David L Coffey

Seven cultivars of speciality type melons including two honey dew cultivars were evaluated in 2002. Performance from all cultivars was less than optimum. Plants experienced 3 consecutive nights of freezing or near freezing temperatures some after transplanting into the field, thus delaying growth and plant vigor somewhat.. Overall yields and fruit size were less than desired. The performance of ‘Passport’, an early maturing, speciality type melon has characteristics favorable for local fresh market production.

In the muskmelon family, several other types from Europe and Asia, often referred to as speciality melons, are gaining in popularity in the United States. These melons are of highest eating quality and are smaller than typical cantaloupes and honeydew melons. Fruits average 11/2 to 2 lbs and are very sweet and aromatic and with distinctive smooth greenish to yellow rind. Most of these types of melons are not especially resilient for lasting quality and are recommended for local market or home garden use. They have a softer rind/skin and do not hold as well as shipping type cantaloupes and honeydew melons.

Seven hybrid cultivars were evaluated at Knoxville Experiment Station in 2002. Seeds were grown in the grown in the greenhouse in 4.5 in peat pots. Plants were transplanted to the field on May 14, 2002. Experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block with 4 replications. Individual plots consisted of 7 hills/plot spaced 36 inches apart and 2 plants per hill. Black plastic on 6 inch raised beds equipped with trickle irrigation was utilized. All plots were fertilized with 500 lbs/a broadcast application of 10-10-10 prior to mulch installation. Additional nitrogen totaling 60 lbs/a N was applied in weekly increments in drip irrigation with equal amounts from calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate.

Table 1. Numbers of marketable fruits of honeydew and speciality melon cultivars evaluated the University of Tennessee Knoxville Experiment Station, 2002.

Means in a column followed by the same letter do no differ significantly according to Duncan’s Mulitple Range Test at P=0.05.

Table 2. Weights of marketable fruits and sugar content of honeydew and speciality melon cultivars evaluated the University of Tennessee Knoxville experiment Station, 2002

Means in a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at P=0.05.

Email all comments and suggestions to ghonea@utk.edu
Copyright © 1999 by The University of Tennessee. All rights reserved.

This research represents one season's data and does not constitute recommendations.  After sufficient data is collected over the appropriate number of seasons, final recommendations will be made through research and extension publications.