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INTRODUCTION
Watermelon (Citrullus lantatus) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae which includes squash, pumpkin
and cucumber. It is a popular dessert vegetable, with year round availability.
Watermelons vary in shape; from globular to oblong. External rind colour varies from light to dark green
and may be solid, striped or marbled. The pulp colour of most commercial varieties is red.
The fruit is generally eaten raw. Watermelon has a very high water content (93 ml/ 100g edible portion).
It contains carbohydrates (5mg), calcium (8mg), phosphorous (9 mg), ascorbic acid (8 mg) and vitamins
(0.64 g) per 100 g of edible portion.
Varieties
The leading variety (cultivar) grown in Guyana is the MickyLee, which has a round shape, solid, light
green skin colour, and typically weighs between 2.3 and 3.6 kg (5 8 lbs). Lesser amounts of the large,
elongated light green skinned Charleston Grey, are grown. Another cultivar produced on a smaller
scale is the Sugar Baby.
Environmental Requirements
Climate
Watermelons grow and produce fruits ideally during dry, sunny periods. Excessive rainfall and high
humidity reduce productivity by affecting flowering and encouraging the development of leaf diseases.
Elevations up to 1000 m normally provide suitable conditions for growth although excessively high
temperatures of more than 300 C may be harmful, reducing the degree of fertilization. Stable day night
temperatures promote a rapid growth rate.
Soil
Watermelons are well adapted to soils that are well drained, high in organic matter, with a good moisture
retaining capacity. Crops are also frequently grown in low rainfall areas on soils which are relatively low
in fertility. Well drained sandy loams are considered ideal for watermelon.
Watermelons can tolerate some degree of soil acidity. However, the pH of the soil should not be below
5.5 for good yields to be obtained. Liming at the recommended rate, should be done in the planting holes
or mounds, if the soil pH is below 5.5.
Cultivation
Propagation and planting
Seeds in groups of 1-3 are sown 2 -4 cm deep in trenches, on mounds or prepared planting holes at 1 .22.0 in each way; seedlings are later thinned to 1 per station. Seedlings may be raised in containers and
transplanted when 10-14 cm high. Seed required per hectare is 2.5-4 kg for a density of 5000-10000
plants/ha.
Irrigation
This should he regular throughout the growing period.
Fertilizer Application
A dressing of NPK should be applied to mounds or planting, followed by applications of a nitrogenous
fertilizer at intervals up a flowering time. Alternatively liquid manure may be applied up to fruit set.
Insect/ Pest Management
The pests of watermelons are similar these of pumpkins. An exhaustive description of these pests is
provided in the manual A Guide to Pumpkin Cultivation and Post Harvest Handling. Table 1 provides
a summary of pest that attack watermelons, damage caused and control methods.
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Table 1: Insect pests of watermelon

Scientific Name

Common Name

Damage

Control

Aphis gossypii

Melon or Cotton
aphid

Sucks sap and

weakens
plant.
Leaves curl, shrivel
and
may
turn
brown and die.
Secretion of honey
dew causes sooty
mould to develop.

Biological use of
ladybird beetle
Chemical Fastac,
Decis, karate (1.5
ml/ L water) or
Sevin 85 wp (1.5g/
L)

Diaphania
hyalinata

Pickleworm
melon worm

or

Caterpillars feed on
leaves and flowers.
Sometimes
they
bore
into
the
developing.

Use of appropriate
contact insecticide
such as malathion
(2 ml/l of water)

Diabrotica seporata

Leaf cutting beetle

Developing
seedlings
are
affected by adults.
Leaves
become
skeletonized.

Use of appropriate
contact insecticide
such as malathion
(2 ml/l of water)

Thrips palni

Thrips

Sucks sap of leaves

which
become
scorched.
Infestation or most
severe
during
sunny weather.

