December 2024 - 13

WATERMELON
6-foot centers, McAvoy placed 4-8 feet spacing between
the plants in one foot increments. He decreased spacing
by half at the largest spacing of 8 feet between plants.
Typically, Extension recommends 24 square feet per
plant. McAvoy tested the grafted plants at his standard
planting density of 1,815 plants/acre as well as reduced
planting densities of 1,452, 1,210, 1,037 and 907 plants/acre.
Preliminary findings show wider spacings that use
fewer plants per acre are feasible in reducing per-acre
planting costs. McAvoy said he's not seeing a reduction in
yields or size.
" These are promising preliminary results where it
seems like we may be able to reduce plant populations
without reducing yields or having an effect on fruit size, "
he said. " Basically, these plants were able to compensate. "
Besides disease resistance, many of the rootstocks are
more vigorous and provide larger plants and better root
systems that consume water and nutrients more efficiently.
Dutta is working with grafted watermelon to control
fusarium wilt, using resistant rootstocks and then
grafting the seedless watermelon on top as the scion.
Researchers have examined citron and squash rootstocks
for fusarium wilt resistance.
They discovered Carolina strongback, a citron, appears
to be growers' best option to manage fusarium wilt.
" Some of the other squash rootstocks are resistant
against fusarium, but they're also very susceptible to root
knot nematodes, whereas the citron Carolina strongback
seems like it performs well against fusarium wilt, "
McAvoy said.
As opposed to Florida's hot and humid weather that
attracts low levels of numerous diseases, Georgia
diseases are seasonal. McAvoy notes cool and dry
springs don't attract many foliar diseases until later,
typically in June when the region begins receiving
summer rains. Early season fungicides mainly consist
of weekly applications of Bravo chlorothalonil. Toward
the end of season, growers must control gummy stem
blight, phytophthora, downy mildew - diseases that like
moisture - before switching to heavier fungicides.
" In general, up until June, you could almost not apply
anything and not have a disease because the weather
conditions aren't right and we don't have the spores, "
McAvoy said.
Disease is the primary concern of watermelon.
Because of Georgia's cooler temperatures and drier
climate, the state attracts pests like aphids, thrips and
squash bugs, which are not big watermelon threats and
are typically easily managed.
" We don't encounter insecticide resistance in these
insects like we do on other crops, " he said. " Insects are
relatively easy to control and with low pest pressures,
especially in the spring. Now, fall - forget it, as
whiteflies eat our lunch. "
Bolita
Diamond Crush
Red Tail
A mid-maturing mini seedless with
excellent emergence and high
uniformity. Great shipper with high brix.
Early maturing grape, on mid-compact,
determinate plants. The setting is prolific,
and the fruit are very firm, smooth, and have
a uniform green shoulder.
Broadly adapted and vigorous with
very high yields of tender and flavorful
beans.
For information on these and other Clifton Seed varieties, visit
our website: www.cliftonseed.com or call (800) 231-9359 or
(866) 342-5893 to find a sales representative in your area.
ftil
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 13
http://www.cliftonseed.com http://www.VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM

December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2024

Editor’s Letter
Talking Tech
Investing in your plant health
Watermelon tests
From farm to can
Cucumber powerhouse
Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
2025 VGN Buyers Guide
Veg Connections
Farm Market & Agritourism
Ag Labor Review
Business
Industry News
Events
Classifieds
Ad Index
December 2024 - 1
December 2024 - 2
December 2024 - 3
December 2024 - Editor’s Letter
December 2024 - 5
December 2024 - Talking Tech
December 2024 - 7
December 2024 - Investing in your plant health
December 2024 - 9
December 2024 - Watermelon tests
December 2024 - 11
December 2024 - 12
December 2024 - 13
December 2024 - From farm to can
December 2024 - 15
December 2024 - 16
December 2024 - 17
December 2024 - Cucumber powerhouse
December 2024 - 19
December 2024 - 20
December 2024 - 21
December 2024 - 22
December 2024 - 23
December 2024 - Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
December 2024 - 25
December 2024 - 26
December 2024 - Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
December 2024 - 28
December 2024 - 29
December 2024 - 30
December 2024 - 31
December 2024 - 32
December 2024 - 33
December 2024 - 34
December 2024 - 2025 VGN Buyers Guide
December 2024 - 36
December 2024 - 37
December 2024 - 38
December 2024 - 39
December 2024 - 40
December 2024 - 41
December 2024 - 42
December 2024 - 43
December 2024 - 44
December 2024 - 45
December 2024 - 46
December 2024 - 47
December 2024 - 48
December 2024 - 49
December 2024 - 50
December 2024 - 51
December 2024 - 52
December 2024 - 53
December 2024 - Veg Connections
December 2024 - 55
December 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
December 2024 - 57
December 2024 - Ag Labor Review
December 2024 - 59
December 2024 - Business
December 2024 - 61
December 2024 - Industry News
December 2024 - Events
December 2024 - Classifieds
December 2024 - 65
December 2024 - Ad Index
December 2024 - 67
December 2024 - 68
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/january-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/august-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/seedguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/buyersguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/december-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/october-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/august-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/buyersguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/december-2019
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/october-2019
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