The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

Plasticulture techniques allow growers to enhance the growing environment and expand the selection of crops market growers are able to produce. Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulates) has the potential of being a specialty, high-value crop for New England market growers, as new hybrid varieties and tunnel production ease local climate constraints of unpredictable weather and inconsistent summer temperatures.  This study evaluated six cultivars of muskmelon (grown in organic production) for yield, quality and earliness in three production systems: high tunnels, low tunnels and conventional production.  The six cultivars tested were: Athena, Lil Loupe, Sivan, Sarah’s Choice, Sweet Granite, and Tasty Bites.  The gothic-design high tunnels measure 7 m x 24 m and have a unique feature in having ridge vents along with side vents.  To investigate location effect in the high tunnels, each cultivar occupied a center and edge plot.  Low tunnels measured 20 m long and were made of perforated clear, 1.1 mil. plastic stretched over wire hoops. The low tunnels remained in place for 3 weeks.  Conventional production (control) consisted of protecting the crop with lightweight, spunbonded rowcover until flowering.  Data was collected on days-to-harvest, marketable and cull yields, fruit quality (°Brix), and insect and disease damage.  Total yields differed significantly between cultivars, but not between treatments. Location within the high tunnel significantly affected yield in some cultivars. For all cultivars, °Brix levels were highest in the low tunnel treatment and lowest in the high tunnel treatment.  Earliness was highest in the high tunnel treatment. Pollinator effectiveness in the high tunnels was also tested.  Both honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) were used to test for differences in yield and quality.  Two commercial honey bee hives (one inside an open tunnel and the other outside by the fields) and 1 purchased bumblebee colony (inside a screened high tunnel) were used. There were no differences in fruit number or size among the three tunnels, suggesting that all three methods of supplying pollinators were equally effective. If these results are consistent in future years, growers may be able to save significant amounts of money by using honeybee hives rather than purchasing bumblebee colonies to place inside individual tunnels.