Events

Event Information:

• Thu

  14

  Jul

  2022

  Watermelon Field Day

  8:00 AM - 1:00 PMEdisto Research Center - 64 Research Rd, Blackville, SC

  Gilbert Miller, Clemson Extension vegetable specialist, said the field day is schedule for July 14, with registration beginning at 8 a.m at the Edisto REC, 64 Research Road, Blackville, S.C. 29817. No RSVP required. The indoor program begins at 8:15 a.m.

  Topics and speakers for the indoor program include Matt Cutulle, Clemson weed scientist, who will talk about watermelon herbicides. Cutulle will lead discussions on how to use effective pre-emergent herbicides in watermelon production, as well as the consequences of herbicide carryover for subsequent crops. In addition, he also will address the basic principles of Integrated Weed Management, using tools available to control problematic weeds

  Tony Keinath, Clemson plant pathologist and Extension vegetable pathologist, will address gummy stem blight fungus resistance to Tebuconazole.

  Tebuconazole is the active ingredient in a fungicide used by watermelon growers to help control gummy stem blight fungus. This fungus can spread quickly in a watermelon field with disastrous results. Although in past years Tebuconazole was very effective controlling gummy stem blight, the fungus is starting to show moderate resistance to this active ingredient.

  Ben Powell, Clemson Pollinator Program coordinator, will talk about contract pollination for cucurbits. Powell’s discussion will center on how to ensure a watermelon crop is pollinated and how growers can protect pollinators.

  Following the indoor session, participants will go to the field to view research plots and continue discussions, as well as harvest and sample 74 different cucurbit cultivars. The field session also will include several topics of discussion, including a demonstration of the Clemson Extension statewide weather station network.

  Discussions also will be held on Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and Biostimulant Test with Watermelons, Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD), as well as watermelon field trials.

  For more information, contact Gilbert Miller at 803-284-3343 ext 271

   

  Do you have a whopper melon on your farm right now? Bring your biggest melon to the EREC Watermelon Field Day on Thursday to compete in the first annual big watermelon contest. The grower with the biggest watermelon weighed in will receive a cash prize from the SC Watermelon Board and bragging rights for the 2022 growing season. Weigh-in will begin at 7:45 AM and run until 8:15 AM.  The winner will be announced by the SC Watermelon Queen at the event.  Good luck!