A new watermelon from Agristar do Brasil has shown strong tolerance to key diseases that affect the fruit, while also producing a sweet and crunchy intense red flesh.

Agristar expert in cucurbits and product development, Eduardo Cleto, told RuralBR the Explorer watermelon showed reduced losses from the watermelon mosaic virus and zucchini yellow mosaic virus.

"Compared to other materials that are now being sold in the market, it actually provides a condition of decreased losses from virus attacks," Cleto was quoted as saying.

"The Explorer is on average 10% to 20% more productive."

While the fruit had improved productivity, Cleto said it was still important to control the aphids and thrips that transmitted disease.

"Farmers need to control these vectors. If the virus reaches the area, it is necessary to eliminate the plants that have symptoms, and avoid staggered plantings," the expert told RuralBR.

The productivity results come from plantations where the Explorer has been introduced in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás, as well as parts of the northeast.

Cleto added the variety had good post-harvest characteristics during transport.

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