Watermelon

CROP GUIDE
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from the field to the table
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worked boot-to-boot with our vegetable customers
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approach to solution building.

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Backed by global resources and a daily investment of more than $3 million in research and development, we bring to market
innovative, integrated solutions that help ensure your high-value vegetable crops reach their full genetic potential. Our state-of-the-
art research facilities located across the U.S. are incubators for innovation in the field and in the marketplace, helping to ensure that
we’re providing growers with the tools they need to put food on the table.

Pasco Seed Processing Facility Nampa Research Station

This 40-acre, 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility This facility is the Center of
processes both large-seeded and small-seeded vegetables. Excellence for breeding of
It houses a unique, two-pass drying system that most large-seeded vegetables
closely resembles natural drying in the field. Seed is stored including sweet corn, snap
within optimal parameters of temperature and humidity, peas and garden beans.
ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality seed. Its Product Quality Control
laboratory manages quality
control of all Syngenta
vegetable seeds for North
America and facilitates
approximately 50,000
samples annually.

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Resear , NC
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Syngenta Research
Stations

Syngenta Seed
Processing Facilities

Naples Research Station

Woodland Research Station This station lies just south of the frost line in Florida,
allowing two generations per year of most crops. It
This station serves as a hub for cereal, corn,
includes more than 100 open-field acres and contains
cucurbit and fruiting vegetable research in the
more than 60,000 square feet of greenhouse space, as
California Central Valley and is home to the
well as controlled growth environments and laboratories.
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such as the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), California Association
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Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, as an
Proud To

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Increase your productivity with
Full Count Deuces
companion transplants
FEATURES

• Comes pre-set with a 3:1 seedless to Super PollenizerTM ratio

• Plugs are easy to order and easy to use; simply load
the plugs, pull and transplant
• Re-plant guesswork is eliminated;
only order the quantity needed and re-plant
• Available with select Syngenta seedless
watermelon varieties

BENEFITS

• Increases transplant efficiency as pollenizer and

seedless ratios are pre-set making transplanting
quick and efficient with no mix-ups
• Saves up to 35 percent in transplant labor costs
by requiring fewer field employees*
• Increases productivity as transplant crews can
cover more acreage faster, because fewer
plugs are pulled

Transplant labor savings

as high as 35 percent!*
SP-7
* Based on studies conducted by Syngenta in AZ/CA.
Diversify your pollen source with
Full Count Duals
companion transplants
FEATURES

• Comes pre-set with a 3:1 seedless variety to

pollenizer variety ratio; half of the pollenizers are
a seeded watermelon variety and half are a Super
PollenizerTM variety
• Plugs are easy-to-order and easy-to-use; simply
pull and transplant
• Re-plant guesswork is eliminated; order the
quantity needed and re-plant
• Available with select Syngenta seedless
watermelon varieties

BENEFITS

• Delivery of two different pollenizers without

hassle at transplanting
• Dual pollen source with two different types of
Full Count® Duals plant
pollenizers - 50 percent marketable seeded
watermelons plus 50 percent Super PollenizerTM
• Increases transplant efficiency as pollenizer and
seedless ratios are pre-set making transplanting
quick and efficient with fewer or no mix-ups
• Savings of up to 35 percent in transplant labor
costs by requiring fewer field employees*
• Increases productivity as transplant crews can
cover more acreage faster
SP-7 Estrella
* Based on studies conducted by Syngenta in AZ/CA.
Market leaders in watermelon genetics
Seedless Varieties

Fascination
High-yielding Fascination produces excellent seedless watermelons with unique, advanced features that bring premium
market pricing.

• Uniform 45- and 36-count
blocky fruit
• Attractive red, firm flesh
• Very small “pips” and great watermelon
flavor for retail markets
• Superior eye appeal; glossy, rich
rind color
• Excellent yield potential
• Maturity is usually 2 to 3 days earlier
than mid-season varieties
• Improved disease resistance with
intermediate resistance to Fusarium wilt
race 1 and Anthracnose race 1
• Complete package: disease
resistance + quality + yield
• Ships and holds well
• Ideal for the fresh-cut industry
with high-quality halves, quarters
and cubes

Captivation
Captivation produces a heavy set of medium- to large-sized, blocky-shaped seedless fruit with a rich rind appearance that is suitable
for both fresh market and fresh-cut use.

