Production, Marketing and Financial Analysis of Seedless Watermelons Growing in Tobacco Transplant Greenhouses

Project Overview

OS02-001
Project Type: On-Farm Research
Funds awarded in 2002: $12,118.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
Scott Jessee
Email
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State Univ.

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Fruits: general small fruits

Practices

  • Production Systems: general crop production

    Proposal abstract:

    Burley tobacco producers in Southwest Virginia have a tremendous investment in greenhouses for the production of transplants. These houses are only used for four months of the year. Tobacco quota has been significantly reduced over the past seven years, thus reducing income for producers. In order to make up for lost income, tobacco transplant producers are attempting to produce an alternative crop in their greenhouses during the summer months. Production, Marketing, and Financial Analysis of Seedless Organic Watermelons Grown in Tobacco Transplant Greenhouses is being studied to determine viability of this new enterprise.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    •Determine if watermelons will grow in this environment
    •Determine proper plant spacing and density for each house
    •Learn about trickle irrigation systems
    •Evaluate hydroponic organic fertilizer sources in relation with trickle system
    •Analyze plant sap in order to determine nutrient levels in the plants
    •Scout crop for insects and diseases
    •Market melons and realize a positive financial return

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.