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Website: http://www.melcast.info
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What is MELCAST?
MELCAST is a system whereby melon growers can determine the best time to apply fungicides. The MELCAST system uses scientific and localized weather data to determine when fungicide applications are best made. Melcast Update (this web page) is intended to help cantaloupe and watermelon growers keep track of daily MELCAST EFI (Environmental Favorability Index) values that are calculated for several state locations. Each issue highlights current disease problems and melon management concerns. You should choose a MELCAST Station closest to your melon operation to obtain daily EFI values:

2018 MELCAST Locations and Station Codes
Location State Station Latitude Longitude Notes
Daviess County IN IN-DAV 38.6523 -87.1706 Old HWY 50 and HWY 57, Washington, IN
Decker IN IN-DEC 38.5189362 -87.5230775 Decker, IN
Gibson County IN IN-GIB 38.2719894 -87.6878036 Owensville, IN
Goshen IN IN-GOS 41.5796 -85.8066 Elkhart Co. Fairgrounds, Goshen, IN
Jackson County IN IN-JAC 38.8459276 -86.0973151 Vallonia, IN
Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center IN IN-NEP 41.1072992 -85.3995324 16 mi W of Fort Wayne, IN
Oaktown IN IN-OAK 38.8707 -87.4421 Oaktown, IN
Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center IN IN-PPP 41.4399201 -86.9252158 2 mi NW of Wanatah, IN
Richmond IN IN-RCH 39.8289369 -84.8902382 Richmond
Rockville IN IN-ROC 39.7625404 -87.2291809 Rockville
SE Purdue Ag Center IN IN-SEP 39.0331447 -85.5258254 1 mi W of Butlerville, IN
Sullivan IN IN-SUL 38.9623034 -87.4025572 Carlisle, IN
SW Purdue Ag Center IN IN-SWP 38.738748 -87.485059 6 miles N of Vincennes
Throckmorton Purdue Ag Center IN IN-THP 40.2969055 -86.9035821 9 mi S of West Lafayette, IN
Vincennes IN IN-VIN 38.6509 -87.5000 Lincoln High School, Vincennes, IN
Niles MI MI-NIL 41.83 -86.254167 Niles, MI
Charleston SC SC-CHA 32.8028 -80.0697

For More Information:
See these MELCAST publications for more information:
BP-64-W MELCAST: Melon Disease Forecaster (English, PDF - 939K)
BP-67 Foliar Disease Control Using MELCAST (English, PDF - 625K) | Spanish Version

The record sheet linked below can be printed double sided on 8.5 x 14 inch paper to keep track of MELCAST values.

Download the Excel MelCast Record Sheet

Download the Free MELCAST Recordbook:
We have created an Excel version of the MELCAST pocket record book. This Excel spreadsheet helps growers keep track of MELCAST EFI values as they accumulate during the growing season, sprays made, and indicates when you are nearing spray thresholds.

Click here to download the free Excel MELCAST Recordbook (172 KB) - Updated 5/6/2005

To use, double-click on the downloaded file and choose "Enable Macros".

Windows Users: if you get a message that the "macros in this workbook are disabled because the security level is high or have not been digitally signed or verified to be safe" then follow these directions:
1) Go to the "Tools" menu and choose "Options..."
2) Choose the "Security" tab
3) Click on the "Macro Security..." button
4) Set the security level to "Medium" from the "Security Level" tab and click "OK"
5) Click "OK" to exit "Options"
6) Try opening the Melcast Recordbook again

Follow instructions on the "Help" page to start using the MELCAST recordbook.  We'd appreciate any feedback.

Ask About Setting Up a New MELCAST Location:
No matter where you live, we can utilize latitude and longitude coordinates to gather daily weather satellite data that can input into the MELCAST system to generate daily EFI values. Ask us about getting a station started at your melon location.

Contact Us
Direct all questions or comments to Dan Egel egel@purdue.edu.

Please select a Melcast station above to view current EFI values.
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University Administration
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