2016 North Carolina Melon Cultivar Evaluations. Hort. Series # 216

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2 2016 North Carolina Melon Cultivar Evaluations Hort. Series # 216 Principle Investigators Jonathan R. Schultheis Keith D. Starke Professor and Extension Specialist, Research Associate, Vegetables Vegetables Department of Horticultural Science Department of Horticultural Science N.C. State University N.C. State University Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC General Cultural Practices All melon trials were grown using recommended practices for commercial melon production in North Carolina. All plots in the study were under black plastic mulch and fertigated with drip irrigation. Furthermore, pesticides used on all plots were chemicals labeled for use on that crop, (2016 North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual, ( Acknowledgments We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Phillip Winslow (Superintendent) and Chris Lee (Horticulture Crops Supervisor), Cunningham Research Station, Kinston, NC, as well as, the personnel at the research station for their help to establish, maintain, and harvest the cultivar evaluation trials. We want to also acknowledge the following summer research interns for their assistance with the trials: Steven Bajorek, Elizabeth Indemaur, Logan Haislip and Matt Hooper. The cooperation and support of the following seed companies is also greatly appreciated: Bayer Cropscience; DP Seeds, LLC; Hollar Seeds; Origene Seeds; Rijk Zwaan USA Inc.; Seminis; Syngenta Seeds, Inc.; US Agriseeds and United Genetics. Disclaimer This publication presents data from the cultivar evaluation trials conducted during Information in this report is believed to be reliable but should not be relied upon as a sole source of information. Limited accompanying detail is included but excludes some pertinent information, which may aid interpretation. i

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENT COVER PAGE, Title, Principle Investigators, Cooperators, Acknowledgments and Disclaimer... i TABLE OF CONTENTS... ii 2016 Muskmelon and specialty melon cultural practices, Cunningham Research Station, Kinston, NC MUSKMELON Figure 1 Muskmelon photographs; Table 1 Muskmelon cultivar yield by weight per acre and average fruit weight for early harvests Table 2 Muskmelon cultivar yield by number per acre and average fruit weight for early harvests Table 3 Muskmelon cultivar percent yield by category for early harvests Table 4 Muskmelon cultivar percent number by category for early harvests Table 5 Muskmelon cultivar yield by weight per acre and average fruit weight for middle harvests Table 6 Muskmelon cultivar yield by number per acre and average fruit weight for middle harvests Table 7 Muskmelon cultivar percent yield by category for middle harvests Table 8 Muskmelon cultivar percent number by category for middle harvests Table 9 Muskmelon cultivar yield by weight per acre and average fruit weight for late harvests Table 10 Muskmelon cultivar yield by number per acre and average fruit weight for late harvests Table 11 Muskmelon cultivar percent yield by category for late harvests Table 12 Muskmelon cultivar percent number by category for late harvests Table 13 Muskmelon cultivar cumulative yield by weight per acre and average fruit weight Table 14 Muskmelon cultivar cumulative yield by number of fruit per acre Table 15 Muskmelon cultivar cumulative percent yield by category Table 16 Muskmelon cultivar cumulative percent number by category Table 17 Muskmelon cultivar percentage harvested among harvest intervals Table 18 Muskmelon descriptive characteristics and interior fruit quality ii

