NAREI researching solution for disease affecting watermelons

Apr 05, 2018 News

This is the first time in 18 years that Jagatnarine Udai would not be planting watermelons, one of his main crops. Udai does not want to risk investing in watermelons to suffer a loss like he did the last crop. A bacterial fruit blotch caused by Acidovoraxavenae subsp. Citrulli had affected his watermelon farm situated in Little Biaboo. His farm was not the only casualty.
In response, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has commenced a project to control bacterial disease affecting watermelon. Initial tests have reported the presence of bacterial blotch on watermelon. There is no single control option available for this disease.
According to Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, in the past year, some farmers in Little Biaboo and Bush Lot have reported severe crop losses due to the death of watermelon plants during the rainy season. This has affected them financially.
He stated that given the severity of the disease in Little Biaboo a field trial will be conducted there. The experiment will use four farmers’ field as blocks. The project focuses on an integrated approach of seed treatment, proper fertilizer application, sanitation, resistant varieties and the use of biological and fungicidal control for this disease.
The trial will be done in parts. Each experiment will be conducted using a split design with treatment one representing the whole plot and the second treatment representing the subplot treatment. “Promising results obtained from each field trial will be incorporated into further research trials to test for varietal resistant against this disease,” Dr. Homenauth said.
Research takes time but farmers like Udai need a solution urgently. Without a solution Udai’s livelihood is threatened. Even though he plants other crops such as bora and plantains, watermelon was a significant revenue earner. In fact, he was in the process of having his watermelon farm certified to venture into the export market.
The now unused plot once produced 1,000 roots with each producing between 20 and 40 pounds of watermelons weekly. The produce is sold wholesale to middlemen and the surplus is sold by Udai at Mahaica Market.
Whilst the experiment is ongoing, he will not be able to supply customers with watermelons fresh from his farm.
However, there is no shortage of watermelons nationwide. Satesh (only name given) also plants and sells fruits and vegetables on a large scale. Watermelon is one of his main crops. His crops are sold at two retail locations: Bourda Market and North Road in Georgetown. He also supplies middlemen and exporters. Watermelon is one of his main crops.
According to Satesh, his farm produces between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of watermelons weekly. This amount is usually sold out. “Previously a lot of the watermelons were shipped out but now I see they are being purchased by our regular retail customers,” he said.
Satesh, whose farm is situated at the Canal conservancy, West Bank Demerara, assured that his watermelon farm is not being affected by any disease.

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