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The Agricultural History of the Watermelon: From Ancient Delights to Modern Marvels
By Dr. Anya Sharma, PhD in Agricultural History, University of California, Davis
Published by Agronomic Insights, a leading publisher of peer-reviewed agricultural journals and books, renowned for its rigorous editorial standards and commitment to disseminating accurate and insightful agricultural information.
Edited by Dr. David Miller, PhD in Horticulture, with over 20 years of experience in agricultural research and publishing.
Abstract: This article delves into the fascinating agricultural history of the watermelon, tracing its journey from its origins in Northeast Africa to its global cultivation and the significant impact it has had on agricultural practices and economies. We explore the evolution of watermelon varieties, the development of cultivation techniques, and the challenges and opportunities facing the watermelon industry today.
The Ancient Roots of Citrullus lanatus: Unveiling the Agricultural History of the Watermelon
The agricultural history of the watermelon boasts a rich and compelling narrative, stretching back millennia. While pinpointing its exact origins remains a subject of ongoing research, the prevailing consensus points towards Northeast Africa, specifically the Kalahari Desert region, as the watermelon's ancestral home. Archaeological evidence suggests cultivation began as early as 4000 years ago, with evidence found in ancient Egyptian tombs depicting watermelons and suggesting their use in both culinary and ritualistic contexts. This early agricultural history of the watermelon demonstrates its significant role in the diets and cultures of early civilizations.
The ancient Egyptians revered the watermelon, not only for its refreshing pulp but also for its medicinal properties. Hieroglyphics portray its use in religious ceremonies, indicating its profound cultural significance. Beyond Egypt, early cultivation spread across the African continent, with evidence of its presence in various regions throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, further solidifying the agricultural history of the watermelon as intrinsically linked to African development.
Global Expansion and Varietal Diversification: A Journey Across Continents
The agricultural history of the watermelon took a significant turn with the advent of global trade and exploration. Watermelons journeyed from Africa to other parts of the world, adapting to diverse climates and undergoing considerable genetic diversification. Its introduction to Asia, particularly India, is documented in historical texts, showcasing its early adoption within the region’s agricultural practices. Similarly, the arrival of watermelons in Europe and the Americas marked a pivotal moment in the expansion of its cultivation, impacting local agricultural systems.
Early European explorers and traders played a crucial role in disseminating watermelon cultivation, facilitating its introduction to new continents. The Columbian Exchange further accelerated this process, allowing for the cross-pollination of varieties and the development of unique strains adapted to specific geographical locations. This exchange was vital to the agricultural history of the watermelon, introducing new genetic variations and influencing the development of distinct watermelon types across different regions.
Modern Watermelon Cultivation: Technological Advancements and Challenges
The 20th and 21st centuries witnessed remarkable advancements in watermelon cultivation. Technological improvements, including the development of hybrid varieties, advanced irrigation techniques, and precision agriculture practices, have revolutionized watermelon production. The creation of disease-resistant varieties and the application of integrated pest management strategies have enhanced productivity and reduced reliance on chemical inputs. This modern agricultural history of the watermelon illustrates the increasing role of technology in enhancing yield and minimizing environmental impact.
However, challenges persist. Climate change poses a significant threat to watermelon production, affecting yields and requiring adaptations to cope with shifting weather patterns. Water scarcity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, remains a major constraint, demanding the development and implementation of efficient water management strategies. Furthermore, the industry faces ongoing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, minimizing the environmental footprint of watermelon cultivation.
The Economic Impact of the Watermelon Industry: A Global Perspective
The agricultural history of the watermelon is intertwined with its significant economic contribution. Watermelon production provides livelihoods for millions of farmers globally, particularly in developing countries where it forms a crucial part of agricultural economies. The industry also supports a vast network of processors, distributors, and retailers, generating substantial employment opportunities. The economic impact of watermelons extends beyond direct production, encompassing tourism, food processing, and export markets.
The global watermelon market demonstrates its economic significance with considerable international trade, involving the export and import of fresh fruit and processed products. This highlights the global reach and economic influence of the agricultural history of the watermelon within the broader context of international trade and agriculture.
Conclusion
The agricultural history of the watermelon is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptation. From its humble beginnings in Northeast Africa to its global dominance as a widely cultivated and economically significant crop, the watermelon has played a vital role in shaping agricultural landscapes and cultures worldwide. The ongoing challenges and opportunities facing the industry highlight the need for continued research, innovation, and sustainable practices to secure the future of watermelon production. The agricultural history of the watermelon reveals not only its culinary and economic value but also underscores its enduring cultural importance across societies and civilizations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the watermelon first cultivated? Evidence suggests cultivation began as early as 4000 years ago in Northeast Africa.