4 2016 Muskmelon Cultigen Trial; Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Financial Support, Cunningham Research Station, Kinston, NC Introduction Growers in the United States reported an increase of 8,300 acres for cantaloupe production in 2013 and this brought the total cantaloupe acreage to 74,730. However, the total value of the cantaloupe/muskmelon (orange flesh melons) crop was reported at $319 million in 2013, a decrease of $6 million from the previous year when the crop was valued at $325 million. Further reporting reflected seasonal fluctuations in domestic cantaloupe prices, however, they have shown a moderate decline from their price peak of 0.25 per lb in 1980 to a season-average of 0.18 per lb in 2013 ( In North Carolina the acreage for cantaloupe/muskmelon production has not been published in recent years, although, it is estimated that 3,000 4,000 acres are grown in the state. The majority of the melons grown in the state over the last 20 years are the eastern type with Athena being the principle cultivar produced. In addition to the eastern type cantaloupe/muskmelon, other orange flesh melons being grown on much smaller acreage include Extended Shelf Life (ESL) or Long Shelf Life (LSL) melons, often termed Harper melons; and a third type termed Italian (Tuscan) melons. The Extended or Long Shelf Life melons, as the name suggests, will hold for a longer period than the eastern type melons. However, it can be more difficult to determine readiness on ESL/LSL melons and this has delayed willingness from growers to move into larger scale production of these melons. Flesh firmness and sweetness tend to be greater in ESL/LSL melons when compared to the eastern melon types. The Italian (Tuscan) type melons tend to split easier than the ESL/LSL or eastern types and more intense management of the crop harvest may be necessary in order to minimize fruit loss due to splitting. In spite of these weaknesses with ESL/LSL and Italian (Tuscan) type melons, North Carolina growers have had some success in producing and marketing these newer melon types. In 2016 several new cultigens were evaluated in our melon field trial and we had a total of 21 advanced lines or cultivar entries (cultigens) from 9 seed companies. These entries were evaluated for yield, earliness, and various other qualities. The entries were as follows: Seed Company Rijk Zwaan Seminis Syngenta Bayer CS DP Seed Hollar Seed Origene United Genetics US Agriseed DuraWest Napoli Advanced Line or Cultivar (Cultigen) Caribbean King HSR 4414 Re-Start SVMF 5196 Aphrodite UGR USAMR Maxi-East NUN NUN Sweet East Tasty Sherbet Santa Monica Beach Athena Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) UGR UGR USAMR

5 Materials and Methods In February and March commercial seed companies were contacted to obtain seed for the muskmelon cultigen evaluation trial. Seed were sown into 72 cell Poly trays to grow transplants (Hummert Int.; Earth City, MO) on 14 April The planting medium used was a Fine Germinating Mix, a commercial soilless mix (SunGrow, Agawam, MA). A complete fertilizer ( at 600 lbs/ac) was broadcast applied over the entire area that was planted on 14 April. Telone II fumigant (6.5 gal/ac) was soil injected in tandem with laying black polyethylene plastic mulch (0.70 mil thick high density plastic film, 48 inches wide; B.B. Hobbs, Clinton, NC) on 27 April. Herbicide products, Dual (1.5 pints/ac) and Sinbar (3 oz/ac), were applied to row middles for pre-emergent weed control on 10 May. Muskmelon transplants were approximately 3 weeks old when placed in a hardening greenhouse for 7 days prior to being established in the field on 11 May. A starter fertilizer solution was applied at transplant (0.5 lb/50 gal H 2 O of fertilizer, water soluble). Plot size was one row with 10 plants per plot (20 ft) with in-row spacing of 2 feet and between row spacing of 5 feet. Field arrangement for the muskmelon cultigen trial was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Plots with missing plants were replanted approximately 7 days after transplanting to achieve 100% stand, in most cases. Drip irrigation was utilized (NETAFIM, 12 inch spacing, 0.24 gal/hr; NETAFIM, Tel Aviv, Israel) throughout the growing season. Fertigation, using a liquid fertilizer, was initiated 15 days after planting and applied weekly, thereafter. The first application of liquid fertilizer (2 gal) was applied through the drip on 26 May and the last application (1 gal) was applied 16 August. In this trial fertilizer was applied either preplant or through fertigation. Total amount of fertilizer applied through fertigation for the season was 60 lbs/ac of N and 120 lbs/ac K 2 O. The total amount of fertilizer applied for the entire growing season was 120 lbs of N, 60 lbs/ac of P 2 O 5 and 180 lbs/ac of K 2 O. Insecticides were applied every 7 to 10 days as a preventative measure beginning 17 May and again on the following dates: 20 and 27 May 2016; 14 and 24 June; 1, 14 and 20 July; 5 and 11 August The following products were alternated during consecutive spray applications to avoid potential resistance development in insect or mite species: Asana, Venom, Permethrin, Brigade, Sevin and Abamectin. Similarly, the following fungicide products were applied; Kocide, Pristine, Gavel, Zampro, Quadris, Procure, Rally, Tanos, Prevacur Flex, Pristine and Presidio; and applied on the following dates; 27 May 2016; 14 and 24 June 2016; 1, 14 and 20 July 2016; 5 and 11 August There were a total of 16 harvests for the muskmelon evaluation trial. The first harvest was 15 July 2016 and the sixteenth harvest was 19 August Harvests were made three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each fruit was harvested when ripe and weighed. Evaluations of each melon entry included: yield, fruit size, production earliness, soluble solids (using a digital refractometer), fruit shape and size, exterior and interior descriptions (rind, length/width ratio, and flesh color), and interior flesh firmness. Flesh firmness was measured (recorded in pounds) by using a Penetrometer FT 011 with a 5/16 plunger tip, (QA Supplies LLC, Norfolk, VA). Melon samples were obtained by cutting the center of the fruit, lengthwise, from the fruit s stem end to blossom end. Pressure measurements were then taken between the cavity and rind (near fruit bottom or ground spot and one from the top of the fruit) on each half of the cut fruit. The reported measures on flesh firmness are an average of the two sample areas from five fruit per plot (10 total fruit halves were measured for flesh firmness per plot). Most of the quality measurements were taken when the melons became ripe between the first and fourth harvests for a given cultigen. The field and growing conditions throughout the harvest period were normal to slightly wet for this trial. There was average to above average rainfall throughout the month of July and August, as well as, optimal ambient temperatures that allowed for good plant growth and fruit set within all the cultigen plots. Results In the early harvests (1-5) entries that yielded over 500 cwt were Aphrodite, HSR 4414, Astound (ME 3716), UGR and Tasty Sherbet (Table 1). The highest yielding entries based on fruit numbers that exceeded 7,500 per acre for early harvests (1-5) were Aphrodite, Athena, HSR 4414, Astound (ME 3716), Accolade (ME 3743), Santa Monica Beach, UGR , UGR , UGR , Napoli and Tasty Sherbet (Table 2). The 3 to 7 lb. size category had the highest percentage of fruit produced from the early yielding entries. This is the most desirable and marketable size category for muskmelons (Table 3 & 4). The highest yielding entries for fruit weight in the midseason harvests (6-10) were USAMR 15331, Re-Start, USAMR 15332, NUN 26181, NUN and UGR The entries that yielded the highest (> 5,000 fruit number) in the mid-season harvests (6-10) were Re-start, USAMR 15331, NUN 26181, NUN 26191, UGR and USAMR Most fruit produced from these entries were between 3 to 7 lbs.; with the exception of USAMR which, combined, had 82% of its fruit in the 7.1 to 9 and >9 lb. size categories, respectively (Tables 5 & 6). Fruit in the >9 lb. size category are too large for most 2

