Management Systems for Pest Reduction in Watermelon
Analyze data and reports from field surveys to
determine incidence of management practices and relationships among watermelon
growth factors, pests, and crop yield. Conduct small-plot research to evaluate
cultural production systems as a way of managing vine decline diseases. Measure
rates of watermelon plant development under different cultural production
systems. Determine associations between plant pests and the incidence of vine
decline diseases. (2399)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment
Station, USDA-CSREES, Oklahoma
Vegetable Association
PI : B. Warren Roberts
Interaction of Multiple Biotic and Abiotic Factors on Cucurbit Crop
Productivity
Objectives are to: 1) Measure the effect of squash bug feeding on watermelon
plant growth and fruit production; 2) Evaluate the use of polyculture
techniques for managing plant diseases in cucurbit crops; 3) Measure the
relationship between watermelon foliage and fruit; 4) Determine effect of fruit
pruning and time of fruit set on total plant fruit yield; 5) Determine the
interactions among irrigation, insect infestation and plant disease and effects
on watermelon plant growth and fruit production; and 6) Determine economics of
best management practices for optimum return using alternative production strategies. (2440)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural
Experiment Station, USDA-CSREES, Oklahoma Vegetable Association
PI: Jonathan V. Edelson
Developing Production Strategies for Cucurbit Crops in
South Central U.S.
The goal of this project is to determine the impact that multiple and
interacting factors have on cucurbit crop production. Specific objectives are
to: 1) Determine temporal and spatial distribution of squash bug on watermelon
in the south central U.S. and develop valid scouting methods; 2) Determine
efficiency of insecticides for controlling squash bug and the effect of squash
bug abundance on plant growth and fruit production; 3) Increase knowledge of
selected factors that influence the efficiency of the design of field
experiments on watermelon; 4) Evaluate a) optimal size and shape of field plots,
and b) optimal rates of replication; 5) Determine interactions between
temperature and moisture for germination of cucurbit seeds; 6) Determine the
effect of planting date on watermelon establishment and survival; 7) Determine
mechanical and/or chemical treatments to enhance germination of cucurbit seeds;
8) Determine effects and interaction among cultural practices of soil-borne
diseases on watermelon seedlings at different temperatures, and methods for
lessening the impact of such diseases; 9) Determine costs of sampling research
experiments comparing traditional/conventional techniques versus scouting
protocol techniques that provide statistically valid forecasting data; and 10) Determine
best management practices for optimum economic return using most technically
efficient production strategies. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments testing
interactions between temperature and moisture for germination are being
developed for the winter months. All other testing began in the spring of 2002
and will continue through the 2003 growing season. (2462)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station,
USDA-CSREES, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
On-Farm Development of Alternatives Insect and Disease Management
for Cucurbit
This project involves evaluation of management systems for two critical pest
categories that affect watermelon production: 1) foliar diseases (anthracnose);
and 2) insects (squash bug and cucumber beetle). Trials were conducted in 2001
at five sites representing distinct cucurbit production areas of the state.
Trials were conducted in 2002 at four sites continuing the previous
year’s data collection. For
the insect studies, an untreated plot was compared to two alternative
management strategies. Fields were scouted weekly to assess pest populations.
Squash bug was found at all sites and tended to be more abundant in eastern
areas. Preliminary data analysis indicated that squash bugs were more abundant
on squash than watermelon and that watermelon had fewer squash bugs when squash
was planted at the edges of the field. One foliar disease management trial was
conducted in 2001. The trial was designed to compare fungicides and their
application timing for the control of anthracnose of watermelon. Moderate
infestation levels of anthracnose and cercospora were evident in the latter
part of the crop cycle. All treatments provided significant control as compared
to an untreated check. (2417)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station,
USDA-CSREES,
Oklahoma Vegetable Association