Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021 - 84

SUGGESTED FERTIGATION SCHEDULE FOR MELON*
(low potassium soil)
Daily
Plant growth
stage
Preplant
Planting to Vining
Vining to Flowering
Flowering to Fruit Set
Fruit Set to Ripening
Harvest
0-14
14-28
29-49
50-77
78-91
*Adjust based on tissue analysis.
Plastic Mulch. The use of plastic mulch is particularly beneficial
for melon production. Black plastic mulch used in the spring
increases soil temperature, reduces soil moisture loss and reduces
weed competition except for nutgrass. The use of black plastic
mulch in the fall can result in detrimentally high soil temperatures,
consequently white plastic mulch is recommended for fall melon
production. Both type mulches help reduce fruit rots and provide
significant yield increases compared to bare ground crop production.
SPECIAL
NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
DISEASE MANGEMENT
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting System: Cucurbit downy
mildew (CDM) is a devastating foliar cucurbit disease. While difficult,
if not impossible to control, CDM can be prevented by using
effective IPM practices. A useful tool for prevention of CDM is
the CDM forecasting system. This program depends on the accurate
reporting of CDM in the field as well as the monitoring of over
50 strategically placed sentinel plots. These plots are monitored by
Plant Pathologists at multiple Land Grant Universities throughout
the United States and Canada. Forecasts of the epidemic movement
of the disease are generated 3 times a week. Risk maps are
produced from these forecasts. For forecasts, maps, local contacts
and other helpful information please visit our website, http://cdm.
ipmpipe.org. If you think you have CDM, please contact your local
Extension office.
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Seed Corn Maggot (SCM): Use insecticide treated seed or
at-planting soil-insecticide treatments to avoid SCM in the early
season. SCM problems subside with later plantings.
Cucumber Beetle: Cucumber beetles transmit bacterial wilt, and
most cultivars of muskmelons are highly susceptible to this disease.
Also adult beetles can cause direct feeding injury to young
plants. Foliar insecticides should be used to control adult beetles
before they feed extensively on the cotyledons and first true leaves.
Begin spraying shortly after plant emergence and repeat applications
at weekly intervals if new beetles continue to invade fields.
Treatments may be required until vining, at which time plants are
less susceptible to wilt infections.
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.0
Days after
planting
nitrogen
Daily
potash
Cumulative
Nitrogen Potash
(lb/A)
25.0
32.0
46.0
76.0
130.0
143.0
50.0
57.0
91.0
101.0
155.0
168.0
Aphids: Aphids can delay plant maturity. Thorough spray coverage
beneath leaves is important. For further information on aphid
controls, see the preceding section on " Mulches and Row Covers. "
Treat seedlings every 5 to 7 days or as needed.
Squash Bug: Begin treatments shortly after vining. Treat every 7
to 10 days or as needed.
Leafhoppers: High numbers of potato leafhoppers cause leaf
yellowing (chlorosis) known as hopper burn, which will result in
yield loss.
POLLINATION
Honeybees are important for pollination, high yields, and quality
fruit. Populations of pollinating insects may be adversely affected
by insecticides applied to flowers or weeds in bloom. Apply insecticides
only in the evening hours or wait until blooms have closed
before application. See section on " Pollination " in the General Production
Recommendations.
HARVESTING AND STORAGE
Cantaloupes should be harvested at quarter-to half-slip for shipping.
Healthy vines and leaves must be maintained until melons
are mature to obtain high-quality melons. Harvest daily or twice
daily in hot weather. See Table 14 for further postharvest information.
Many other types of melons do not slip and judging maturity
can be difficult. Many melons will change their water not color. It
is critical to be familiar with the unique character of each melon.
Pickleworm, Melonworm: Make one treatment prior to fruit set,
and then treat weekly.
84
2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
http://cdm http://www.ipmpipe.org
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021

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