• Attractive, dark red flesh with firm texture
and small pip size for repeat sales
• Mostly 45-count fruit for whole
fruit markets
• Uniform, consistent fruit size and shape
provides a high-quality product
• Improved fruit set for high yield potential
• Maturity 4 to 5 days later
than Fascination
• Strong disease resistance and plant
growth habit for less than ideal
field conditions
Sweet Dawn
Sweet Dawn is an early-maturing variety that produces consistently high yields, offering growers significant first-to-market
advantages. Its large, oval-shaped fruit, sweet, firm flesh and rich, classic Crimson rind pattern make it a sweet option for retailers
and consumers alike.
• Early maturity, similar to Melody • Intermediate resistance to Fusarium wilt • First-to-market advantages
maturity race 1 and Anthracnose race 1 • Attractive appearance and great flavor
• Dark red, firm flesh and very • Has shown less hollow heart than for high market demand
smooth skin traditional varieties in early season • Ideal for early season plantings in the
• Large fruit size early, with mostly production areas eastern U.S.
45- and 36-count fruit and a few • Under conditions favorable to water ring
60-count fruit has shown minimal issues as compared to
standard varieties
Excursion
Syngenta’s Newest Variety!
An early to mid maturing seedless variety, Excursion performs well even in challenging conditions to meet
market demands. It produces large, oval-shaped fruit with deep red flesh that mature up to seven days
earlier than the current standard varieties.

FEATURES TECHNICAL DATA

Approximate days 81
• Large fruit size potential with 50 percent or more 36-count fruit to maturity
• Large, oval-shaped fruit with a classic Crimson Fruit shape Blocky
stripe appearance
• Strong vine growth Fruit weight (lbs) 18 to 22
• Improved disease resistance with intermediate resistance to Rind pattern Light green with
Fusarium wilt race 1 and Anthracnose race 1 hazy, broad,
medium-dark green
stripes
BENEFITS Flesh description Deep red, firm flesh
Disease IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
• Matures up to seven days earlier than the current “standard”
resistance
to hit early markets
• Excels in early to main season plantings where large fruit size
is desired to meet market demands
• Improved flesh quality over standard varieties in this segment
• Under conditions favorable to water ring, this variety has DISEASE ABBREVIATION KEY
shown minimal issues as compared to standard varieties
Co Anthracnose caused
• Strong and vigorous plant for better performance under by Colletotrichum orbiculare
stressful conditions Fon Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum
f.sp. niveum
• In the field, has shown stronger Fusarium tolerance than
IR Intermediate resistance
comparable varieties.
Exclamation
A full-season maturity seedless variety, Exclamation produces blocky, firm-fleshed fruit of uniform size with an attractive rind,
small pips and sweet flesh.

• Larger fruit size: mostly 36- and
45-count fruit
• Rich, Crimson Sweet rind pattern
that buyers prefer
• Firm flesh makes this an excellent
choice for fresh cut
• Full season maturity, later than Fascination
by 5 to 7 days
• Variety performs well under warm to hot
growing conditions
• Vigorous growth habit and strong disease
package to protect field investment
• Good fruit set for high yield potential
• Fruit have shown good field holding
ability allowing for a more flexible
harvest schedule

Melody
Melody offers growers the advantage of an early maturity to take advantage of first-of-the-season market demand for an
attractive and flavorful seedless watermelon.

• Attractive, dark red flesh color • Uniform fruit with attractive, • Heavy, concentrated set of
• Richer rind pattern than standard dark red flesh color 14- to 16-pound fruit
seedless varieties • Early maturity! Can be five to seven
days earlier than Tri-X 313
Tri-X 313
• The “Original Seedless”
• Blocky shape, fruit average
15 to 18 pounds
• Provides a marketable mix of
45- and 36-count fruit
• Widely adaptable across growing
areas and seasons
• Very reliable for yield and quality
Distinction
• Very firm, red flesh with potential
for fresh-cut use
• Globe-shaped, medium-large fruit
mostly in the 15- to 18-pound size range
• Richer rind color than traditional
seedless varieties
• Good fruit set and high yield potential
• Does well under warm to hot
growing conditions
Amarillo
• Bright, deep yellow flesh color
• Broad adaptability
• Average fruit size from 13 to 15
pounds per fruit
• Distinctive rind pattern
Sweet Gem
• Mostly 60- and 45-count seedless fruit
with round shape
• Attractive, firm red flesh with small pips
and crisp, sweet, mouth-watering flavor
• Rich, glossy, dark green rind with
classy appearance
• Good fruit set with earlier maturity and
excellent yield potential
• Ideal for roadside and local markets
Seeded Varieties

