Clemson University scientists are closing in on a breakthrough that could provide watermelon growers with a powerful new tool against one of the crop’s most destructive diseases.
During the 2026 Clemson University Watermelon Field Day, Sandra Branham, a Clemson vegetable breeder, will share updates on promising new breeding lines designed to provide resistance to Fusarium wilt, with new varieties potentially available within the near future.
The field day will be held July 9 at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center, 64 Research Road, Blackville, SC 29817. Growers, researchers, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service specialists and industry partners will learn about the latest developments in watermelon production and research.
Attendance is free, but registration through Eventbrite is requested.
In addition to updates on Fusarium wilt research, field day attendees will hear presentations on industry trends, advances in watermelon breeding and innovative approaches to fruit quality assessment before moving to field demonstrations.
What to expect:
Indoor Session
- Update on National Watermelon Promotion Board activities and the South Carolina supply scene.
- Jason Hanselman, industry affairs analyst, will give updates on trends and what the National Watermelon Promotion Board is doing to support South Carolina watermelon growers.
- Update on Fusarium wilt breeding in watermelon.
- Branham will discuss research on breeding watermelons with Fusarium wilt resistance.
- Studying spectral imaging as a tool for non-destructive assessment of watermelon quality.
- Karin Albornoz, an assistant professor in the Clemson Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences Department located at the Coastal REC, will discuss using spectral imaging to assess watermelon quality.
Field Tour
- Drone technology in specialty crops.
- Palmetto AgriSpray representatives will demonstrate using drone technology to perform various tasks in specialty crops.
- Robotic precision spraying in specialty cropping – SharpShooter.
- Verdant Robotics representatives will demonstrate how to use the SharpShooter precision application system to control weeds and save up to 80-90% on herbicide use.
- Pre-emergence herbicide basics for watermelons.
- Matthew Cutulle, a Clemson weed scientist at the Edisto REC, will discuss the basics of pre-emergent herbicide application to maximize weed control in watermelon.
- Optimized production guidelines for Carolina Strongback grafted watermelon plants.
- Vasanthkumar SS, a graduate research assistant, and Bhupinder Singh Jatana, Clemon professor and horticulturist, will discuss optimized production guidelines for Carolina Strongback grafted watermelon plants. Carolina strongback rootstock has resistance against Fusarium wilt races 2 and 3 and root knot nematode, both of which are among the biggest watermelon production challenges in South Carolina.
- Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in organic watermelon using nutrient – rich organic fertilizers.
- Ashok Sah, a graduate research assistant, and Jatana will discuss a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project using anaerobic soil disinfestation for weed management in organic watermelon, with nutrient-rich organic fertilizers (also used for nutrient management).
- Watermelon varieties demonstration trials.
- Field day participants will visit watermelon demonstration plots, where Jatana will discuss 15 varieties under study.
Matthew Holt, dean of the Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, will be the guest speaker at a lunch following the field day.
Watermelon is South Carolina’s largest acreage vegetable crop. It is grown in all 46 counties. The annual field day is an opportunity for growers to learn about emerging technologies and management practices.
Watermelon Field Day details:
- Date: July 9.
- Location: Clemson Edisto REC, 64 Research Road, Blackville, S.C. 29817.
- Time: Registration begins at 8 a.m. in front of the main building, followed by indoor presentations until 10 a.m. Online registration for the Watermelon Field Day is available on Eventbrite.
- Contact: Bhupinder Jatana, bjatana@clemson.edu, 864-633-9087.
- Field tour and talks will be conducted until noon.
- For the field portion, participants will drive their vehicles to the watermelon site and enter the field at the east or far gate.
- Lunch will be provided.
- 1.5 South Carolina pesticide credits and/or continuing education hours will be offered.
