2012 Practices

College Station
Transplanted May 5, 2012 (Average plant population of 1,742 plants/A).
Harvested July 18, 2012
Fertilization Soil was amended with fertilizer and lime per soil test recommendation in mid-April. On May 12, 2012, one week after transplanting, a foliar fertilizer application of soluble 20-20-20 was sprayed on the plants at the rate of 1 tbsp. /gal. On May 25, 2012, 4 lbs. of 18-18-21 was applied through drip irrigation.
Irrigation Transplanted plants into test plot and drip irrigated on May 5 and drip tape was placed 6 inches deep from the center of the black plastic mulch bed. About 1 inch of water was applied per acre once a week for a total of 10 irrigations.
Pest control On May 12, 2012, one week after transplanting, one drench application of imidacloprid was applied. No foliar applications of insecticides or fungicides were applied, as they were not deemed necessary.
Study Comments Field was well prepared, with multiple disking and leveling, before planting. A soil test was conducted in advance and fertilizer and lime were applied and incorporated before lying plastic and transplanting. Field was disked for weed control once on May 25, 2012 as plants started to vine. No weed or disease pressure was observed in this field.
Lubbock
Transplanted June 15, 2012 (average population of 3,265 plants/A)
Harvested (two times) August 15, 2012 and August 28, 2012
Fertilization Preplant 120 lbs./A nitrogen injected on 80″ centers. (Rate of actual N-P-K in lbs. per acre of 120-0-0).
Irrigation Drip irrigation with Netafim T-Tape with 12″ emitter spacings and applied twice weekly for an average of 2.0 – 2.5″ of water.
Study Comments Varieties were seeded in the greenhouse on May 9, 2012. Transplants were hardened for 7-10 days prior to transplanting. Varieties were hand-transplanted using a bulb transplanter; spaced at 2 ft. in-row and 6.67 ft. between-row spacing into plots measuring 6.67 ft. x 27 ft. with 3 replications. Watermelons were harvested on two times beginning on August 15 and ending on August 28.
Uvalde
Transplanted 4 April 2012 (Average plant population of 2,178 plants/A)
Harvested (once-over) June 26, 2012
Fertilization Prior to planting 40 units of nitrogen and 80 units of Phosphorus were injected into the planting rows. Liquid nitrogen was injected through the irrigation 2 times at a rate of about 40 lbs./A. 40 units of nitrogen from urea per acre were applied with an airplane and watered in for distribution. Total nitrogen was about 200 units when considering field carryover. (Rate of actual N-P-K in lbs. per acre of 200-80-0).
Irrigation Center pivot with 15 irrigations applied through the season; 1-1.5 inches per application.
Pest Control Transplants were treated with Admire Pro prior to planting. In addition, the following were applied:
5/14 Prophyt 1 qt. + Bravo 1qt. /A
5/31 Inspire Super 16 oz. + Epimek 8 oz. /A
6/15 Cabrio 12 oz. + Rally 5 oz. + Actara 4 oz. /A
Study Comments Triploids seeded 12 March 2012 in greenhouse Diploids seeded 19 March 2012 in greenhouseCorn stubble from the previous year served as the wind break.Row spacing
60 inches with triploids 4 feet apart and diploids 3 feet apart.
Curbit 1 quart/A was applied for weed control following transplanting.

Gorgeous vines and fruit set; Field average was 45,000 pounds plus per acre.
Weslaco
Transplanted March 14, 2012 (Average plant population of 1,613 plants/A).
Harvested May 22, 2012
Fertilization 3/28/2012 8 Gal. /Acre 5-34-0-4s
4/3/2012 8 Gal. /Acre 5-34-0-4s
4/13/2012 25 Lbs. N-32
4/18/2012 8 Gal. /Acre 12-12-6
4/25/2012 8 Gal. /Acre 12-12-6
5/3/2012 8 Gal. /Acre 12-12-6
5/8/2012 7 Lbs. /Acre Sugar Express (4-10-40)Fertilized for a total of seven times on every irrigation run through the course of the season. (Rate of actual N-P-K in lbs per acre of 49-92-19).
Irrigation Transplanted plants into test plot and drip irrigated on March 13 and 14. Drip tape was placed 6 inches deep from the center of the black plastic mulch bed. About 1 inch of water was applied per acre during each irrigation for a total of 8 irrigations on about 5 to 10 day intervals. Rainfall was encountered which supplemented these 8 irrigation with another 4 inches of water.
Pest control After plants were established one application of Admire was applied. No foliar applications of insecticides or fungicides were applied because of plot design.
Study Comments Heavy disease pressure from downy mildew was encountered in mid-May that study had to be concluded sooner and watermelon yields and size were smaller because of death of plants due to downy mildew.

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