Influence of Diploid Pollinizer Frequencies on Triploid Watermelon Quality and Yields

Abstract

<jats:p>During the 1999 and 2000 growing seasons in Illinois, studies were conducted to determine the influence of two pollinizers (`Crimson Sweet' and `Fiesta') and three pollinizer frequencies (11%, 20%, and 33%) on `Millionaire' seedless watermelon (<jats:italic>Citrullus lanatus</jats:italic>) quality and yields. More large-sized [&gt;16 lb (7.2 kg)] `Millionaire' watermelons were produced when `Crimson Sweet' was used as the pollinizer compared to `Fiesta', which resulted in `Crimson Sweet' leading to greater marketable and total `Millionaire' yields. Pollinizers responded similarly over the pollinizer frequencies for `Millionaire' watermelon yields as no pollinizer by pollinizer frequency interaction was observed. The 20% and 33% pollinizer frequencies produced similar `Millionaire' yields per acre and both resulted in greater yields compared to the 11% pollinizer frequency. Soluble solids in `Millionaire' fruits were not influenced by pollinizer or pollinizer frequency. However, hollow heart disorder followed a quadratic response with respect to pollinizer frequency with the lowest amount of hollow heart observed at the 33% pollinizer frequency and greatest at the 11% pollinizer frequency. No significant interaction (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> ≤ 0.05) was observed for pollinizer by pollinizer frequency for hollow heart disorder in `Millionaire'; although, more hollow heart disorder in `Millionaire' was observed when `Fiesta' was used as the pollinizer.</jats:p>

Genotypic Variability in Staminate Flower and Pollen Grain Production of Diploid Watermelons

“…Ultimately, field trials are needed to evaluate the effects of low versus high total pollenproducing pollenizers on triploid watermelon fruit set. However, our hypothesis that overall pollen production may be an important factor to consider when selecting a pollenizer is supported, at least in part, by Fiacchino and Walters (2003), who found that 'Crimson Sweet' was a better pollenizer than 'Fiesta'. Based on our data, the pollen production levels of 'Crimson Sweet' were greater than those found for 'Fiesta'.…”

“…Thus, growers are interested in optimizing the type and density of pollenizers to maximize field space devoted to the production of the more valuable triploid fruit. Recently, NeSmith and Duval (2001) found that triploid fruit set decreased considerably when the distances between pollenizers and triploid plants exceeded 4.6 m. Similarly, Fiacchino and Walters (2003) evaluated two pollenizers and three pollenizer densities (11%, 20%, and 33%) for their effect on triploid fruit set. They concluded that 'Crimson Sweet' was a better pollenizer than 'Fiesta', and that a pollenizer density of 20% to 33% was better than 11%.…”

“…Matsum. & Nakai] production requires the planting of diploid (seeded) watermelon cultivars to serve as pollen source plants (pollenizers), with current production practices recommending that 20% to 33% of the field space be occupied by diploid pollenizers (2:1 to 4:1 triploid:diploid) (Fiacchino and Walters, 2003;Maynard and Elmstrom, 1992;Rhodes et al, 1997). This is because staminate triploid flowers do not produce sufficient viable pollen to adequately fertilize pistillate flowers, yet seedless fruit formation is dependent on hormones supplied by pollen tube growth and ovule fertilization (Elmstrom and Maynard, 1990;Rhodes et al, 1997;Robinson and Decker-Walters, 1997).…”

Maximum Potential Vegetative and Floral Production and Fruit Characteristics of Watermelon Pollenizers

“…In triploid watermelon production, diploids are included as a viable pollen source for pollination and fruit set (Kihara, 1951;Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997). To provide sufficient pollen for maximum triploid fruit yield, plants should be planted in a ratio of one pollenizer plant for every two to four triploid plants (Fiacchino and Walters, 2003;Maynard and Elmstrom, 1992;NeSmith and Duval, 2001). The pollenizer cultivar has an effect on the yield of triploid fruit (Fiacchino and Walters, 2003;Freeman et al, 2007b).…”

Adaptive and Foraging Behavior of Two Stingless Bee Species in Greenhouse Mini Watermelon Pollination

“…The pots were spaced 0.8 m between rows and 0.4 m between plants. A 3:1 ratio between triploid and diploid varieties was used in dedicated rows (Fiacchino & Walters, 2003;Dittmar et al, 2009) for seedless watermelon cultivation. Plants were trellised to facilitate management of this crop in a protected environment greenhouse.…”