Watermelon
CROP GUIDE
Committed to Excellence
from the field to the table
We are committed to helping growers get the most from their
crops, both now and for generations to come. Partnering
with our customers every step of the way, we offer advanced,
innovative solutions that provide growers with the tools they
need in the field to ultimately put the food on the table. After
all, our job is about helping customers deliver high-quality,
nutritious vegetables to the market. We leverage our rich history
in the industry, strong presence in the market and significant
investment in the future of agriculture to help you do just that.
Partnering for
Success
Our roots in the vegetable industry run deep, tracing
back to 1876 with the establishment of ROGERS®
brand seed. For more than 130 years, we have
worked boot-to-boot with our vegetable customers
to provide a truly cutting edge, individualized
approach to solution building.
Addressing Whole-farm Challenges
We believe that, to be successful, sustainable agriculture metrics must be integrated into dayto-day operations and decision-making, and that the value of doing this must exceed the cost.
Through our AgriEdge Excelsior® program, we’re providing growers with data-rich, whole-farm
management tools that help them make agronomically sound decisions, operate more efficiently
and meet sustainable sourcing demands.
Innovating for the Future
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-theart 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
processes both large-seeded and small-seeded vegetables.
It houses a unique, two-pass drying system that most
closely resembles natural drying in the field. Seed is stored
within optimal parameters of temperature and humidity,
ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality seed.
This facility is the Center of
Excellence for breeding of
large-seeded vegetables
including sweet corn, snap
peas and garden beans.
Its Product Quality Control
laboratory manages quality
control of all Syngenta
vegetable seeds for North
America and facilitates
approximately 50,000
samples annually.
ngle
ch Tria
Resear , NC
Park
Syngenta Research
Stations
Syngenta Seed
Processing Facilities
Naples Research Station
Woodland Research Station
Undergoing a major expansion to enhance R&D
and seed production capabilities, this station
serves as a hub for cereal, corn, cucurbit and
fruiting vegetable research in the California
Central Valley.
This station lies just south of the frost line in Florida,
allowing two generations per year of most crops. It
includes more than 100 open-field acres and contains
more than 60,000 square feet of greenhouse space, as
well as controlled growth environments and laboratories.
Supporting the Industry
Our commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond solutions,
service, and support – it’s an investment in the future success of the
industry as well. We are proud to work closely with industry organizations,
such as the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), California Association
of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), Produce for Better Health, Produce
Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, as an
advocate for sustainable vegetable production and consumption.
Proud To
Support FFA
Increase your productivity with
Full Count Deuces
companion transplants
FEATURES
•Full Count® Deuces companion trays come
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!*
* Based on studies conducted by Syngenta in AZ/CA.
SP-6
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
pollenizers - 50 percent marketable seeded
watermelons plus 50 percent Super PollenizerTM
Full Count® Duals plant
•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
* Based on studies conducted by Syngenta in AZ/CA.
SP-6
Estrella
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
maturity
•Dark red, firm flesh and very
smooth skin
•Large fruit size early, with mostly
45- and 36-count fruit and a few
60-count fruit
•Intermediate resistance to Fusarium wilt
race 1 and Anthracnose race 1
•Has shown less hollow heart than
traditional varieties in early season
production areas
•Under conditions favorable to “water ring”
has shown minimal issues as compared to
standard varieties
•First-to-market advantages
•Attractive appearance and great flavor
for high market demand
•Ideal for early season plantings in the
eastern U.S.
NEW! Excursion
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.
