Modesto, California
March, 2000

A watermelon from Harris Moran Seed Company recently topped a yield trial of seedless watermelon varieties. 

Millionaire, the standard for triploid watermelons, yielded a total harvest of 86,917 lbs/ac, compared to the nearest competitor -- 83,486 lbs/ac.

Conducted by the University of Delaware, the trial saw Millionaire yielding an average weight of 16.3 lbs. Number of melons per acre totaled 11,388, according to the trial data. Early harvest weight an acre totaled 11,139 lbs; Mid harvest weight an acre tipped the scales at 64,390 lbs for Millionaire; and Late harvest weight tallied 11,388 lbs.

Cultural practices

Transplants were planted June 2. Researchers applied 500 lbs. of 10-10-10, then broadcast and incorporated it prior to laying plastic mulch. They also applied 30 lbs. of N through the drip system on 26 June, July 9, July 24, and Aug. 7.

Three ounces of the herbicide Sinbar was applied pre-emergence. The MELCAST Fungicide Application Model was used for fungicide applications. Six fungicide applications of Bravo at 2 pts/A were applied according to the model on June 18, June 26, July 11, Aug. 4, Quadris (15.4 oz/A on Aug. 12 and Bravo on Aug. 18.

(Note: If fungicides were applied on a 7-day schedule, 10 applications would have been made. If they were applied on a 10-day schedule, seven applications would have been made. Approximately 1-4 sprays were saved by using this method of fungicide application. At $15.68/A per application, a savings of $15.86/A-$62.72/A was achieved by using the model).

As for insecticide, Lannate was applied on Aug. 18 and Aug. 8 for melon aphid control.

The seedless watermelons were harvested as they would be harvested commercially on Aug. 10, Aug. 19, and Aug. 31.

The growing season was hot and dry. Disease pressure was light. The plots did experience wind damage early after transplanting and ozone damage as the vines began to run. Overall, 1998 was a very good growing season.

Millionaire and Millennium

As mentioned, Millionaire bested the field in yield. And it's no wonder. Millionaire features main season maturity and a thick rind. It has superior holding ability both in the field and during shipment. The fruit is blocky in shape with a traditional triploid stripe.

Millionaire has great interior quality with crisp dark pink flesh and a low incidence of hollow heart. The vine is strong and is tolerant to Fusarium and Anthracnose.

Along with Millionaire, another Harris Moran variety fared well.

Millennium, yielded 71,758 lbs/ac with 5272 melons an acre with an average weight of nearly 14 lbs. This triploid features a slight oval shape and a dark green exterior that resists fading from the sun.

Maturity is very early and the interior quality is unsurpassed with dark red, crisp flesh. The vine is very strong and the fruit set is concentrated with very high yield potential.