The watermelon industry is extremely popular in Georgia, with watermelons grown on an estimated 20,000 acres per year. Still, consistently making a profit requires constant innovation and hard work.
Picking, grading, packing and shipping melons remains the most costly aspect of watermelon production. Irrigating fields and applying newer, more effective fungicides to combat the diseases of watermelon are also two of the more expensive input costs.
Scientists with UGA Extension and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences conduct research trials to aid farmers in producing a cost-efficient and high-yielding watermelon crop.
Our Programs and Services
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Lab Testing and Analysis Services Testing for soil, plant tissue, water quality, animal waste, feeds and forages, pesticides, and much more!
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On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many county offices for ag producers.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program Topics include pest identification, storage and disposal, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, water quality protection, and food safety.
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Production Meetings Updates on local issues for growers and producers.
Recent Publications
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Heirloom Vegetables in the Home Garden (C 1302) This publication discusses heirloom vegetable choices and some of the common issues that growers may encounter when growing heirloom vegetables in a home garden setting. Additional author: Whitney Ric…
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Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon in Georgia (B 1485) Watermelon production faces many challenges in Georgia. The warm, humid climate favors numerous foliar diseases. Because of the long history of watermelon production in Georgia, soilborne diseases suc…
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Managing Root-Knot Nematodes in Georgia Watermelons (B 1529) Root-knot nematodes are highly adaptable, obligate plant parasites (parasites that cannot reach adulthood without a host) that attack plant roots and establish a prolonged relationship with their host…
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Water Use and Irrigation Management for Vegetables in Georgia Series: Water Use and Irrigation Management for Vegetables in Georgia: Watermelon (Citrullis lanatus) (C 1183) This circular contains the fundamentals of watermelon irrigation scheduling using the crop water demand method. Decisions regarding the timing, frequency, and amount of water required for a crop are s…
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A Shared Harvest At Mark’s Melon Patch, UGA Extension plays a key role in supporting agritourism and farming traditions through expert advice and collaboration.
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Fusarium Rapid Test UGA scientists have developed a faster way to diagnose Fusarium wilt.
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Protecting Seasonal Workers Increase in COVID-19 infections among seasonal workers in Florida puts Georgia producers on alert.
