Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market
Eating watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a traditional part of the Fourth of July holidays in the United States; however, growing watermelon in Missouri, USA for the local Fourth of July market requires an early growing season start (beginning of April) under protected culture because of low tempera...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
2023-10-01
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| Series: | HortTechnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/33/6/article-p520.xml |
| _version_ | 1797643361691107328 |
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| author | Ramón A. Arancibia Kathi Mecham Joni Harper Cheryl Recker |
| author_facet | Ramón A. Arancibia Kathi Mecham Joni Harper Cheryl Recker |
| author_sort | Ramón A. Arancibia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Eating watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a traditional part of the Fourth of July holidays in the United States; however, growing watermelon in Missouri, USA for the local Fourth of July market requires an early growing season start (beginning of April) under protected culture because of low temperatures and the risk of freezing. Therefore, ‘Yellow Doll’ watermelon production was investigated under low tunnel (LT) and caterpillar high tunnel [HT (walk-in movable two-row tunnel)], and the economic feasibility was assessed by marginal analysis for both protected cultures. Planting in early April allowed harvest to start 1 to 2 weeks before the target market date. In addition, yield increased under HT in comparison with LT and open field (Op). Marginal analysis under the conditions of this study and prices obtained from local farmers’ markets showed a positive marginal rate of return for HT in comparison with the control Op. The marginal rate of return sensitivity study suggests that differences in marketable yield of 300–400 and 200–250 lb/1200 ft2 are necessary under HT and LT, respectively, for the protected culture to be economically feasible with watermelon prices above $0.75/lb and/or $1.00/lb as obtained in local farmers’ markets. Therefore, it is possible and there is potential to produce watermelon under protected culture for the local Fourth of July market. A gain in market share with potential premium prices for watermelon may increase the sustainability of small and medium-size specialty crop farmers in Missouri. To accomplish this, it is necessary to use early cultivars (70 to 80 days to maturity), plant in early April with transplants grown in greenhouses, and make sure to manage tunnels properly to maintain favorable growing conditions, protect against freezing temperatures and ensuring good pollination. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:13:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e74037a86f68467eb87e439b85f32ae5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1943-7714 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:13:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HortTechnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-e74037a86f68467eb87e439b85f32ae52023-11-01T16:08:26ZengAmerican Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)HortTechnology1943-77142023-10-01336https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05283-23Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July MarketRamón A. Arancibia 0Kathi Mecham 1Joni Harper 2Cheryl Recker 3University of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri ExtensionEating watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a traditional part of the Fourth of July holidays in the United States; however, growing watermelon in Missouri, USA for the local Fourth of July market requires an early growing season start (beginning of April) under protected culture because of low temperatures and the risk of freezing. Therefore, ‘Yellow Doll’ watermelon production was investigated under low tunnel (LT) and caterpillar high tunnel [HT (walk-in movable two-row tunnel)], and the economic feasibility was assessed by marginal analysis for both protected cultures. Planting in early April allowed harvest to start 1 to 2 weeks before the target market date. In addition, yield increased under HT in comparison with LT and open field (Op). Marginal analysis under the conditions of this study and prices obtained from local farmers’ markets showed a positive marginal rate of return for HT in comparison with the control Op. The marginal rate of return sensitivity study suggests that differences in marketable yield of 300–400 and 200–250 lb/1200 ft2 are necessary under HT and LT, respectively, for the protected culture to be economically feasible with watermelon prices above $0.75/lb and/or $1.00/lb as obtained in local farmers’ markets. Therefore, it is possible and there is potential to produce watermelon under protected culture for the local Fourth of July market. A gain in market share with potential premium prices for watermelon may increase the sustainability of small and medium-size specialty crop farmers in Missouri. To accomplish this, it is necessary to use early cultivars (70 to 80 days to maturity), plant in early April with transplants grown in greenhouses, and make sure to manage tunnels properly to maintain favorable growing conditions, protect against freezing temperatures and ensuring good pollination.https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/33/6/article-p520.xmlcitrullus lanatushigh tunnellow tunnelmarginal analysistemperatureyield |
| spellingShingle | Ramón A. Arancibia Kathi Mecham Joni Harper Cheryl Recker Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market HortTechnology citrullus lanatus high tunnel low tunnel marginal analysis temperature yield |
| title | Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market |
| title_full | Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market |
| title_fullStr | Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market |
| title_full_unstemmed | Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market |
| title_short | Watermelon Production under Protected Culture in Missouri, USA, to Reach the Local Fourth of July Market |
| title_sort | watermelon production under protected culture in missouri usa to reach the local fourth of july market |
| topic | citrullus lanatus high tunnel low tunnel marginal analysis temperature yield |
| url | https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/33/6/article-p520.xml |
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