Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Watermelon
Someone splitting open a watermelon.
view on EDIS
PDF-2013

How to Cite

Elwakil, Wael M., and Mark A. Mossler. 2013. “Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Watermelon: CIR1236/PI031, 8/2013”. EDIS 2013 (8). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pi031-2013.

Abstract

Florida is the only U.S. supplier of watermelons from December to April. Florida watermelons are harvested throughout the year, although the vast majority of production is harvested from May to July. This 26-page fact sheet profiles Florida watermelon crop production and pest management practices. Written by Wael M. Elwakil and Mark A. Mossler, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2013.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi031

https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-pi031-2013
view on EDIS
PDF-2013

References

Adlerz, W. C. 1987. "Cucurbit Potyvirus Transmission by Alate Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) Trapped Alive." Journal of Economic Entomology 80: 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/80.1.87

Adlerz, W. C. 1978. "Secondary Spread of Watermelon Mosaic Virus 2 by Anuraphis middletonii." Journal of Economic Entomology 71: 531-533. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/71.3.531

Bertelsen, D., J. Harwood, F. Hoff, H. Lee, A. Perez, S. Pollack, A. Somwaru, and G. Zepp. 1994. Watermelons: An Economic Assessment of the Feasibility of Providing Multiple Peril Crop Insurance. USDA Economic Research Service, in cooperation with the University of California for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

Brinen, G. 2003. Vegetable Extension agent, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, in communication with the author.

Capinera, J. L. 2011. Banded Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). EENY­093. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in250

Castineiras, A., R. M. Baranowski, and H. Glenn. 1997. "Distribution of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) and Its Prey, Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) within Eggplants in South Florida." Florida Entomologist 80 (2): 211-217. http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/fe802.htm. https://doi.org/10.2307/3495554

Castineiras, A., R. M. Baranowski, and H. Glenn. 1996. "Temperature Response of Two Strains of Ceranisus menes (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Reared on Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)." Florida Entomologist 79 (1): 13-19. http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/fe791.htm. https://doi.org/10.2307/3495749

Castineiras, A., J. E. Peña, R. Duncan, and L. Osborne. 1996. "Potential of Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) as Biological Control Agents of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)." Florida Entomologist 79 (3): 458-461. http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/issue/view/3554

https://doi.org/10.2307/3495597

Chen, Z. X., and D. W. Dickson. 1998. "Review of Pasteuria penetrans: Biology, Ecology, and Biological Control Potential." Journal of Nematology 30 (3): 313-340.

Crop Data Management Systems, Inc. (CDMS). 2017. CDMS Label Search. http://www.cdms.net/

Crow, W. T., and R. A. Dunn. 2012. Introduction to Plant Nematology. ENY­016. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng006

Dufault, N. S. and M. L. Paret. 2017. Watermelon Spray Guide 2017. Online publication accessed on June 2017. http://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/Tutor_files/UF_Watermelon_Spray_Guide_2017_Final.pdf

Dickson, D. W., M. Oostendorp, R. M. Giblin-Davis, and D. J. Mitchell. 1994. "Control of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes by Biological Antagonists." In Pest Management in the Subtropics, Biological Control: A Florida Perspective, edited by D. Rosen, F. D. Bennett, and J. L. Capinera, 575-601. Andover, UK: Intercept.

Dittmar, P. J., and W. M. Stall. 2012. Weed Control in Cucurbit Crops (Muskmelon, Cucumber, Squash, and Watermelon). HS190. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg029.

Dixon, W. N. 1988. White-Fringed Beetles, Graphognathus spp. Entomology Circular 309. Gainesville, FL: FDACS, Division of Plant Industry.

Esser, R. P. 1976. Sting Nematodes, Devastating Parasites of Florida Crops. Nematology Circular No. 18. Gainesville: FDACS, Division of Plant Industry.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). 2012. Florida Agriculture by the Numbers. Tallahassee, FL: FDACS. http://www.florida­agriculture.com/brochures/P­01304.pdf

Frank, J. H. 1994. "Biological Control of Pest Mole Crickets." In Pest Management in the Subtropics Biological Control: A Florida Perspective, edited by D. Rosen, F. D. Bennett, and J. L. Capinera, 343-352. Andover, UK: Intercept.

