Wenjing Guan
Associate Professor
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University
Thursday November 20th, at 3:30pm, HORT 117 or via Zoom
Supporting Watermelon Industry in Indiana: Lessons from Ten Years of Research and Extension
Indiana ranks among the leading watermelon-producing states in the United States, with production concentrated in a few counties in southern Indiana. In this region, watermelons play a vital role in the local agricultural economy. Dr. Guan’s research and Extension program, based at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center—located in the heart of Indiana’s watermelon-growing region—is deeply committed to supporting this industry and its growers. This presentation will begin with an overview of the current status of Indiana’s watermelon industry and how it has changed over the past 50 years, drawing on Agricultural Census data. It will then highlight two key areas of Dr. Guan’s applied research: cultivar evaluations and cultural practice improvement. Throughout the presentation, we will examine major environmental challenges facing growers and explore practical solutions informed by research findings, on-farm observations, and conservations with growers and ag-supporting industries. Ultimately, Dr. Guan’s goal is to introduce the audience to the dynamics of Indiana’s watermelon industry, share insights gained over a decade of work, and spark conversations leading to future collaboration.