Estrella
• Allsweet-type hybrid
• Early maturity
• Uniform fruit size, averaging
20 to 24 pounds
• Classy and uniform fruit shape can
mean more potential marketable yield
• Dark red, firm flesh with small seeds
and smaller seed pockets
• Heavy, concentrated fruit set
Sangria
• “Gold standard” for eating quality in
the Allsweet market
• Fruit averages 18 to 22 pounds
• Dark red flesh with superior
eating quality
• Good shipper with a following among
many growers, brokers and shippers

Jamboree
• Allsweet heritage with deep red flesh
and excellent flavor
• Larger fruit size, averaging 24 to
28 pounds
• Fruit can size well under cool and
stressed conditions
• Dependable, uniform fruit
Syngenta Seedless Watermelon
varieties for a season long program

VARIETY VARIETY CHARACTERISTICS

Days to Comparative Fruit Weight

Rind Pattern Fruit Shape Plant Vigor
Maturity Maturity Range (lbs)

Classic rind type 74 Early Blocky Low 16 - 20

SWEET DAWN

Rich, dark rind 79 Early Round Medium 14 - 16

MELODY

Classic rind type 81 Early-Mid Blocky High 18 - 22

EXCURSION

Rich, dark rind 83 Early-Mid Blocky Medium 16 - 20

FASCINATION

Classic rind type 86 Early-Mid Blocky Medium 15 - 18

TRI-X 313

Rich, dark rind 89 Early-Mid Blocky High 14 - 17

CAPTIVATION

Rich, dark rind 90 Full Season Blocky Very High 17 - 21

EXCLAMATION

DISTINCTION Rich, dark rind 90 Full Season Round High 15 - 18

 INTERMEDIATE DISEASE
FRUIT SIZE RANGE RESISTANCE KEY FEATURES

Fusarium Wilt Anthracnose

36-count 45-count 60-count
race 1 race 1

10-20% 50-60% 25-35% Yes Yes Early maturity! Large fruit size. Reduced
incidence of hollow heart. Adapted well to the
eastern U.S.

5-15% 65-75% 15-25% No Yes First-to-market advantage. Improved fruit set

under cool conditions.

50-60% 30-40% 5-15% Yes Yes Large fruit size—mostly 36-count fruit.

20-30% 45-55% 20-30% Yes Yes Industry leader. Exceptional fruit quality. Blend
of 45- and 36-count fruit.

20-30% 45-55% 20-30% No No Industry standard.

10-20% 65-75% 10-20% Yes Yes Medium fruit size. Uniform fruit shape and size.
Complements Fascination.

45-55% 35-45% 5-15% Yes Yes Large fruit size. Firm flesh. Excellent field holding
ability. Strong vine vigor.

15-25% 55-65% 15-25% Yes Yes Enhanced performance under warm to hot
conditions. Improved fruit set.

Disease abbreviation key: Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare, Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Niveum. In cases where
specific races or strains are not noted, the variety is resistant to some, but not necessarily all known races or strains of the pathogen.
For complete disease resistance information, please visit www.SyngentaUS.com/vegetables.
Super Pollenizer SP-6
The choice for Full Count Deuces

FIELD / GROWER FEATURES

• Intermediate resistance to: Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2, Anthracnose

race 1, zucchini yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew
• Hardier transplants than prior Super Pollenizers under early
season, cool conditions
• More multiple branches than prior Super Pollenizers, providing the
potential for a larger number of male flowers throughout the season
• Fruit has a brittle rind with a distinct rind pattern
• Plant has a small leaf on an open, lacy vine