Frank, J. H., T. R. Fasulo, and D. E. Short. 1998. "Alternative Methods of Mole Cricket Control." In Mole Cricket Knowledgebase. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Frankle, W. G., D. L. Hopkins, and R. E. Stall. 1993. "Ingress of the Watermelon Fruit Blotch Bacterium into Fruit." Plant Disease 77: 1090-1092. https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-77-1090

Freeman, J. H., G. E. Vallad, and P. J. Dittmar. 2016. Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida, 2016-2017. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv292

Gevens, A. J., P. D. Roberts, R. J. McGovern, and T. A. Kucharek. 2011. Vegetable Diseases Caused by Phytophthora capsici in Florida. SP159. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh045.

Gray, D. J. n.d. Transgenic Seedless Watermelon Resistant to Viruses. T-Star Caribbean Program in Tropical/Subtropical Agricultural Research.

Hewitt, T. D. 1996. "Economic Considerations for Direct Seeding vs. Transplanting of Watermelons." Citrus & Vegetable Magazine 60 (7): 38-40.

Hewlett, T. E., R. Cox, D. W. Dickson, and R. A. Dunn. 1994. "Occurrence of Pasteuria spp. in Florida." Supplement to the Journal of Nematology 26 (4S): 616-619.

Hochmuth, G. 1992. "Fertilizer Management for Watermelons." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard. SP­113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Hochmuth, G., and G. Elmstrom. 1992. "Cultural Practices." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard. SP­113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Hochmuth, G. J., W. M. Stall, T. D. Hewitt, and K. C. Ruppert. 1997. Alternative Opportunities for Small Farms: Watermelon Production Review. RF-AC029. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Hochmuth, R. 2003. Vegetable Extension agent, UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Research and Education Center, in communication with the author.

Hopkins, D. 1991. "Chemical Control of Bacterial Fruit Blotch of Watermelon." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 104: 270-272.

Hopkins, D. 2003. Plant pathologist, UF/IFAS Central Florida Research and Education Center, in communication with the author.

Hopkins, D., J. D. Cucuzza, and J. C. Watterson. 1996. "Wet Seed Treatment for the Control of Bacterial Fruit Blotch of Watermelon." Plant Disease 80: 529-532. https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-80-0529

Hopkins, D. L., R. P. Larkin, and G. W. Elmstrom. 1987. "Cultivar-Specific Induction of Soil Suppressiveness to Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon." Phytopathology 77: 607-611. https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-77-607

Hopkins, D. L., R. J. Lobinske, and R. P. Larkin. 1992. "Selection for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum Race 2 in Monocultures of Watermelon Cultivars Resistant to Fusarium Wilt." Phytopathology 82: 290-293. https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-82-290

Johnson, F. A. 1992. "Pollination." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard. SP-113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Johnson, F. A., D. E. Short, and J. L. Castner. 2005. Sweetpotato/Silverleaf Whitefly Life Stages and Damage. SP-90. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Kucharek, T., J. P. Jones, D. Hopkins, and J. Strandberg. 1992. Some Diseases of Vegetable and Agronomic Crops Caused by Fusarium in Florida. Circular 1025. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Larkin, R. P., D. L. Hopkins, and F. N. Martin. 1993. "Effect of Successive Watermelon Plantings on Fusarium oxysporum and Other Microorganisms in Soils Suppressive and Conducive to Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon." Phytopathology 83: 1097-1105. https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-83-1097

Larkin, R. P., D. L. Hopkins, and F. N. Martin. 1996. "Suppression of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon by Nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum and Other Microorganisms Recovered from a Disease-Suppressive Soil." Phytopathology 86: 812-819. https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-86-812

Latin, R. X., and D. L. Hopkins. 1995. "Bacterial Fruit Blotch of Watermelon: The Hypothetical Exam Question Becomes Reality." Plant Disease 79 (8): 761-765. https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-79-0761

Locascio, S. J., W. M. Stall, S. M. Olson, and C. S. Vavrina. 1989. "Watermelon Production as Influenced by Herbicide Combination and Cultivation." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 102: 332-335.

Lorenzi, H. J., and L. S. Jeffery. 1987. Weeds of the United States and Their Control. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.

Maynard, D. 2003. Horticultural scientist, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, in communication with the author.