2. What is the scientific name for watermelon? The scientific name for watermelon is Citrullus lanatus.
3. Where did the watermelon originate? The watermelon's origin is believed to be in the Kalahari Desert region of Northeast Africa.
4. How did the watermelon spread globally? Its spread was facilitated by global trade, exploration, and the Columbian Exchange.
5. What are some of the challenges facing modern watermelon cultivation? Challenges include climate change, water scarcity, and the need for sustainable practices.
6. What are some modern advancements in watermelon cultivation? Advancements include hybrid varieties, advanced irrigation, and precision agriculture.
7. What is the economic impact of the watermelon industry? It provides livelihoods for millions and supports a vast network of related industries.
8. What role did ancient Egyptians play in the agricultural history of the watermelon? They cultivated and valued watermelons, using them in both culinary and ritualistic contexts.
9. What are some important considerations for the future of watermelon cultivation? Sustainable practices, climate change adaptation, and efficient water management are crucial.
Related Articles:
1. "The Domestication of Citrullus lanatus": This article explores the genetic evidence supporting the origin and domestication of the watermelon in Northeast Africa.
2. "Watermelon Cultivation in Ancient Egypt": An examination of the role of watermelons in ancient Egyptian society and agriculture.
3. "The Impact of the Columbian Exchange on Watermelon Cultivation": This piece analyses the impact of the exchange on the global spread and diversification of watermelon varieties.
4. "Modern Breeding Strategies for Disease-Resistant Watermelons": A focus on current research and development in enhancing watermelon resilience to diseases.
5. "Sustainable Irrigation Techniques for Watermelon Production": An exploration of efficient water management strategies in watermelon cultivation.
6. "The Economic Significance of Watermelon Production in Sub-Saharan Africa": This article analyzes the economic contribution of watermelon farming in the region.
7. "The Global Watermelon Market: Trends and Challenges": An overview of the current state of the international watermelon market.
8. "Climate Change Impacts on Watermelon Yields and Adaptation Strategies": This research explores the effects of climate change on watermelon production and strategies for mitigation.
9. "Watermelon Processing and Value Addition: Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers": An analysis of the potential for value addition in the watermelon industry, focusing on smallholder farmers.
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Ants on the Melon Virginia Adair, 2009-11-04 Already singled out by The New York Times and the subject of a feature in The New Yorker, Virginia Adair has, after decades of shunning book publication, decided to collect eighty of her best poems in a volume that will surely be hailed as among the most accomplished works of our time. Ants on the Melon includes poems that concern the author's childhood, that explore sensuality in candid terms, that starkly treat her husband's suicide and her own blindness, and that explore both her own emotional landscape and the universal mysteries of the human condition. Technically brilliant, using strict, classical prosody, yet entirely modern in sensibility, Virginia Adair's poetry will play a central role in the ongoing American poetry renaissance. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Melon Sylvia Lovegren, 2016-04-15 Sweet, succulent, cooling, and often with a beguiling floral fragrance, a ripe melon can be one of the most delicious things you sink your teeth into. As Sylvia Lovegren shows in this book, the melon's complex flavor profile is matched by an equally complex history. Cutting into the melon's past, she takes us on a whirlwind trip around the world. Along the way, Lovegren details the impact the melon has had on humankind. Moving from ancient and medieval medical recipes to folk tales, stories, growing contests, and genetics, she explores the diverse ways we have cultivated, enjoyed, and sometimes even feared this fruit. She explores how we have improved modern melons over centuries of breeding, and how some growers and scientists today are trying to preserve and even revive ancient melon strains.--from Publisher's description. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Fruits of Empire Shana Klein, 2020-10-13 The Fruits of Empire is a history of American expansion through the lens of art and food. In the decades after the Civil War, Americans consumed an unprecedented amount of fruit as it grew more accessible with advancements in refrigeration and transportation technologies. This excitement for fruit manifested in an explosion of fruit imagery within still life paintings, prints, trade cards, and more. Images of fruit labor and consumption by immigrants and people of color also gained visibility, merging alongside the efforts of expansionists to assimilate land and, in some cases, people into the national body. Divided into five chapters on visual images of the grape, orange, watermelon, banana, and pineapple, this book demonstrates how representations of fruit struck the nerve of the nation’s most heated debates over land, race, and citizenship in the age of high imperialism. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Lost Crops of Africa National Research Council, Policy and Global Affairs, Development, Security, and Cooperation, 2008-01-25 This book is the third in a series evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes 24 little-known indigenous African cultivated and wild fruits that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists, policymakers, and the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each fruit to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each fruit is also described in a separate chapter, based on information provided and assessed by experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume II African vegetables. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: I Am Not a Tractor! Susan L. Marquis, 2017-12-15 I Am Not a Tractor! celebrates the courage, vision, and creativity of the farmworkers and community leaders who have transformed one of the worst agricultural situations in the United States into one of the best. Susan L. Marquis highlights past abuses workers suffered in Florida’s tomato fields: toxic pesticide exposure, beatings, sexual assault, rampant wage theft, and even, astonishingly, modern-day slavery. Marquis unveils how, even without new legislation, regulation, or government participation, these farmworkers have dramatically improved their work conditions. Marquis credits this success to the immigrants from Mexico, Haiti, and Guatemala who formed the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, a neuroscience major who takes great pride in the watermelon crew he runs, a leading farmer/grower who was once homeless, and a retired New York State judge who volunteered to stuff envelopes and ended up building a groundbreaking institution. Through the Fair Food Program that they have developed, fought for, and implemented, these people have changed the lives of more than thirty thousand field workers. I Am Not a Tractor! offers a range of solutions to a problem that is rooted in our nation’s slave history and that is worsened by ongoing conflict over immigration. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Vegetables I Jaime Prohens-Tomás, Fernando Nuez, 2007-12-06 This major work has but one aim: to provide breeders and researchers from the public and private sectors with all the latest information on the breeding of crops of economic relevance. Also, it serves as a major reference book for post-graduate courses and PhD courses on breeding vegetable crops, as well a one-stop-shop for horticulturists and extension agents interested in current advancements in the development of new vegetable crops varieties. Each chapter incorporates the most up-to-date information on the crops examined, and an important novelty is that, in comparison to other books already published on this subject this one contains the most cutting-edge information on molecular breeding techniques. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Fruit from the Sands Robert N. Spengler, 2020-09-22 A comprehensive and entertaining historical and botanical review, providing an enjoyable and cognitive read.”—Nature The foods we eat have a deep and often surprising past. From almonds and apples to tea and rice, many foods that we consume today have histories that can be traced out of prehistoric Central Asia along the tracks of the Silk Road to kitchens in Europe, America, China, and elsewhere in East Asia. The exchange of goods, ideas, cultural practices, and genes along these ancient routes extends back five thousand years, and organized trade along the Silk Road dates to at least Han Dynasty China in the second century BC. Balancing a broad array of archaeological, botanical, and historical evidence, Fruit from the Sands presents the fascinating story of the origins and spread of agriculture across Inner Asia and into Europe and East Asia. Through the preserved remains of plants found in archaeological sites, Robert N. Spengler III identifies the regions where our most familiar crops were domesticated and follows their routes as people carried them around the world. With vivid examples, Fruit from the Sands explores how the foods we eat have shaped the course of human history and transformed cuisines all over the globe. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Lost Crops of Africa National Research Council, Policy and Global Affairs, Development, Security, and Cooperation, 2006-10-27 This report is the second in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes the characteristics of 18 little-known indigenous African vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers and in the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each vegetable to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each species is described in a separate chapter, based on information gathered from and verified by a pool of experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume III African fruits. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Neglected Crops J. Esteban Hernández Bermejo, J. León, 1994 About neglected crops of the American continent. Published in collaboration with the Botanical Garden of Cord�ba (Spain) as part of the Etnobot�nica92 Programme (Andalusia, 1992) |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Origins of African Plant Domestication Jack R. Harlan, 2011-06-24 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Where the Watermelons Grow Cindy Baldwin, 2018-07-03 Fans of The Thing About Jellyfish and A Snicker of Magic will be swept away by Cindy Baldwin’s debut middle grade about a girl coming to terms with her mother’s mental illness. An Oregon Spirit Award Honor book. When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night and talking to people who aren't there, Della worries that it’s happening again—that the sickness that put her mama in the hospital four years ago is back. That her mama is going to be hospitalized for months like she was last time. With her daddy struggling to save the farm and her mama in denial about what’s happening, it’s up to Della to heal her mama for good. And she knows just how she’ll do it: with a jar of the Bee Lady’s magic honey, which has mended the wounds and woes of Maryville, North Carolina, for generations. But when the Bee Lady says that the solution might have less to do with fixing Mama’s brain and more to do with healing her own heart, Della must learn that love means accepting her mama just as she is. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Melon Amy Goldman, 2019-09-17 Melons are the vegetable garden’s crown jewels—and Amy Goldman’s lifelong passion and calling. Her new book, THE MELON, will entice and educate, whether you are a passionate gardener, a locavore, or simply delight in the inherent beauty and evanescence of the fruits of the vine. THE MELON was produced by Amy Goldman in collaboration with celebrated photographer Victor Schrager over the course of nine years. It’s a cut above their award-winning melon book MELONS FOR THE PASSIONATE GROWER, published in 2002. In the intervening years, Goldman has grown as a gardener and has learned a lot more. She has taken advantage of recent research findings that informed her thinking on crop history and best cultural practices. THE MELON includes additional horticultural groups of melon and gives watermelon—which is less genetically diverse—more of a fair shake. Much like the word “cantaloupe,” which is used colloquially and erroneously by Americans to describe muskmelon, the word “melon” is commonly used in the United States to refer to both melon and watermelon. These vining crops belong to two different species within the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family of plants. Melon and watermelon are now among the world’s most important vegetable crops. The 125 varieties illustrated and described in THE MELON comprise 85 melons and 40 watermelons from all over the globe. Their stories are as diverse as the melons themselves. In addition to the stunning portraits and beauty shots and detailed descriptions of melons, THE MELON includes in-depth sections on picking and choosing melons and watermelons in the market, growing them in the garden, and saving pure heirloom seeds. Mouth-watering recipes by renowned cookbook author Mindy Fox complete the journey from seed to table. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables Amit K. Jaiswal, 2020-07-29 Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables provides an overview of the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition, antioxidant potential, and health benefits of a wide range of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. The book presents a comprehensive overview on a variety of topics, including inflorescence, flowers and flower buds (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), bulb, stem and stalk (onion, celery, asparagus, celery), leaves (watercress, lettuce, spinach), fruit and seed (peppers, squash, tomato, eggplant, green beans), roots and tubers (red beet, carrots, radish), and fruits, such as citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit), berries (blackberry, strawberry, lingonberry, bayberry, blueberry), melons (pumpkin, watermelon), and more. Each chapter, contributed by an international expert in the field, also discusses the factors influencing antioxidant content, such as genotype, environmental variation and agronomic conditions. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Genetics and Genomics of Cucurbitaceae Rebecca Grumet, Nurit Katzir, Jordi Garcia-Mas, 2017-10-13 This book provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of the genetics and genomics of the agriculturally important Cucurbitaceae plant family, which includes crops such as watermelon, melon, cucumber, summer and winter squashes, pumpkins, and gourds. Recent years have resulted in tremendous increases in our knowledge of these species due to large scale genomic and transcriptomic studies and production of draft genomes for the four major species, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, and Cucurbita spp. This text examines genetic resources and structural and functional genomics for each species group and across species groups. In addition, it explores genomic-informed understanding and commonalities in cucurbit biology with respect to vegetative growth, floral development and sex expression, fruit growth and development, and important fruit quality traits. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Seed Bearing Fruit A. S. M., 1864 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Plant Systems Biology Sacha Baginsky, Alisdair R. Fernie, 2007-06-25 This volume aims to provide a timely view of the state-of-the-art in systems biology. The editors take the opportunity to define systems biology as they and the contributing authors see it, and this will lay the groundwork for future studies. The volume is well-suited to both students and researchers interested in the methods of systems biology. Although the focus is on plant systems biology, the proposed material could be suitably applied to any organism. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Botany of Desire Michael Pollan, 2002-05-28 “Pollan shines a light on our own nature as well as on our implication in the natural world.” —The New York Times “A wry, informed pastoral.” —The New Yorker The book that helped make Michael Pollan, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, Cooked and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the most trusted food experts in America Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers: The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers’ genes far and wide. In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a similarly reciprocal relationship. He masterfully links four fundamental human desires—sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control—with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. And just as we’ve benefited from these plants, we have also done well by them. So who is really domesticating whom? |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Growing Season Sarah Frey, 2021-10-05 “A gutsy success story” (The New York Times Book Review) about one tenacious woman’s journey to escape rural poverty and create a billion-dollar farming business—without ever leaving the land she loves The youngest of her parents’ combined twenty-one children, Sarah Frey grew up on a struggling farm in southern Illinois, often having to grow, catch, or hunt her own dinner alongside her brothers. She spent much of her early childhood dreaming of running away to the big city—or really anywhere with central heating. At fifteen, she moved out of her family home and started her own fresh produce delivery business with nothing more than an old pickup truck. Two years later, when the family farm faced inevitable foreclosure, Frey gave up on her dreams of escape, took over the farm, and created her own produce company. Refusing to play by traditional rules, at seventeen she began talking her way into suit-filled boardrooms, making deals with the nation’s largest retailers. Her early negotiations became so legendary that Harvard Business School published some of her deals as case studies, which have turned out to be favorites among its students. Today, her family-operated company, Frey Farms, has become one of America’s largest fresh produce growers and shippers, with farmland spread across seven states. Thanks to the millions of melons and pumpkins she sells annually, Frey has been dubbed “America’s Pumpkin Queen” by the national press. The Growing Season tells the inspiring story of how a scrappy rural childhood gave Frey the grit and resiliency to take risks that paid off in unexpected ways. Rather than leaving her community, she found adventure and opportunity in one of the most forgotten parts of our country. With fearlessness and creativity, she literally dug her destiny out of the dirt. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Sustainable Market Farming Pam Dawling, 2013-02-01 Growing for 100 - the complete year-round guide for the small-scale market grower. Across North America, an agricultural renaissance is unfolding. A growing number of market gardeners are emerging to feed our appetite for organic, regional produce. But most of the available resources on food production are aimed at the backyard or hobby gardener who wants to supplement their family's diet with a few homegrown fruits and vegetables. Targeted at serious growers in every climate zone, Sustainable Market Farming is a comprehensive manual for small-scale farmers raising organic crops sustainably on a few acres. Informed by the author's extensive experience growing a wide variety of fresh, organic vegetables and fruit to feed the approximately one hundred members of Twin Oaks Community in central Virginia, this practical guide provides: Detailed profiles of a full range of crops, addressing sowing, cultivation, rotation, succession, common pests and diseases, and harvest and storage Information about new, efficient techniques, season extension, and disease resistant varieties Farm-specific business skills to help ensure a successful, profitable enterprise Whether you are a beginning market grower or an established enterprise seeking to improve your skills, Sustainable Market Farming is an invaluable resource and a timely book for the maturing local agriculture movement. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Genetic Improvement of Vegetable Crops G. Kalloo, B.O. Bergh, 2012-12-02 Genetic improvement has played a vital role in enhancing the yield potential of vegetable crops. There are numerous vegetable crops grown worldwide and variable degrees of research on genetics, breeding and biotechnology have been conducted on these crops. This book brings together the results of such research on crops grouped as alliums, crucifers, cucurbits, leaf crops, tropical underground and miscellaneous. Written by eminent specialists, each chapter concentrates on one crop and covers cytology, genetics, breeding objectives, germplasm resources, reproductive biology, selection breeding methods, heterosis and hybrid seed production, quality and processing attributes and technology. This unique collection will be of great value to students, scientists and vegetable breeders as it provides a reference guide on genetics, breeding and biotechnology of a wide range of vegetable crops. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Unconventional Oilseeds and Oil Sources Abdalbasit Adam Mariod, Mohamed Elwathig Saeed Mirghani, Ismail Hassan Hussein, 2017-04-14 Unconventional Oilseeds and New Oil Sources: Chemistry and Analysis is presented in three parts, with each section dedicated to different types of oil sources. Part One deals with plants (vegetable, herbs, shrubs), such as Hibiscus, Mexican Poppy, Cucumber, Squashes, Sesame, etc. Part Two presents unconventional oils found in trees (like Balanites aegyptiaca, Annona squamosal and Catunaregam nilotica), and Part Three deals with new oils found in insects, as in the water melon bug and sorghum bug. This book will be of interest to researchers in oilseed production, research and development personnel, food scientists, plant breeders, product development personnel, and government agency personnel involved in the production, transportation, distribution, and processing of oilseeds. - Compiles information on unconventional oilseeds and new sources of oil found worldwide, including those from plants (vegetables, herbs, shrubs), trees, and insects - Presents the physico-chemical properties of the seed oils, in addition to their mineral compositions and chemical analyses - Thoroughly explores the chemistry of new oils, their composition, bioactive compounds, such as fatty acids, tocopherols, and sterols - Introduces the composition of new oil sources, their content of minor and bioactive components, and the most used official methods for analysis |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Journal of Agricultural Research , 1937 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops R. Büttner, 2001-04-10 With contributions by numerous experts |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Agricultural History , 1958 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Cold Pressed Oils Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan, 2020-07-23 Cold Pressed Oils: Green Technology, Bioactive Compounds, Functionality, and Applications creates a multidisciplinary forum of discussion on recent advances in chemistry and the functionality of bioactive phytochemicals in lipids found in cold pressed oils. Chapters explore different cold pressed oil, focusing on cold press extraction and processing, composition, physicochemical characteristics, organoleptic attributes, nutritional quality, oxidative stability, food applications, and functional and health-promoting traits. Edited by a team of experts, the book brings a diversity of developments in food science to scientists, chemists, nutritionists, and students in nutrition, lipids chemistry and technology, agricultural science, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and many other fields. - Thoroughly explores novel and functional applications of cold pressed oils - Shows the difference between bioactive compounds in cold pressed oils and oils extracted with other traditional methods - Elucidates the stability of cold pressed oils in comparison with oils extracted using other traditional methods |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Good Agricultural Practices for Greenhouse Vegetable Crops , 2013 This publication capitalizes on the experience of scientists from the North Africa and Near East countries, in collaboration with experts from around the world, specialized in the different aspects of greenhouse crop production. It provides a comprehensive description and assessment of the greenhouse production practices in use in Mediterranean climate areas that have helped diversify vegetable production and increase productivity. The publication is also meant to be used as a reference and tool for trainers and growers as well as other actors in the greenhouse vegetables value chain in this region. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Melons Amy Goldman, 2002-01-01 This year's heirloom tomato is a melon! Acclaimed gardener Amy Goldman, known to viewers of Martha Stewart and PBS, is a dedicated seed saver working to preserve fast-disappearing varieties of heirloom melons. Her book, Melons for the Passionate Grower, is a celebration of the speckled, bumpy, oh-so-sweet world of the melonÑfrom Minnesota Midget and Georgia Rattlesnake to Ali Baba and Sweet Siberian. Here she profiles more than one hundred varieties, each showcased in a full-color photographic still life recalling eighteenth- and nineteenth-century botanical paintings and engravings. Goldman also offers expert advice on cultivating and selecting your own melons, as well as the rudiments of seed saving. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops Gyana Ranjan Rout, K.V. Peter, 2018-01-08 Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops provides key insights into commercialized crops, their improved productivity, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional or medicinal benefits. It includes insights into key technologies, such as marker traits identification and genetic traits transfer for increased productivity, examining the latest transgenic advances in a variety of crops and providing foundational information that can be applied to new areas of study. As modern biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing novel gene(s) with high quality disease resistance and increased drought tolerance, this is an ideal resource for researchers and industry professionals. - Provides examples of current technologies and methodologies, addressing abiotic and biotic stresses, pest resistance and yield improvement - Presents protocols on plant genetic engineering in a variety of wide-use crops - Includes biosafety rule regulation of genetically modified crops in the USA and third world countries |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: The Dictionary of American Food and Drink John F. Mariani, 1983 Explores and chronicles the vast array of American food, wine, and drink and the way we speak of it, consume it, and have changed it over the centuries. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention Victor R Preedy, Ronald Ross Watson, 2011-03-31 The use of nuts and seeds to improve human nutritional status has proven successful for a variety of conditions including in the treatment of high cholesterol, reduced risk of Type-2 Diabetes, and weight control. Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention is a complete guide to the health benefits of nuts and seeds. This book is the only single-source scientific reference to explore the specific factors that contribute to these potential health benefits, as well as discussing how to maximize those potential benefits. - Organized by seed-type with detailed information on the specific health benefits of each to provide an easy-access reference for identifying treatment options - Insights into health benefits will assist in development of symptom-specific functional foods - Includes photographs for visual identification and confirmation - Indexed alphabetically by nut/seed with a second index by condition or disease |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: A History of Chinese Science and Technology Yongxiang Lu, 2014-10-14 A History of Chinese Science and Technology (Volumes 1, 2 & 3) presents 44 individual lectures, beginning with Ancient Chinese Science and Technology in the Process of Human Civilizations and an Overview of Chinese Science and Technology, and continuing with in-depth discussions of several issues in the History of Science and the Needham Puzzle, interspersed with topics on Astronomy, Arithmetic, Agriculture and Medicine, The Four Great Inventions, and various technological areas closely related to clothing, food, shelter and transportation. This book is the most authoritative work on the history of Chinese Science and Technology. It is the Winner of the China Book Award, the Shanghai Book Award (1st prize), and the Classical China International Publishing Project (GAPP, General Administration of Press and Publication of China) and offers an essential resource for academic researchers and non-experts alike. It originated with a series of 44 lectures presented to top Chinese leaders, which received very positive feedback. Written by top Chinese scholars in their respective fields from the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and many other respected Chinese organizations, the book is intended for scientists, researchers and postgraduate students working in the history of science, philosophy of science and technology, and related disciplines. Yongxiang Lu is a professor, former president and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and Vice Chairman of the National Congress of China. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Farmers' Almanac 2008 Peter Geiger, Sondra Duncan, 2007 The Farmers Almanac is an annual publication published every year since 1818. It is the only publication of its kind which generations of American families have come to trust. Its longevity speaks volumes about its content which informs, delights, and educates. Best known for its long-range weather predictions, the Farmers Almanac provides valuable information on gardening, cooking, fishing, and more. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Masala Lab Krish Ashok, 2021-04-15 Ever wondered why your grandmother threw a teabag into the pressure cooker while boiling chickpeas, or why she measured using the knuckle of her index finger? Why does a counter-intuitive pinch of salt make your kheer more intensely flavourful? What is the Maillard reaction and what does it have to do with fenugreek? What does your high-school chemistry knowledge, or what you remember of it, have to do with perfectly browning your onions? Masala Lab by Krish Ashok is a science nerd's exploration of Indian cooking with the ultimate aim of making the reader a better cook and turning the kitchen into a joyful, creative playground for culinary experimentation. Just like memorizing an equation might have helped you pass an exam but not become a chemist, following a recipe without knowing its rationale can be a sub-optimal way of learning how to cook. Exhaustively tested and researched, and with a curious and engaging approach to food, Krish Ashok puts together the one book the Indian kitchen definitely needs, proving along the way that your grandmother was right all along. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Hog and Hominy Frederick Douglass Opie, 2008-10-08 “Opie delves into the history books to find true soul in the food of the South, including its place in the politics of black America.”—NPR.org Frederick Douglass Opie deconstructs and compares the foodways of people of African descent throughout the Americas, interprets the health legacies of black culinary traditions, and explains the concept of soul itself, revealing soul food to be an amalgamation of West and Central African social and cultural influences as well as the adaptations blacks made to the conditions of slavery and freedom in the Americas. Sampling from travel accounts, periodicals, government reports on food and diet, and interviews with more than thirty people born before 1945, Opie reconstructs an interrelated history of Moorish influence on the Iberian Peninsula, the African slave trade, slavery in the Americas, the emergence of Jim Crow, the Great Migration, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. His grassroots approach reveals the global origins of soul food, the forces that shaped its development, and the distinctive cultural collaborations that occurred among Africans, Asians, Europeans, and Americans throughout history. Opie shows how food can be an indicator of social position, a site of community building and cultural identity, and a juncture at which different cultural traditions can develop and impact the collective health of a community. “Opie goes back to the sources and traces soul food’s development over the centuries. He shows how Southern slavery, segregation, and the Great Migration to the North’s urban areas all left their distinctive marks on today’s African American cuisine.”—Booklist “An insightful portrait of the social and religious relationship between people of African descent and their cuisine.”—FoodReference.com |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (3rd Ed. ) Andy Clark, 2008-07 Cover crops slow erosion, improve soil, smother weeds, enhance nutrient and moisture availability, help control many pests and bring a host of other benefits to your farm. At the same time, they can reduce costs, increase profits and even create new sources of income. You¿ll reap dividends on your cover crop investments for years, since their benefits accumulate over the long term. This book will help you find which ones are right for you. Captures farmer and other research results from the past ten years. The authors verified the info. from the 2nd ed., added new results and updated farmer profiles and research data, and added 2 chap. Includes maps and charts, detailed narratives about individual cover crop species, and chap. about aspects of cover cropping. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Identifying Diseases of Vegetables Alan A. MacNab, Aralen F. Sherf, J. K. Springer, 1983 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Inanimate Life George M. Briggs, 2021-07-16 |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: In the Shadow of Slavery Judith Carney, 2011-02-01 The transatlantic slave trade forced millions of Africans into bondage. Until the early nineteenth century, African slaves came to the Americas in greater numbers than Europeans. In the Shadow of Slavery provides a startling new assessment of the Atlantic slave trade and upends conventional wisdom by shifting attention from the crops slaves were forced to produce to the foods they planted for their own nourishment. Many familiar foods—millet, sorghum, coffee, okra, watermelon, and the Asian long bean, for example—are native to Africa, while commercial products such as Coca Cola, Worcestershire Sauce, and Palmolive Soap rely on African plants that were brought to the Americas on slave ships as provisions, medicines, cordage, and bedding. In this exciting, original, and groundbreaking book, Judith A. Carney and Richard Nicholas Rosomoff draw on archaeological records, oral histories, and the accounts of slave ship captains to show how slaves' food plots—botanical gardens of the dispossessed—became the incubators of African survival in the Americas and Africanized the foodways of plantation societies. |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Viruses and Virus Diseases of Vegetables in the Mediterranean Basin Gad Loebenstein, Hervé Lecoq, 2012-06-25 This volume of Advances in Virus Research focuses on mycoviruses. The authors and reviews represent the most current and cutting-edge research in the field. A broad range of research is presented from research experts. Contributions from leading authorities Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field |