6 growers producing muskmelons in North Carolina and likely for most other areas in the U.S. producing muskmelon for shipping (Tables 7 & 8). Some of the latest yielding (harvests 11-16) melon entries were Aphrodite, Astound (3716), Accolade (3743), Tasty Sherbet and NUN 26191(Table 9). Average fruit size for these entries were 7.2, 6.3, 5.6, 5.2 and 4.7 lbs. (Table 9). The highest yielding entries across all harvests, in terms of tonnage (>800 cwt) were Accolade (ME 3743), Aphrodite, Astound (ME 3743), USAMR 15332, UGR and Tasty Sherbet (Table 13). The melon entries that produced the greatest number of fruits across all harvests were NUN 26181, UGR , NUN 26191, Accolade (ME 3716) and Tasty Sherbet (Table 14). Melon entries with the highest average fruit weights across all harvests (16) were USAMR 15332, 7.6 lbs. followed by Aphrodite, 7.2 lbs. and finally, Sweet East, 6.9 lbs. (Table 13). The following melon entries had the lowest average fruit weights across all harvests: NUN 26181, 3.6 lbs. followed by NUN 26191, 4.5 lbs. and finally, Napoli, 4.6 lbs. (Table 13). Financial Support In addition to the seed companies, this program has been supported by the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. 3

7 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 4

8 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 5

9 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 6

10 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. Astound Accolade 7

11 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 8

12 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 9

13 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 10

14 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 11

15 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 12

16 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 13

17 Figure 1. Eastern Melon Pictures. 14

18 Table 1. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit weight, (x 100), per acre for early 1 season harvests 1-5. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cumulative Avg. Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Totals 2 Wt. 3 Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR * UGR USAMR * 0* USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start 0* * Average LSD (0.05) Early harvests (1-5) : July (52-62 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. 3 Average fruit weights were determined using total cumulative weights and numbers from respective harvests. 15

19 Table 2. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit number per acre for early 1 season harvests 1-5. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Cumulative Totals 2 Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* 4901 NUN * 0* 5009 Santa Monica Beach SVMF * 7187 Sweet East UGR * 9257 UGR * UGR USAMR * 0* 1960 USAMR Napoli * 9801 Tasty Sherbet Re-Start 0* * Average LSD (0.05) Early harvests (1-5) : July (52-62 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. ** Each number for fruit size category and cumulative total is rounded to the nearest whole number. ** 16