Maynard, D. N. 1996. Growing Seedless Watermelon. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Maynard, D. N. 1992. "Watermelon Varieties." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard, 3-4. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Maynard, D. N., and D. L. Hopkins. 1999. "Watermelon Fruit Disorders." HortTechnology 9 (2): 155-161.

https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.9.2.155

McAuslane, H. J., H. A. Smith. 2015. Sweetpotato Whitefly B biotype, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aleroididae). EENY-129. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in286

McSorley, R. 1999. "Nonchemical Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes." The IPM Practitioner 21 (2): 1-7.

Miller, J. F., A. D. Worsham, L. L. McCormick, D. E. Davis, R. Cofer, and J. A. Smith. 1975. Weeds of the Southern United States. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Mitchell, D. J., F. N. Martin, and R. Charudattan. 1994. "Biological Control of Plant Pathogens and Weeds in Florida." In Pest Management in the Subtropics, Biological Control: A Florida Perspective, edited by D. Rosen, F. D. Bennett, and J. L. Capinera, 549-574. Andover, UK; Intercept.

Newark, M., M. L. Paret, N. S. Dufault, and J. H. Freeman. 2014. Management of Gummy Stem Blight (Black Rot) on Cucurbits in Florida. PP280. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp280

Newark, M., M. L. Paret, N. S. Dufault, P. D. Roberts, S. Zhang, G. E. Vallad, J. H. Freeman and G. McAvoy. 2016. Management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew in Florida. PP325. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp325

Nguyen, K. B., and G. C. Smart, Jr. 1990. "Steinernema scapterisci n.sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)." Journal of Nematology 22 (2): 187-199.

Noling, J. W. and J. P. Gilreath. 1999. "Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Nematode Control: A South Florida Synopsis." Proceedings of the 1998 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. December 7-9, 1998, Orlando, Florida.

Noling, J.W. 2012a. Nematode Management in Cucurbits (Cucumber, Melons, Squash). ENY-025. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng025.

Noling, J.W. 2012b. Nematodes and Their Management. ENY625. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv112.

Noling, J. W. 2013. Nematologist, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, in communication with the author.

Norman, J. W., Jr., D. G. Riley, P. A. Stansly, P. C. Ellsworth, and N. C. Toscano. 1993. Management of Silverleaf Whitefly: A Comprehensive Manual on the Biology, Economic Impact and Control Tactics. Washington, DC: USDA/CSREES.

Nuessly, G. S., and M. Hentz. 1998. EREC Moth Pheromone Trap Data. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Olson, S. M., P. J. Dittmar, P. D. Roberts, S. E. Webb, and S. A. Smith. 2012. Cucurbit Production in Florida. HS725. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv123.

Purcifull, D. E., W. C. Adlerz, G. W. Simone, E. Hiebert, and S. R. Christie. 1984. "Serological Relationships and Partial Characterization of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Isolated from Squash in Florida." Plant Disease 68: 230-233. https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-68-230

Roberts, P., and T. Kucharek. 2005. 2006 Florida Plant Disease Management Guide: Watermelon. PDMG-V-355. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/watermelons/diseases/diseases.htm

Roberts, P. D., and R. J. McGovern. 1998. "Phytophthora Blight Causes Significant Losses to Spring Vegetable Crops." Citrus & Vegetable Magazine 62 (11): 8-11.

Rushing, J. W. 2016. "Watermelon." In The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist & Nursery Crops, 3rd edition, edited by K. Gross and M. Saltveit. USDA Handbook 66. Washington, DC: USDA/ARS. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/oc/np/CommercialStorage/CommercialStorage.pdf

Sakimura, K., L. M. Nakahara, and H. A. Denmark. 1986. A Thrips, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Entomology Circular No. 280. Gainesville, FL: FDACS Division of Plant Industry.

Sanford, M. T., and J. Ellis. 2011. Beekeeping: Watermelon Pollination. ENY-154. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa091

Sargent, S. A. 1992. "Harvesting and Handling Watermelons." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard. SP113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Schuster, D. J., and J. F. Price. 1992. "Seedling Feeding Damage and Preference of Scapteriscus spp. Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) Associated with Horticultural Crops in West-Central Florida." Florida Entomologist 75 (1): 115-119. https://doi.org/10.2307/3495489

Smith, S. A., and T. G. Taylor. 2011. Production Costs and Commodity Budgets for Selected Florida Vegetables. FE436. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00004161/00001

Somodi, G. C., J. B. Jones, D. L. Hopkins, R. E. Stall, T. A. Kucharek, N. C. Hodge, and J. C. Watterson. 1991. "Occurrence of a Bacterial Watermelon Fruit Blotch in Florida." Plant Disease 75: 1053-1056.

https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-75-1053

South, L. 1991. "New Thrips Threatens South Florida." American Vegetable Grower 39 (5): 30.