•Large fruit size potential with 50
percent or more 36-count fruit
•Excels in early to main season
plantings where large fruit size is
desired to meet market demands
•Matures up to seven days earlier than the
current “standard” to hit early markets
•Large, oval-shaped fruit with classic
Crimson stripe appearance
•Strong and vigorous plant for better
performance under stressful conditions
•Improved disease resistance with
intermediate resistance to Fusarium
wilt race 1 and Anthracnose race 1
•In the field has shown stronger
Fusarium tolerance than
comparable varieties
NEW!! Excursion
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
•Large fruit size potential with 50 percent or more 36-count fruit
•Large, oval-shaped fruit with a classic Crimson
stripe appearance
•Strong vine growth
•Improved disease resistance with intermediate resistance to
Fusarium wilt race 1 and Anthracnose race 1
BENEFITS
•Matures up to seven days earlier than the current “standard”
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
shown minimal issues as compared to standard varieties
•Strong and vigorous plant for better performance under
stressful conditions
•In the field, has shown stronger Fusarium tolerance than
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
•Richer rind pattern than standard
seedless varieties
•Uniform fruit with attractive, dark red
flesh color
•Early maturity! Can be five to seven
days earlier than Tri-X 313
•Heavy, concentrated set of
14- to 16-pound fruit
Tri-X 313
Distinction
Amarillo
•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
•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
•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
Sangria
•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
•“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
Top Gun
Jamboree
•Produces a more uniform shape and
better fruit quality compared to other
Crimson Sweet types
•Improved flesh quality including a bright
red color
•Excellent seedling vigor to get the crop
off to a good start
•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
Rind Pattern
Days to
Maturity
Comparative
Maturity
Fruit Shape
Plant Vigor
Fruit Weight
Range (lbs)
Classic rind type
74
Early
Blocky
Low
16 - 20
Rich, dark rind
79
Early
Round
Medium
14 - 16
Classic rind type
81
Early-Mid
Blocky
High
18 - 22
Rich, dark rind
83
Early-Mid
Blocky
Medium
16 - 20
Classic rind type
86
Early-Mid
Blocky
Medium
15 - 18
Rich, dark rind
89
Early-Mid
Blocky
High
14 - 17
Rich, dark rind
90
Full Season
Blocky
Very High
17 - 21
Rich, dark rind
90
Full Season
Round
High
15 - 18
SWEET DAWN
MELODY
EXCURSION
FASCINATION
TRI-X 313
CAPTIVATION
EXCLAMATION
DISTINCTION
INTERMEDIATE DISEASE
RESISTANCE
FRUIT SIZE RANGE
KEY FEATURES
36-count
45-count
60-count
Fusarium Wilt
race 1
Anthracnose
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.vegetables.syngenta-us.com.
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
•Crop damage caused by harvesting pollenizer varieties is eliminated
Full Count
Deuces plant
Technical data: watermelon
Variety
Approximate
days to maturity
Fruit shape
Fruit weight
range (lbs)
Rind pattern
Flesh
description
Disease
resistance
SEEDLESS
Sweet Dawn
74
Blocky
16 - 20
Light green, very smooth skin with
hazy broad, medium-dark green
stripes
Dark red, firm flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Melody
79
Medium, globe
shaped fruit
14 - 16
Medium green with
deep green stripes
Dark red flesh
IR: Co: 1
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,
dark green stripes
Yellow flesh
None reported
Excursion
81
Blocky
18 - 22
Light green with hazy, broad,
medium-dark green stripes
Red, firm flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Fascination
83
Blocky
16 - 20
Very deep, rich green skin with a
medium Crimson Sweet stripe
Dark red, firm flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Tri-X 313
86
Blocky
15 - 18
Light green with hazy, broad,
medium-dark green stripes
Red flesh
None reported
Captivation
89
Blocky
14 - 17
Deep green skin color with a
Crimson Sweet type skin
Red, firm flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Exclamation
90
Blocky
17 - 21
Deep green skin color with a
Crimson Sweet type skin
Firm, red flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Distinction
90
Globe
15 - 18
Deep green skin color with a
Crimson Sweet type skin
Red, firm flesh
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Top Gun
78
Globe
22 - 26
Medium green with broad,
medium-dark green stripes
Red flesh with mediumlarge seed size
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Estrella
80
Long, blocky
20 - 24
Dark green with broken,
light green stripes
Dark red flesh with
small seed size
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Sangria
80
Elongated
20 - 24
Dark green with broken,
light green stripes
Red flesh with medium
seed size
IR: Co: 1 / Fon: 1
Jamboree
82
Elongated
24 - 28
Dark green with broken,
light green stripes
Red flesh with medium
seed size
IR: Co / Fon
Globe
1-2
Rind is brittle with green coloring
and thin yellow striping
Medium yellow
IR: Co: 1 /
Fon: 1, 2 / Px: 1 /
ZYMV
SEEDED
NON-HARVEST POLLENIZERS
SP-6
75
Disease abbreviation key
Co Anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare)
Px Fon Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp. niveum)
Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera
xanthii (ex Sphaerotheca fuliginea)
ZYMV Zucchini yellow mosaic (Zucchini yellow
mosaic virus)
HR
High resistance
IR
Intermediate resistance
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.vegetables.syngenta-us.com.
For more information on Syngenta vegetable offerings,
visit www.vegetables.syngenta-us.com
or contact your local Syngenta reseller or representative.
All photos are either the property of Syngenta or used under agreement.
© 2016 Syngenta.
AgriEdge Exclesior®, Full Count®, ROGERS®, Super Pollenizer™, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group
Company.
GS 406.63000
SLC 1762J 11-2016