NC State Extension Horticultural Science Vegetable Specialist, Jonathan Schultheis, and the Cultural Management Program in the Horticulture Department at NC State have summarized the results from their 2025 North Carolina Standard Size Triploid Watermelon Evaluation Study and the report is now available on the Cucurbit Portal. Please visit the Cucurbit Cultivar Evaluations & Variety Trials page to view field studies on melons, pumpkins, and squash from previous years.

Dr. Schultheis and his team evaluated 20 standard size triploid (seedless) cultigens from 7 seed companies at the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton, NC. The watermelon entries were evaluated for yield and for quality characteristics such as soluble solids (sweetness or Brix), color, flesh firmness, and hollow heart.

This study was made possible by the assistance of Hunter Barrier (Superintendent) and Wesley Hairre (Horticulture Supervisor), Horticultural Crops Research Station, Clinton, NC, as well as the personnel at the research station for their help in establishing, maintaining, and harvesting the 2025 cultigen evaluation study. We also want to acknowledge summer employees Cameron Roberts, Dylan Orechovesky, Ariana Phouangkeo, and Isabella Johnson for their assistance with this study. The cooperation and support of Enza Zaden, HM Clause, Known You Seed, Origene Seeds, Rijk Zwaan, Seedway, and Syngenta were also appreciated. Finally, want to thank Joy Smith for performing the statistical analysis and aiding in the interpretation of the data collected from this study.