1. Crop rotation
2. Chemical
Regent (10- 30
ml/L water),
Vydate L (2.5 ml/
L water) or Admire

Bemisia tabaci

White fly

Sucks palnt sap,

leaves
become
chlorotic and are
shedded
prematurely

Cultural keep
farm free of weeds
Chemical Use
soap
based
products or other
chemicals such as
Pegasus or Vydate l
at
the
recommended rates

Liriomyza sp.

Leaf miner

Larva
feeds
between
leaf
surfaces resulting
in chinese writing

Chemical control
using
Trigaul,
Admire, Pilarking,
Vertimex,
Abamectin
and
Newmectin at the
recommended
rates.

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Disease Management
Diseases that affect watermelons are similar to those of pumpkins.
Farmers have reported recently a specific problem that they are
encountering with watermelons. It was determined that the
problem is known as Bacterial Blotch
The symptom of bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon is a dark
olive green stain or blotch on the upper surface of the fruit (Figure
1). The blotch is first noticeable as a small water-soaked area,
less than 1 cm in diameter, but it rapidly expands to cover much
of the fruit surface in 710 days. As the blotch increases in size,
the area around the initial infection site becomes necrotic. In
advanced stages of lesion development, the epidermis of the
rind ruptures, and frequently a transparent or amber-colored
substance is exuded (Figure 2). Fruit lesions rarely extend into
the flesh of watermelon, but when this occurs, the bacteria
contaminate the seeds. Secondary rotting organisms are
responsible for the ultimate decay and collapse of the fruit. Rapid
expansion of fruit lesions usually occurs during the few weeks
prior to harvest. Bacterial fruit blotch also affects melon, often
resulting in water-soaked pits on the fruit surface, but the disease
is best characterized in watermelon.
The fruit blotch bacterium also infects leaves, although foliage
surrounding infected fruit may appear healthy to the untrained
eye. Leaf lesions are small, dark brown, somewhat angular, and
often inconspicuous. During periods of high humidity, the
margins of leaf lesions often appear water-soaked. The initial
symptom on seedlings is a water-soaked area on the undersides
of the cotyledons (Figure 3). As the cotyledons expand, the lesion becomes necrotic and often extends along the length of the
midrib. Lesions on young true leaves are small and dark brown
and may have chlorotic halos. Seedlings infected with fruit blotch
often do not collapse and die in the greenhouse, but the incidence of foliar symptoms will increase slowly in a warm, moist
environment.

Fig 1. Symptoms of bacterial

fruit blotch

Fig 2. Advanced stage of

lesion development

Causal Organism
The taxonomy of the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch
remains uncertain. The pathogen is a gram-negative, rodFig 3. Leaf symptoms of bacterial
shaped, motile bacterium with single polar flagellum. It was
fruit blotch
described as being very similar but not identical to Pseudomonas
pseudoalcaligenes
Stanier subsp. citrulli.

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Disease Cycle
The bacterial fruit blotch pathogen is seedborne. Internal and external contamination of the seed coat
may occur; however, there is no evidence of infection within the seed. Contaminated seed results in
infected seedlings, which serve as important sources of secondary inoculum, especially in transplant
production facilities, where warm, humid conditions, overhead irrigation, and a canopy of susceptible
plant tissue favor pathogen dispersal and disease increase. Secondary infections occur after bacteria gain
entrance into plant tissues via natural openings, such as stomates. In the field, the bacteria produced on
lesion surfaces are rain-splashed onto newly developed leaves and neighboring plants.
Although a very high proportion of leaves on a plant may exhibit symptoms of bacterial fruit blotch, the
severity of symptom expression on individual leaves is very slight. Infection does not result in wilt,
defoliation, vine blight, or vine collapse. There is no evidence of systemic infection; attempts to isolate
the bacterium from surface-sterilized vines or peduncles of infected fruit have been unsuccessful. Leaf
lesions are most important as a primary source of bacteria for fruit infection. Lesions on mature fruit are
an additional source of secondary inoculum in the field. Bacteria associated with fruit infections filter
down through the flesh of the watermelon, where they become associated with the seed.
In addition to overwintering contaminated seed, the pathogen may overwinter in infested rind. Infested
crop residue, volunteer watermelon plants from contaminated seed, and infected wild cucurbits, especially
wild citron, are important potential sources of primary inoculum in a subsequent crop season. Seed
transmission has also been demonstrated in citron.

