Watermelon
Publications
A Review of Watermelon Production and Price Trends from 2010 to 2021
FE1137/FE1137by Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Kevin Athearn, and Craig FreyJune 23, 2023Eight states produce most US watermelons. Most of the fruit (almost 80%) are grown in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas, with Florida leading in domestic production. In 2019, Florida’s watermelon output accounted for 25.2% of total US production, 24.7% of national watermelon acreage, and 29.6% of the overall US crop value. The value of Florida's watermelon output accounted for 13.2% of the state's total vegetable production. This publication provides information on both seeded and seedless conventional watermelon acreage, volume, and pricing for California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas from 2010 through 2021. It is one of a series illustrating trends in Florida’s five most economically important specialty crops, excluding citrus: tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons, sweet corn, and strawberries. This information will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in specialty crop commodities trends.
Beekeeping: Watermelon Pollination
AA091/ENY-154 by Malcolm T. Sanford and Jamie EllisJune 20, 2022In an effort to more widely disseminate information on optimizing watermelon pollination, this paper presents an overview of the introductory material on honey bee management and the section on pollination agreements and services in the Agriculture Handbook Num. 496, "Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crop Plants," authored by S.E. McGregor and published by the Agriculture Research Service, USDA, in 1976, which is no longer available.
Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Watermelon
PI031/CIR1236 by Wael M. Elwakil, Nicholas, S. Dufault, Joshua H. Freeman, and Mark A. MosslerJanuary 20, 2022A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems
Watermelon Production Budget for North Florida
FE1104/FE1104by Kevin Athearn, Marina Burani Arouca, Robert C. Hochmuth, Josh H. Freeman, Nicholas Dufault, Benjamin Broughton, Tatiana Sanchez, Mark Warren, Luke Harlow, and Henry T. PittmanDecember 3, 2021This publication describes a sample watermelon production budget for a spring season in north Florida. We estimate costs for fixed assets, equipment operation, labor, materials, services, harvesting and marketing. We also estimate yield and potential returns. A budget summary and sensitivity table are provided. A spreadsheet that can serve as a budget template accompanies the manuscript.
Watermelon, Seedless—Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf.
MV152/HS685 by James M. StephensNovember 6, 2018Seedless watermelons are sterile hybrids that develop fruits, but no seeds. The seeds for growing them are produced by crossing a normal watermelon with one that has been changed genetically by treatment with a chemical called colchicine. The seeds from this cross will produce plants that, when pollinated with pollen from normal plants, produce seedless melons.
Related IFAS Blog Posts
Petiole Sap Testing as a Best Management Practice in the Suwannee Valley
Sydney WilliamsApril 8th, 2024UF/IFAS Extension agents are always looking for ways to help their growers be as environmentally and economically sustainable as possible. We achieve this goal by applying Best Management Practices (BMP) and supporting technologies as they become available. The purchase of BMP demonstration tools, including petiole sap testing meters for nitrate-nitrogen and potassium (LAQUA Meters), allowed […]
Controlled-release fertilizer project nets positive results for north Florida watermelon growers
Bob HochmuthJanuary 24th, 2024A pilot project aimed to improve nitrogen use efficiency through new fertilizer technology used the “4R’s” (Right source, Right rate, Right place, and Right time) as well as irrigation management to introduce controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on active watermelon farms.
On-farm Extension demonstrations evaluate the use of controlled-release fertilizers compared to conventional fertilizers in watermelons
Bob HochmuthJanuary 18th, 2024These UF/IFAS Research and Extension demonstrations were conducted during the spring of 2020 and 2021 comparing controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) to conventional fertilizer programs in watermelon production.
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