| Grading Guide: Watermelon |
| Illustrated Criteria for USDA Fancy Watermelon |
A USDA Fancy Watermelon is:
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Mature |
Similar Varietal Characteristics |
Fairly Well Formed |
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Seedless watermelon are watermelons which have 10 or less mature seeds, not to include pips/caplets, on the face of the melon which has been cut into four equal sections (one lengthwise and one crosswise cut). |
Not Overripe
(Above is Overripe) |
A USDA Fancy Watermelon is free from these defects:
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Photo source: USDA/AMS Fruit and
Vegetable Programs
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Photo source: USDA/AMS Fruit and
Vegetable Programs
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Anthracnose |
Decay |
Sunscald |
Whiteheart |
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| Damage by any means |
Photos below illustrate categories of damage specified in the USDA Fancy criteria.
Check classification of defects for allowable limits.
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Surface Damage:
(Rind Worm, Hail, Transit Rubbing, etc.) |
Hollow Heart |
Internal Rind Spot |
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Side Bruises |
End Bruise |
This project made possible by financial assistance from Indiana's Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Value-Added Research Grant Program.
| Grading Guide: Watermelon |
| Definitions of Criteria for USDA Fancy Watermelon |
Categories of Damage:
Sunburn |
Hail, Rind Worm Injury
Scars and Other Similar Defects Except Anthracnose |
Whiteheart |
Hollow heart |
- Area exceeds 9 sq. in. (58 sq. cm) of greenish-yellow sunburn of
a 25 lb. (11.3 kg) watermelon
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- Aggregating more than 5 sq. in (32 sq. cm) on a 25-lb. (11.3 kg) watermelon
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- A hard white streak of flesh extending though the heart of the watermelon
exceeding a circle 1/4 in. (6 mm) in diameter
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- Cracks aggregating more than 1-1/4 in. (33 mm) in
width on a 25-lb (11.3 kg) long-type watermelon or the aggregate
width exceeds 2 in. (51 mm) on a 25-lb (11.3 kg) round-type watermelon
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| Internal
Rind Spot |
Soft
ends |
Transit
rubs |
Bruises |
- Aggregate area exceeds a circle 1 in. (25 mm) in diameter
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- End yields readily to slight pressure applied by palm of the hand
or shriveling is associated with the soft end
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- Aggregating more than 5 sq. in. (32 sq. cm) of medium brown discoloration
on a 25-lb (11.3 kg) watermelon
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- Side bruises over 3 in. (76.2 mm) in diameter and sunken
- End bruises over 2 in. (50.8 mm) in diameter and sunken
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This project made possible by financial assistance from Indiana's Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Value-Added Research Grant Program.