| agricultural history of the watermelon: Watermelons , 2011 British author James Delingpole tells the shocking story of how an unholy mix of junk science, green hype, corporate greed and political opportunism led to the biggest - and most expensive - outbreak of mass hysteria in history.In Watermelons, Delingpole explains the Climategate scandal, the cast of characters involved, their motives and methods. He delves into the background of the organizations and individuals who have sought to push global warming to the top of the political agenda, showing that beneath their cloak of green lurks a heart of red.Watermelons shows how the scientific method has been sacrificed on the altar of climate alarmism. Delingpole mocks the green movement's pathetic record of apocalyptic predictions, from the population bomb to global cooling, which failed to materialize. He reveals the fundamental misanthropy of green ideology, rooted in hatred of the human species, hell bent on destroying almost everything man has achieved.Delingpole gives a refreshing voice to widespread public skepticism over global warming, emphasising that the crisis has been engineered by people seeking to control our lives by imposing new taxes and regulations. Your taxes will be raised, your liberties curtailed and your money squandered to deal with this 'crisis', he writes.At its very roots, argues Delingpole, climate change is an ideological battle, not a scientific one. Green on the outside, red on the inside, the liberty-loathing, humanity-hating watermelons of the modern environmental movement do not want to save the world. They want to rule it. |
EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF WATERMELON BY INDIANS OF THE …
At the risk of belaboring the point that watermelon is of Old World origin, it may be pointed out that seeds identified as C. vulgaris (now lanatus) were recovered in archaeo logical excavations …
Watermelons - USDA ARS
Watermelons originated in Africa somewhere around the Kalahari Desert. By the 10th century, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which is now the world's single largest …
bulletin 1033 - CT.gov
In 2008-2010, eleven cultivars of personal-sized (3-7 pound) seedless watermelons and one seeded pollinator variety were grown on a sandy terrace soil (Windsor, CT) and a loamy …
Agricultural History Of Watermelon (book) - x-plane.com
The agricultural history of watermelon begins in northeastern Africa, likely in the Kalahari Desert region, thousands of years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests its domestication predates …
WATERMELON_World History
___ Watermelon is thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian …
OP-ANNB150080 1..16 - Haseloff Lab:
Key Findings Archaeological remains of watermelons, mostly seeds, that date from 5000 years ago have been found in northeastern Africa. An image of a large, striped, oblong fruit on a tray …
An archaeobotanical contribution to the history of …
Specimen (a) resembles seeds of cultivated Citrullus lanatus (re drawn from Netolitzky 1943) lands (Kroll 1999) and France (Marinval 1999). Only very few records of watermelon are known …
Pacific Northwest Watermelon Production East of the Cascades
Watermelon in the Pacific Northwest e of the best places to grow watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). The Lower Umatilla Basin near Hermiston, Oreg n, is the center of Pacific Northwest …
Origin of the Dessert Watermelon - Springer
Using a multidisciplinary approach that encompassed botany, horticulture, cookery, philology, archae-ology, iconography, and interpretation of ancient literature, I suggested that the dessert …
Did You Know? - USDA ARS
Watermelons originated in Africa somewhere around the Kalahari Desert. By the 10th century, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which is now the world’s single largest …
Agricultural History Of The Watermelon - x-plane.com
Agricultural History Of The Watermelon: The U.S. Watermelon Industry Amy J. Allred,1990 Abstract This book reviews the production and utilization of watermelon on The United States …
Watermelon paper DRAFT - documents.saa.org
Mar 4, 2022 · We build on Blake's (1981) important synthesis of the rapid and early acceptance by Indigenous communities in North America by tracing the history of the watermelon from its …
OP-ANNB150080 133. - JSTOR
Key Findings Archaeological remains of watermelons, mostly seeds, that date from 5000 years ago have been found in northeastern Africa. An image of a large, striped, oblong fruit on a tray …
Agricultural History Of Watermelon (Download Only)
Agricultural History Of Watermelon: The U.S. Watermelon Industry Amy J. Allred,1990 Abstract This book reviews the production and utilization of watermelon on The United States since …
Agricultural History Of Watermelon .pdf - x-plane.com
Agricultural History Of Watermelon: The U.S. Watermelon Industry Amy J. Allred,1990 Abstract This book reviews the production and utilization of watermelon on The United States since …
LEARNING LAB LESSON PRESENTATION (1) - watermelon.org
Watermelon History Origin traced back to deserts of southern Africa 5,000 years ago Ancestor of the modern watermelon was used to store water for tribes crossing the Kalahari Desert …
Where Did Watermelon Originate From
An archaeobotanical contribution to the history of watermelon ... WEBEarly 1st millenium B.C. records of culti-vated watermelon are known from Arad, Israel (Schultze-Motel 1974), from …
A seedy slice of history: Watermelons actually came from …
Using DNA from greenhouse-grown plants representing all species and hundreds of varieties of watermelon, scientists discovered that watermelons most likely came from wild crop …
Agricultural History Of Watermelon - x-plane.com
Agricultural History Of Watermelon: The U.S. Watermelon Industry Amy J. Allred,1990 Abstract This book reviews the production and utilization of watermelon on The United States since …
Agricultural History Of The Watermelon - x-plane.com
The U.S. Watermelon Industry Amy J. Allred,1990 Abstract This book reviews the production and utilization of watermelon on The United States since 1960 with emphasis on changes during …
EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF WATERMELON BY INDIAN…
At the risk of belaboring the point that watermelon is of Old World origin, it may be pointed out that seeds …
Watermelons - USDA ARS
Watermelons originated in Africa somewhere around the Kalahari Desert. By the 10th century, watermelons …
bulletin 1033 - CT.gov
In 2008-2010, eleven cultivars of personal-sized (3-7 pound) seedless watermelons and one seeded …
Agricultural History Of Watermelon (book) - x-pla…
The agricultural history of watermelon begins in northeastern Africa, likely in the Kalahari Desert region, …
WATERMELON_World History
___ Watermelon is thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. The first recorded …
