Quality water melons mean higher returns
Brian Cooper used the MEGALAB.net system on his water melon crop in 2001. Soil analysis showed good levels of available nutrients but the recommended quality program was followed:
3 applications of 2 quarts/acre of Magphos at early vegetative, pre-bloom and early fruit set stages. (3 x 5 l/ha Hydrophos. This was followed by 2 applications of 2 quarts/acre of Califlow during fruit development. (2 x 5 l/ha Caltrac)
Brian´s 10 year yield average of 38,000 lbs/acre was increased to 50,000 lbs/acre. At $0.06 per lb, this gave a return of $720 per acre.
"Melons were larger and more uniform. Because of this I was able to develop new customers who wanted my product based on size and quality"
- Brian Cooper
Author: Dan Gordon, USA
Published: May 2002