Title: Watermelon: A Brief History // Missouri Environment and Garden News Article // Integrated Pest Management, University of Missouri
Headings: Watermelon: A Brief History
Watermelon: A Brief History
Published: July 17, 2020
Watermelon trivia:

Content: However, excessive moisture especially as the fruits mature can lead to melon cracking and reduced sugar content. Weeds can limit both yield and quality and must be controlled. The use of mulch and/or herbicides can make weed control easier, since mechanical weed removal becomes difficult once the vines start to "run." Additionally, insects such as cucumber beetle, aphid, seed corn maggot, leafminers, and rindworms can all cause crop loss. Monitoring insect populations and early intervention using IPM tactics is recommended to minimize insect damage. Troublesome watermelon diseases include bacterial fruit blotch, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gummy stem blight. Viruses such as cucumber mosaic, squash mosaic, and watermelon mosaic also can be a problem. When possible, the use of genetically resistant varieties is the best way to combat diseases. Watermelons are considered ready for harvest when their "belly patch" (portion of the rind that rests on the ground) turns from white to creamy yellow. Another indicator of ripeness is when the tendril located across from where the melon is attached to the vine turns from green to brown.