BUYER / CONSUMER TRAITS

• No competitive effect on the yield of seedless watermelon

• Early extended flowering with pollen available throughout
the entire growing season
• Patented technology designed to optimize seedless growing operations
Full Count
• Crop damage caused by harvesting pollenizer varieties is eliminated Deuces plant
NEW!! Super Pollenizer SP-7
A unique combination of attributes

FIELD / GROWER FEATURES

• SP-7 has shown to deliver early male blooms that are earlier than current commercial varieties
• 25% larger male flowers plus a higher production of male flowers than SP-6
• In trials, the number of male blooms per plant has been nearly double of SP-6
• The vine has a high level of branching which increases the production of male flowers
• Trials have shown extended flowering with pollen available throughout the entire growing season
• Intermediate resistance to: Fusarium wilt race 1, Anthracnose race 1 and powdery mildew

BUYER / CONSUMER TRAITS

• 2016/17 university trials have shown improved seedless watermelon fruit set and/or fruit size with SP-7
• No competitive effect on the yield of seedless watermelon
• Easy to see fruit with a distinct rind pattern and a brittle rind which crushes easily
• Crop damage caused by harvesting pollenizer varieties is eliminated

Protected by U.S. Patent and Pending Applications No: 6,759,576; 7,071,374 (10/349,509); 7,528,298 (10/933,791); 7,550,652;
8,173,873; 8,212,118; 12/360,991; and 15/386,360.
Technical data: watermelon
Variety Approximate Fruit shape Fruit weight Rind pattern Flesh Disease
days to maturity range (lbs) description resistance
SEEDLESS
Sweet Dawn 74 Blocky 16 - 20 Light green, very smooth skin with Dark red, firm flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
hazy broad, medium-dark green stripes
Melody 79 Medium, globe 14 - 16 Medium green with Dark red flesh IR: Co: 1
shaped fruit deep green stripes
Sweet Gem 79 Globe 13 - 16 Rich, glossy, dark green skin Dark red flesh None reported

Amarillo 80 Globe 13 - 15 Medium green with narrow, Yellow flesh None reported
dark green stripes
Excursion 81 Blocky 18 - 22 Light green with hazy, broad, Red, firm flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
medium-dark green stripes
Fascination 83 Blocky 16 - 20 Very deep, rich green skin with Dark red, firm flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
a medium Crimson Sweet stripe
Tri-X 313 86 Blocky 15 - 18 Light green with hazy, broad, Red flesh None reported
medium-dark green stripes
Captivation 89 Blocky 14 - 17 Deep green skin color with Red, firm flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
a Crimson Sweet type skin
Exclamation 90 Blocky 17 - 21 Deep green skin color with Firm, red flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
a Crimson Sweet type skin
Distinction 90 Globe 15 - 18 Deep green skin color with Red, firm flesh IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
a Crimson Sweet type skin
SEEDED
Estrella 80 Long, blocky 20 - 24 Dark green with broken, Dark red flesh with IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
light green stripes small seed size
Sangria 80 Elongated 20 - 24 Dark green with broken, Red flesh with medium IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
light green stripes seed size
Jamboree 82 Elongated 24 - 28 Dark green with broken, Red flesh with medium IR: Co / Fon
light green stripes seed size
NON-HARVEST POLLENIZERS
SP-6 75 Globe 1-2 Rind is brittle with green coloring and Medium yellow IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1, 2 / Px: 1
thin yellow striping / ZYMV
SP-7 75 Globe 1-2 Distinct, brittle rind Medium yellow Co: 1 / Fon: 1 / Px: 1

Disease abbreviation key

Co Anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare) Px Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera HR High resistance
xanthii (ex Sphaerotheca fuliginea) IR Intermediate resistance
Fon Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp. niveum) ZYMV Zucchini yellow mosaic (Zucchini yellow
mosaic virus)
In cases where specific races or strains are not noted, the variety is resistant to some, but not necessarily all known races or strains of the pathogen. For complete disease resistance
information, please visit www.SyngentaUS.com/vegetables.

For more information on Syngenta vegetable offerings,

visit www.SyngentaUS.com/vegetables or contact your local Syngenta reseller or representative.
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GS 2060_8 SLC 1762K 10-2017