Double and triple the average yields obtained with bare soil culture have been obtained, and the optimum cultural practices lead to more uniform quality and flavor among individual muskmelons. Spreading out the application of N and K2O through fertigation can improve yields and fruit quality. Pest Control Diseases can be a major problem in muskmelon production. Major fungal diseases include angular leaf spot, belly rot, microdochium blight, powdery and downy mildew, and scab. These diseases can be controlled through the use of cultural practices, labeled fungicides, and tolerant varieties.
Viral diseases can also be severe in Tennessee grown muskmelon, especially in late season plantings.
Methods for control of viruses include cultural practices such as planting early, controlling aphids, weed control, crop rotation to reduce alternate hosts, and using tolerant varieties. Presently recommended varieties in Tennessee that have disease tolerance include Athena , which is tolerant to downy mildew, and Mission, Primo, Star Headliner, Starship, and Summet, which are tolerant to powdery mildew. Controlling insects is critical since sucking and feeding insects like aphids and cucumber beetles, respectively, can cause serious injury to the plants during early growth stages and also transmit diseases. The mosaic viruses are transmitted by aphids and bacterial wilt is transmitted by cucumber beetles. Also, after fruit set, pickleworms or fruit worms can burrow into the fruit and render it unmarketable.