Index Search Home Table of Contents Simon, J.E., M.R. Morales, and D.J. Charles. 1993. Specialty melons for the fresh market. p. 547-553. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York. Specialty Melons for the Fresh Market James E. Simon, Mario R. Morales, and Denys J. Charles METHODOLOGY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Seedless and Yellow Watermelons Green-Fleshed Muskmelons ... Table 4 Indiana is an important producer of muskmelons and watermelons, ranking third in muskmelons in the United States after California and Arizona. In 1987, more than 1,133 ha (2,800 acres) of muskmelons and more than 2,145 ha (5,300 acres) of watermelons were harvested in Indiana mainly in the southwest region with a combined farm value of more than $10 million (Census of Agriculture 1987; Sullivan 1989). Recent marketing studies indicate that significant growth in melon production and specialty cucurbits could occur in the Midwest due to increased market demand (Sullivan 1989). Our objective was to examine the adaptability of specialty melons to the Midwest. The study presented here is focused on seedless and yellow watermelons and green-fleshed muskmelons with the long range goal to utilize the existing agricultural and industrial infrastructure of southwestern Indiana to introduce and market new specialty melons. Yellow-fleshed watermelons have received only minor market interest in the past partially due to the lack of cultivars with high quality fruit as well as consumer resistance to the yellow color. Many cultivars have had problems with cracking or hollow-heart, mealy texture, or nonuniform fruit. Greater consumer acceptance of nonred watermelons is evident by the recent inclusion of yellow-fleshed watermelons in the produce section of general large chain supermarkets. | |
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