20 Table 3. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 of fruit weight per indicated size category - Early harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR * UGR USAMR * 0* USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start 0* * Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 17

21 Table 4. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 of fruit number per indicated size category - Early harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR * UGR USAMR * 0* USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start 0* * 0 Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 18

22 Table 5. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit weight, (x 100), per acre for mid 1 season harvests Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cumulative Avg. Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Totals 2 Wt. 3 Aphrodite 0* Athena * Caribbean King 0* * DuraWest * HSR * * Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) * Accolade (ME 3743) * NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * 0* Sweet East 0* * UGR * UGR UGR * USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet 0* * Re-Start 0* * Average LSD (0.05) Mid harvests (6-10) : 27July - 5 August (64-73 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. 3 Average fruit weights were determined using total cumulative weights and numbers from respective harvests. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 19

23 Table 6. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit number per acre for mid 1 season harvests Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite 0* Athena * 1089 Caribbean King 0* * 3594 DuraWest * 3594 HSR * * 1089 Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) * 2614 Accolade (ME 3743) * 1525 NUN * 0* 7623 NUN * 5772 Santa Monica Beach SVMF * 0* 762 Sweet East 0* * 1634 UGR * 5445 UGR UGR * 3376 USAMR * 8494 USAMR Napoli * 1525 Tasty Sherbet 0* * 436 Re-Start 0* * 9039 Average LSD (0.05) Mid harvests (6-10) : 27 July - 5 August (64-73 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. ** Each number for fruit size category and cumulative total is rounded to the nearest whole number. ** * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. Cumulative Totals 2 20

24 Table 7. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 of fruit weight per indicated size category - Mid Season harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite 0* Athena * Caribbean King 0* * DuraWest * HSR * * Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) * Accolade (ME 3743) * NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * 0* Sweet East 0* * UGR * UGR UGR * USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet 0* * Re-Start 0* * Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 21

25 Table 8. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 fruit number per indicated size category - Mid Season harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite 0* Athena * Caribbean King 0* * DuraWest * HSR * * Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) * Accolade (ME 3743) * NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * 0* Sweet East 0* * UGR * UGR UGR * USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet 0* * Re-Start 0* * Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 22

26 Table 9. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit weight, (x 100), per acre for late 1 season harvests Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cumulative Avg. Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Totals 2 Wt. 3 Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King * DuraWest 0* * HSR * 56 0* 0* Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach * SVMF * 19 0* 0* Sweet East 0* UGR * 0* UGR * UGR * 0* USAMR * * USAMR * 39 0* Napoli * * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * 0* Average LSD (0.05) Late harvests (11-16) : 8-22 August (76-93 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. 3 Average fruit weights were determined using total cumulative weights and numbers from respective harvests. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 23

27 Table 10. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields, Cumulative fruit number per acre for late 1 season harvests Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Cumulative Totals 2 Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King * DuraWest 0* * 980 HSR * * 0* 1089 Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* 4683 NUN * 0* 4792 Santa Monica Beach * 2287 SVMF * 436 0* 0* 436 Sweet East 0* UGR * 0* 1198 UGR * 2287 UGR * 109 0* 0* 109 USAMR * * 1089 USAMR * Napoli * 0* 2287 Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * 0* 1742 Average LSD (0.05) Late harvests (11-16) :8-22 August (76-93 days after planting). 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. ** Each number for fruit size category and cumulative total is rounded to the nearest whole number. ** 24

28 Table 11. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 of fruit weight per indicated size category - Late harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King * 21 DuraWest 0* * HSR * 100 0* 0* Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0 NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach * SVMF * 100 0* 0* Sweet East 0* UGR * 0* UGR * UGR * 0* USAMR * * USAMR * 76 0* 24 Napoli * 0* Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * 0* Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 25

29 Table 12. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 fruit number per indicated size category - Late harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King * 11 DuraWest 0* * HSR * 100 0* 0* Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * 0* Santa Monica Beach * SVMF * 100 0* 0* Sweet East 0* UGR * 0* UGR * UGR * 100 0* 0* USAMR * * USAMR * 11 Napoli * 0* Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * 0* Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 26

30 Table 13. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields 1, Cumulative fruit weight, (x 100), per acre across all 16 harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cumulative Avg. Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Totals 2 Wt. 3 Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR UGR USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * Average LSD (0.05) Melons were harvested 3 times per week. 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. 3 Average fruit weights were determined using total cumulative weights and numbers from respective harvests. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 27

