Watermelon Industry An Overview of the Watermelon Industry in Georgia

1. Watermelon IndustryAn Overview of the Watermelon Industry in Georgia Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Dr. Frank Flanders and Adrienne Gentry August 2006

2. Objectives Students will be able to: • Outline the importance of the watermelon industry in Georgia. • Name four watermelon varieties. • Name the top three watermelon producing states. • Discuss seedless watermelons. • Rank the watermelon industry compared to other Georgia agricultural commodities.

3. Why is the watermelon industry important? Watermelons are delicious and nutritious and are a summer tradition. By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew. Georgia ranks fourth nationally in total value from watermelon production.

4. Watermelon Products • Simple slices • Salsa • Salad dressings • Even muffins • Used as decorations

5. Watermelon • Watermelon's botanical name is Citrullus lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is a cousin to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash. • Watermelons are "vine crops" with spreading growth habits the crops of this family prefer hot and humid weather as is found in the southern United States. • Watermelons need an average of 4 months to mature, from 80 to 120 days.  A loose, sandy loam soil is preferred. • The watermelon is comprised of about 90% water, approximately 4 gallons for a forty pound melon. Water supply is critical during the growth and development of the plant and fruit.  Water shortages will cause noticeable gaps in production with a reduction in leaf area and overall yield.

6. Watermelon Varieties About 200-300 varieties are grown in the U.S. and Mexico, although there are about 50 varieties that are very popular. The following are the four varieties you will most likely see at your local store. Picnic Crimson SweetJubilee Allsweet SeedlessTriploid Hybrid Mini-WatermelonYellow Flesh Red Flesh Yellow Flesh Seeded Seedless

7. Seedless Watermelons • How are seedless watermelons made? Where does a plant without a seed come from? The answer is in the number of chromosomes. A normal watermelon plant’s chromosomes are doubled by the use of the chemical colchicine. Doubling a normal (diploid) watermelon results in a tetraploid plant (one having four sets of chromosomes). When the tetraploid plant is bred back, or pollinated, by a diploid or normal plant, the resulting seed produces a triploid plant. The seeds/plants have three chromosomes and cannot reproduce. Seed of seedless varieties are available from most major seed companies.

8. Georgia’s Commodity Value

9. US Watermelon Production State Pounds Produced Acres Harvested 1. Florida 800,000 25,000 2. California 688,500 13,500 3. Texas 605,000 27,500 4. Georgia 379,500 23,000 5. Arizona 294,400 6,400

10. Interesting Facts • The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. • Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries. • Watermelon is about 90% water. • Cordele, Georgia claims to be the "Watermelon Capital of the World" because so many melons are grown in the area and travel through the State Farmers' Market there.

11. Interesting Facts • Watermelon has no fat or cholesterol, is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C, and contains fiber, potassium, lycopene. • Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.

12. Assessment 1. Name four watermelon varieties. 2. What is the scientific name for watermelons? 3. Name three of the top producing watermelon states. 4. How many varieties of watermelons are grown in the United States and Mexico? A. 1200-1300 B. 200-300 C. 500-600 D. 50-60 5. Georgia ranks __________ in the US in total value from watermelon production. A. First B. Tenth C. Fourth D. Sixth 6. What kind of weather do watermelons prefer? 7. How long do watermelons need to mature? 8. The watermelon is comprised of about __________ percent water. A. 15 B. 70 C. 60 D. 90 9. A shortage in what would be detrimental to a watermelon crop? 10. Where does watermelon production fall in the Georgia commodity value list? A. 2nd B. 7th C. 8th D. 3rd

13. Quiz Key 1. Picnic, Jubilee, Crimson Sweet, Allsweet, Seedless, Triploid Hybrid, Ice Box, Yellow Flesh, Mini-Watermelon, Red Flesh, Yellow Flesh. 2. Citrullus lanatus 3. Texas, Arizona, Georgia, California, Florida 4. B. 200-300 5. C. Fourth 6. Hot and humid weather 7. Four months 8. D. 90 9. Water 10. A. 2nd

14. References http://www.watermelon.org/watermelon_funfacts.asp http://www.uga.edu/vegetable/watermelon.html