Growers in Northwest Missouri have traditionally produced watermelons on the loess soils in this part of the state. Sandy soils along the Missouri River are especially well-suited for watermelon production. Markets represent a problem as the largest terminal markets are at Kansas City and Omaha. Melons imported from Texas and other southern states capture the early market in this area so commercial producers usually target Labor Day to market their melons in northern cities. These variety trials were planted to determine which melon cultivars would produce the best in the climate of this region.

Sixteen seeded and sixteen seedless varieties were evaluated in the trial fields at Graves and Hundley- Whaley Research farms. The deep loess soil was well drained but did not receive adequate rainfall during most of the growing season. Irrigation was not used during the experiment at H-W.. Seeds and seedless transplants were placed in the field at Graves on May 21 and at Hundley-Whaley on May 29. Three hills of each variety were planted 10' apart in rows 10' apart at H-W. Three hills of each variety were planted in rows 14' apart with 12' between hills at Graves.. The plots were located in a field that was in crops last year. Direct seeded melons at Graves were directly affected by atrazine carry-over from last years' crops. Several varieties were stunted and thus had reduced yields. Plants were tilled, fertilized and sprayed with Pounce on July 2 at Graves. They were tilled, fertilized, and sprayed with Warrior on July 18 at H-W. Weeds were controlled by an application of Treflan preplant, then hoeing and tilling. The melons were harvested, counted and weighed at Graves on September 12 and at H-W on September 5

At Hundley-Whaley, the total weight of the seedless varieties exceeded the total weight of the seeded ones. (Table 1). Of the seedless varieties, 'SX4016' had the highest total weight followed by 'Triple Crown' and 'ACX257'. 'SR8026' had the heaviest melons followed by 'Triple Crown' and 'Revolution'. In the seeded varieties, 'SWD8307' had the highest total weight followed by 'SR8316' and 'Crimson Delite'. 'Celebration' had the heaviest melons followed by 'Mardi Gras'.

At Graves field, the yields were severely affected by atrazine carry-over, especially at one end of the field. In the seedless varieties, 'AC7177' had the highest total weight followed by'AC7167'. 'AC5544' had the heaviest melons followed by 'Shadow' and 'Imagination'. In the seeded varieties, 'Athens' had the highest total weight followed by 'Imagination'. 'Sum Flavor790' had the heaviest melons followed by 'Athens' and 'Mardi Gras'. The extreme dry weather and herbicide affects drastically reduced the yields from last year