31 Table 14. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields 1, Cumulative fruit number per acre across all 16 harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF Sweet East UGR * UGR UGR USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * Average LSD (0.05) Cumulative Totals Melons were harvested 3 times per week. 2 Cumulative total includes all fruit size categories. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. ** Each number for fruit size category and cumulative total is rounded to the nearest whole number. ** 28

32 Table 15. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 of fruit weight per indicated size category - Cumulative harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR UGR USAMR * USAMR Napoli * Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 29

33 Table 16. Muskmelon cultigen trial yields; Percent 1 fruit number per indicated size category - Cumulative harvests. Kinston, NC, Fruit size category Cultivar < 3 lb 3-7 lb lb > 9 lb Aphrodite Athena Caribbean King DuraWest HSR Maxi-East Astound (ME 3716) Accolade (ME 3743) NUN * 0* NUN * Santa Monica Beach SVMF * Sweet East UGR * UGR UGR USAMR * USAMR Napoli Tasty Sherbet Re-Start * Average Percentages for each fruit size category for each cultivar were rounded to the nearest whole number. * Data entered as zeros were not included in statistical analysis. 30

34 Table 17. Muskmelon cultigen trial percentage of fruit number harvested among varying harvest intervals. Kinston, NC, Pecentage harvested among harvest periods Cultivar Company Early Harvests 1 Mid Harvests 2 Late Harvests 3 Aphrodite Syngenta Athena Syngenta Caribbean King Rijk Zwaan DuraWest Bayer Cropscience HSR 4414 Hollar Seed Maxi-East Bayer Cropscience Astound (ME 3716) Syngenta Accolade (ME 3743) Syngenta NUN Bayer Cropscience NUN Bayer Cropscience Santa Monica Beach Rijk Zwaan SVMF 5196 Seminis Sweet East Bayer Cropscience UGR United Genetics UGR United Genetics UGR United Genetics USAMR US Agriseed USAMR US Agriseed Napoli DP Seed Tasty Sherbet DP Seed Re-Start Origene Average Early harvests (1-5) : July (52-62 days after planting). 2 Mid harvests (6-10) : 27 July - 5 August (64-73 days after planting). 3 Late harvests (11-16) : 8-22 August (76-93 days after planting). 31

35 Table 18. Eastern muskmelon hybrid cultivar trial. Descriptive characteristics and interior fruit quality. Kinston, N.C., Netting Netting Stem Stem Flesh Flesh Foliage Cultivar Company SS 2 Sutures 3 Density 4 Type 5 Scar 6 Splitting 7 LW 8 Color 9 Firmness 10 Cavity 11 Shape 12 Size 13 Cover 14 Aphrodite Syngenta Athena Syngenta Caribbean King Rijk Zwaan DuraWest Bayer Cropscience HSR 4414 Hollar Seed Maxi-East Bayer Cropscience Astound (ME 3716) Syngenta Accolade (ME 3743) Syngenta NUN Bayer Cropscience NUN Bayer Cropscience Santa Monica Beach Rijk Zwaan SVMF 5196 Seminis Sweet East Bayer Cropscience UGR United Genetics UGR United Genetics UGR United Genetics USAMR US Agriseed USAMR US Agriseed Napoli DP Seed Tasty Sherbet DP Seed Re-Start Origene Average LSD (0.05) Most measurements were obtained from fruits in harvests LD = Length and diameter ratio, average of 5 melons per replication. 14 Foliage cover: 2 SS = Indicates sweetness, average of 5 melons per replication (20 total). 3 Sutures: 1 = none, 3=moderate, 5 = deep. 4 Netting Density: 1=none, 5=dense. 5 Netting Type: 1 = fine, 5 =thick ropy. 6 Stem Scar: 1 = small, 3=medium, 5 = large (unattractive). 9 Flesh color: 1 = pale orange, 5 = deep orange. 1 = no fruit covered, 10 Flesh Firmness is represented in pounds. 5 = all fruit covered (lush). 11 Cavity: 1=small, 2=medium, 3=large 12 Shape: 1=all fruit are various, 3 = majority are the same, 5 = all fruit same shape. 13 Size: 1=all fruit are various, 3 = majority are the same, 5 = all fruit same size. 7 Stem Splitting: 1= none, 5 = extensive (unmarketable). 32