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Optimizing grafted watermelons spacing for yield and preventing Fusarium Wilt

Applied Research

Haley Sater
Agent Associate – Agriculture and Food Systems
University of Maryland Extension
Salisbury

Abstract

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Niveum, poses a significant threat to watermelon production in Maryland, with limited fungicide options available. Grafted seedless watermelons offer a promising solution. University of Maryland Extension conducted trials evaluating the performance of grafted watermelons under fusarium pressure, identifying Carolina Strongback as a resilient rootstock. However, grafted seedless plants cost significantly more than traditional seedless plants, but because they exhibit more vigor than traditional seedless plants they may not need to be planted at the same density. This study focuses on the impact of plant spacing on yield, using grafted seedless plants where Fascination was used as the scion and Carolina Strongback as the rootstock. Experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 in two Counties in Maryland, St. Mary’s on the Western Shore, and Wicomico County on the Eastern Shore. For both sites, both years transplants were grown in plastic with drip in a RCBD design with 4 blocks.  There were three treatment levels of spacing near, medium, and far. Results from 2022 showed at both sites the medium spacing treatment of 6' between plants yielded the highest. However, in 2023 no statistical differences in yield were observed between treatments at the Wicomico site and the closest spaced treatment yielded the highest at the St. Mary’s site. Both years, it was found that the farther spaced treatments yielded more pounds of melon per plant because the melons were statistically larger than those in the closer spaced treatments. Additionally, we found that the farther spaced treatments were ready to harvest earlier than the closer spaced melons with higher population density.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Haley Sater, Benjamin Beale , Alan Leslie
  1. Sater, H. Agriculture Agent: Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Maryland Extension , Maryland, 21801
  2. Beale , B. Agriculture Agent: Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 20650
  3. Leslie, A. Center Director of the Maryland Research and Education Centers, University of Maryland Extension , Maryland, 20742