Harvest Maturity Indices

Several different maturity indicators can be used to determine when to harvest watermelon fruit.
Watermelons should be harvested at full maturity to ensure that good quality fruit are delivered to the
market. The fruit do not develop internal color or increase in sugar content after being removed from the
vine. Commonly used non-destructive maturity indicators include fruit size, skin color, the amount of
surface shine or waxiness, the color of the ground spot, the sound of the fruit when tapped, and the
condition of the tendril at the first node above the fruit. Each of these individual indicators by themselves
is not a foolproof determinant of fruit ripeness.

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It is advisable to use at least 3 or more of the above indicators to have more confidence in the harvest
maturity state. Growers should also become familiar with the changes in external appearance of the fruit
of the particular cultivar grown as it nears maturity in order to develop more confidence in the best stage
for harvesting. Each cultivar has a known average fruit size, controlled by the genetic make-up of the
cultivar and influenced by environmental conditions. Based on this previously established average fruit
size, the timing of harvest can be approximated. As the fruit approaches harvest maturity the surface may
become a bit irregular and dull rather than glossy. The ground spot (the portion of the melon resting on
the soil) changes from pale white to a creamy yellow at the proper harvest maturity. The ground spot
color is easily revealed by gently rolling the fruit over to one side while still attached to the vine. Very
experienced workers can determine ripeness stage based on the sound
produced when the fruit is thumped or rapped with the knuckles.
Immature fruit will give off a metallic
ringing sound whereas mature fruit will sound dull or hollow. Another
reliable indicator of fruit ripeness is the condition of the tendril (small
curly appendage attached to the fruit stem slightly above the fruit).
As the fruit become mature, the tendril will wilt and change from a
healthy green color to a partially desiccated brown color. Several
destructive indices can be used on randomly selected fruit to predict
harvest maturity of the remaining fruit in the field of similar size.
When the fruit is cut in half longitudinally, the entire flesh should be
well-colored and uniform red (unless it is a yellow-flesh type).
Fig 4. Hand-held refractometer
Immature melons have pink flesh, mature melons have red to dark for determining watermelon soluble
solids
red flesh, and over-mature fruit have reddish-orange flesh. For
content.
seeded cultivars, maturity is reached when the gelatinous covering around
the seed is no longer apparent and the seed coat is hard and either black or brown in color. Melon fruit
that have an abundance of white seeds are not mature. The soluble solids content of the juice is another
commonly used index of harvest maturity. Soluble solids in watermelon consist mostly of sugars. A
soluble solids content in the center of the fruit of at least 10% is an indicator of proper maturity. Soluble
solids is determined by squeezing a few drops of juice on a hand-held refractometer (Figure 4). In
addition, the flesh of mature fruit should be firm, crisp, and free of hollow heart.
Principal Postharvest Diseases
Postharvest diseases are important sources of postharvest loss of watermelons in Guyana. The amount
of disease pressure depends on cultural practices used during production and the local climatic conditions
at harvest. Disease pressure is greater in areas with high rainfall and humidity during production and
harvest.
A number of pathogens may cause postharvest decay of watermelon. The primary defense against the
occurrence of decay is the exclusion of diseased fruit from the marketing chain through careful selection
at harvest and appropriate grading before shipment. Also, holding the fruit at 10C (50F) will slow the
rate of disease development, compared to ambient temperature storage. There are no postharvest fungicide
treatments for watermelon.
Common fungal diseases that cause rind decay after harvest include black rot, anthracnose, Phytophthora
fruit rot, Fusarium, and stem-end rot. The most common postharvest bacterial disease is soft rot.
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Black Rot
Black rot, also known as gummy stem blight, is caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae. Fruit lesions
appear as small water-soaked areas and are nearly circular in shape. They rapidly enlarge to an indefinite
size, up to 10 cm to 15 cm (4-6 inches) in diameter. Mature lesions are sunken, may show a pattern of
concentric rings, and turn black. Lesions in stems and fruit may ooze or bleed an amber plant fluid, hence
the name gummy stem blight. A brown streak may also appear at the blossom end of the fruit.
The pathogen is transmitted from contaminated seed and is spread from plant to plant by splashing rain
or wind. Inoculum is also found on old plant debris. The disease is controlled by planting clean seed in
soils free of watermelon crop debris.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare, is
a common postharvest watermelon disease. Dormant infections
may exist at the time of harvest, with no external evidence of the
disease. During storage, the latent infections may become active
at high temperatures or after exposure to chilling injury inducing
conditions. Disease development is rapid at temperatures between
20C to 30C (68F to 86F). The fungus can penetrate the fruit
surface and wounding is not necessary for infection. Symptoms
of anthracnose include sunken spots on the rind, which eventual
become black (Figure 5). Red or orange colored spores may appear
in the decayed
areas.