Spreen, T. H., J. J. VanSickle, A. E. Moseley, M. S. Deepak, and L. Mathers. 1995. Use of Methyl Bromide and the Economic Impact of Its Proposed Ban on the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Industry. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Stall, W. 1999. "Watermelon Weed Control." Citrus & Vegetable Magazine 63 (7): 30-34.

Stall, W. M. 1992. "Weed Management." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard, 45-46. SP113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Stansly, P. A. 2011. Insects That Affect Vegetable Crops. ENY450. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv111.

Stansly, P. A. 1995. "Seasonal Abundance of Silverleaf Whitefly in Southwest Florida Vegetable Fields." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 108: 234-242.

Stephens, J. M. 2012. Watermelon, Seedless - Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf. HS685. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv152.

Stokes, D. E. 1972. Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Nematology Circular No. 11. Gainesville, FL: FDACS, Division of Plant Industry.

Terry, E.R., Jr., W. M. Stall, D. G. Shilling, T. A. Bewick, and S. R. Kostewicz. 1997. "Smooth Amaranth Inference with Watermelon and Muskmelon Production." HortScience 32 (4): 630-632. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.32.4.630

Tsai, J. H., B. Yue, S. E. Webb, J. E. Funderburk, and H. T. Hsu. 1995. "Effects of Host Plant and Temperature on Growth and Reproduction of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)." Environmental Entomology 24 (6): 1598-1603. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/24.6.1598

USDA/NASS. 2017. United States Department of Agriculture; National Agricultural Statistics Service. https://www.nass.usda.gov

USDA/NASS. 2014. United States; Summary and State Date. Census of Agriculture, Florida State and County Data. https://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

Vallad, G., K. Pernezny, N. Peres, R. Raid, P. Roberts, and S. Zhang. 2010. 2010 Florida Plant Disease Management Guide: Chemical Control Guide for Diseases of Vegetables, Revision No. 21. PPP6. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences.

Vavrina, C. S. 1992. "Watermelon Transplants." In Watermelon Production Guide for Florida, edited by D. N. Maynard. SP113. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Watson, J. R., and A. N. Tissot. 1942. Insects and Other Pests of Florida Vegetables. Bulletin 370. Gainesville: University of Florida, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.

Watson, J. A., D. Treadwell, S. A. Sargent, J. K. Brecht, and W. Pelletier. 2015. Postharvest Storage, Packing and Handling of Specialty Crops: A guide for Florida Small Farm Producers. HS1270. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1270

Webb, S. E. 1995. "Damage to watermelon seedlings caused by Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)." Florida Entomologist 78(1):178-179. http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/issue/view/3552 https://doi.org/10.2307/3495682

Webb, S. E. 1996. "Management of melon aphid on muskmelon and watermelon with insecticides specific for Homoptera." Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 109:202-205.

Webb S. 2003. Entomologist, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville in communication with the author.

Webb, S. E. 2017. Insect Management for Cucurbits (Cucumber, Squash, Cantaloupe, and Watermelons). ENY-460. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in168

Webb, S.E. and Kok-Yokomi, M.L. 1993. "Transmission of cucurbit potyviruses by Uroleucon pseudambrosiae (Homoptera: Aphididae), an aphid trapped during epidemics of watermelon mosaic virus 2 in Florida." J. Econ. Entomol. 86(6):1786-1792. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/86.6.1786

Webb, S.E. and Linda, S.B. 1993. "Effect of oil and insecticide on epidemics of potyviruses in watermelon in Florida." Plant Disease 77:869-874. https://doi.org/10.1094/PD-77-0869

Webb, S. E., D. J. Schuster, P. A. Stansly, J. E. Polston, S. Adkins, C. A. Baker, P. Roberts, O. E. Liburd, T. Nyoike, E. McAvoy, and A. Whidden. 2015. Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops of Florida. ENY-478. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in871

Webb, S.E., Kok-Yokomi, M.L., and Voegtlin, D.J. (1994). "Effect of trap color on species composition of alate aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) caught over watermelon plants." Florida Entomologist 77(1):146-154. http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/issue/view/2818 https://doi.org/10.2307/3495881

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license.