Contents

I. Introduction to Integrated Crop Management

II. Economics of Production

III. Cucurbit Marketing Alternatives

Direct Marketing Alternatives
Non-Direct Marketing Alternatives
Choosing Outlets for Produce

IV. Field and Packing Shed Sanitation

Sources of Contamination and Methods of Control

Field Sources
Water
Workers
Pests
Equipment and Facilities
HACCP

Scheduling for Food Safety

Things to do Several Times a Day
Things to do Once a Day
Things to do Once a Month or Between Operations
Other Things to Keep in Mind

Common Types of Sanitizers and Their Use

Chlorine-Based Sanitizers
Quaternary Ammonia Compounds
Iodophors

General Cleaning Tips

Recommendations for Documentation

Conclusions

Glossary of Food Safety Terms

V. Cucurbit Crop Management

Introduction
Expected Yield
Management Intensity
Crop Rotation
Sanitation
Site and Soil Selection
Soil Testing
On-Farm Testing
Soil pH and Crop Nutrient Needs

Soil pH
Phosphorus and Potassium
Nitrogen

Soil Preparation

Mulches
Windbreaks

Cultivar Selection

Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Squash
Pumpkin
Cucumber

Winter Melon Types and Cultivars
Irrigation
Planting
Seeding

Cantaloupe
Squash
Pumpkin
Cucumber

Transplanting
Fruit Pruning
Management of Weeds

Management of Insects and Mites in Cucurbit Production

Introduction
Pollination
Factors Affecting Pollination
The Importance of Wild Bee Pollinators
Monitoring Pollination
Insect Pest Management Concepts
Basic Steps for IPM Insect Management

Insect-Mite Damage and Control

Cultural Control
Biological Control
Plant Resistance

Soil Insects

Seed or Root Maggots
Wireworms
Grubs

Above-Ground Pests

Cucumber Beetles
Squash Bug
Aphids
Thrips
Squash Vine Borer
Melonworm and Pickleworm
Spider Mites

Management of Diseases

Crop Rotation
Site Selection
Sanitation
Variety Selection
Soil Fumigation
Disease-free Seed and Transplants
Weed Control
Insect Control
Chemical Control
Irrigation
Scouting
Residue Management

Photos of Weeds, Insects, and Diseases

Cucurbit Diseases in Oklahoma

Acid Yellowing of Cantaloupes
Anthracnose
Alternaria Leaf Spot
Bacterial Fruit Blotch
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Bacterial Wilt
Cercospora Leaf Spot
Downy Mildew
Fusarium Wilt
Gummy Stem Blight and Black Rot
Mosaic Viruses
Phytophthora Blight
Powdery Mildew
Rind Necrosis
Root-Knot Nematode
Yellow Vine

Management of Vertebrate Animals

VI. Harvesting & Handling

Harvesting

Watermelons
Cantaloupes and Honeydews
Squash and Pumpkins
Cucumbers

Post Harvest Handling

Watermelon
Cantaloupes and Honeydews
Squash and Pumpkins
Cucumbers

VII. Pesticide Application & Safety

Hazards to Target Plants

Phytotoxicity
Factors for Phytotoxicity
Drift Problems
Persistence Beyond Control Period
Tank Mixes
Mixture of Pesticides & Fertilizers
Spray Additives

Effective Spraying of Vegetable Crops
Improving Application of Pesticides
Sprayer Care and Calibration

5 Step Calibration Process
Calibration Examples

Disposal of Pesticide Containers
Regulatory Matters

Endangered Species Act
Migratory Bird Act
Water Quality
Bee Labeling

Pesticide Safety

Dermal Toxicity Hazards
Hand Exposure
Feet Exposure
Eye Exposure
Lung Exposure
Worker Protection Standard
Posting
Minimizing Hazards for Applicators and Workers
Selection of Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Clothing
PPE Material
PPE Construction
Seams
Fabric
Zipper, Button, Velcro, Draw String, Snap
Cleaning and Disposal of PPE
Pesticide Record Keeping

References
Appendix 1

Cucumber budgets
Cantaloupe budgets
Summer Squash budgets
Watermelon budgets

Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4