Fig 5. Anthracnose decay of

watermelon fruit.

Anthracnose spores are spread by water, insects, or pickers hands. Infection is particularly severe after
prolonged wet periods. A combination of seed treatment, crop rotation, removal of infected debris, and
fungicide applications are necessary for controlling this disease. Protective spray applications of the
fungicide chlorothalonil
should be made when vines start to run and should be continued at 7 to
10 day intervalsduring periods of humid or rainy weather. Also, storage
of the fruit at 10C (50F ) will retard the growth of this fungus.
Phytophthora Fruit Rot
Phytophthora fruit rot is caused by the soilborne fungus, Phytophthora
capsici. The fruit rot will appear as greasy blotches on the outer rind.
A whitish mold is likely to be present on the greasy tissue (Figure 6).
This disease is most likely to occur during or after periods of excessive
rains where water remained in the field. Control of Phytophthora may
be obtained by avoiding planting in low areas. In addition, foliar sprays
Fig 6. Greasy spot and associated
of the systemic fungicide Ridomil provide some protection
whitish mold growth of Phytophthora
against this disease.
infected fruit.

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Fusarium
Fusarium is a soil-borne fungus that attacks the roots, stems, and fruit
of watermelons. The fungus can attack both sound and wounded tissue.
Fruit
symptoms first appear as spots on the underside of the fruit, and
eventually spread to the upper surface. Infected tissue is usually spongy
or corky. Under humid conditions, the fruit may become covered with a
white or pinkish mold (Figure 7). Decay may be shallow or it may extend
deep into the flesh of the fruit. There is usually a sharp separation between
healthy and rotted tissue. The temperature range that favors Fusarium
growth is 22 to 29C (72F to 84F). Use of resistant varieties can
minimize the risk of Fusarium. Rotating the planting site and removing and Fig 7. Fusarium rot on
Sugar Baby watermelon.
destroying all plant debris at the end of each growing season will also
reduce the incidence of the disease. For watermelon, a minimum eight-year planting site rotation is
recommended to avoid Fusarium. This disease may also be spread by
planting previously saved seed that came from contaminated fruit.
Stem-end Rot
Stem end rot is caused by the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The
disease is first seen as a shriveling and drying of the stem followed by
browning of the area around the stem, which progressively enlarges as
the disease develops (Figure 8). The cut flesh is noticeably softened and
lightly browned. If the cut melon is exposed to the air for a few hours,
the diseased areas become black. The disease develops rapidly in the
Fig 8. Symptoms of stem-end rot.
fruit at temperatures greater than or equal to 25C (77F) but slowly
or not at all at 10C (50F). In order to minimize the incidence of this disease, at least 2.5 cm of stem
should remain attached to the fruit at harvest.

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