UF AgriGator Spray Program: Watermelon

Nicholas Dufault , Mathews Paret, Kiersten Fullem, Pamela Roberts, Gary Vallad, andSusannah Da Silva

Release Date: 1/22/2026

DOI: 10.32473/edis-pp386-2026

Agriculture

Abstract

This guide is intended as a resource for Extension agents and growers and contains information about common oomycete, fungal, and bacterial disease issues in watermelon production. It contains management considerations, information on commonly encountered diseases, and a suggested seasonal spray schedule tailored to specific disease concerns. This publication has been created using data from pesticide efficacy trials and input from experts in watermelon production.

About this Publication

This document is PP386, one of a series of the Department of Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2026. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Authors

Nicholas Dufault

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, fungal plant disease management of field and vegetable crops, UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology, Gainesville, FL

View Nicholas Dufault's Profile

Mathews Paret

Specialist

University of Florida

professor and chair, pathogen diagnosis and management of specialty crops, UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology, Gainesville, FL

View Mathews Paret's Profile

Kiersten Fullem

postdoc

University of Florida

postdoctoral associate, UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology

View Kiersten Fullem's Profile

Pamela Roberts

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, diagnosis, epidemiology, and integrated pest management of vegetable diseases, Department of Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL

View Pamela Roberts's Profile

Gary Vallad

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, disease diagnosis and management, Department of Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL

View Gary Vallad's Profile

Susannah Da Silva

staff

University of Florida

agricultural/food scientist II, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center

View Susannah Da Silva's Profile

Publication #PP386