Season-long Row Covers for Melons OSU South Centers
OBJECTIVE
OSU Extension
Investigate and demonstrate the applicability of management tactics of using season-long row covers in muskmelon production.
Pike County
WEATHER INFORMATION STUDY INFORMATION Planting Date 06/18/2024 Harvest Date(s) 08/19-08/30/2024 Variety Athena Management Conventional System Plasticulture, irrigation – drip tape, row covers Study type Randomized complete block Treatments 2 Replications 4 Size of trial 7,200 sq. ft. Soil type
Omulga Silt Loam
STUDY DESIGN
Plots consisted of three rows of muskmelon, each 50 ft long which were either covered with lightweight mesh row covers (ProtekNet) supported by 3 ft tall hoops or left open as controls. The row middles were treated with pre-emergent herbicides prior to planting. No fungicides or insecticides were used. At flowering, 25 native cucurbit bees, Peponapis pruinosa, were captured from nearby squash and pumpkin fields while resting in closed flowers and transferred to a plastic bag. Any bycatch cucumber beetles were destroyed prior to release into each covered plot beneath the row covers. All fruit were harvested and graded according to USDA standards.
78 | Ohio State Digital Ag Program
Growing Season Weather Summary APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
Total
Precip (in.)
5.46
6.78
2.58
3.07
2.75
9.79
30.43
Cumulative GDDs
322
890
1571
2331
3044
3617
3617