Cornell Commercial Vegetable Production
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Pumpkin Variety Performance in Northern New York
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Background and Objectives
This variety evaluation was conducted at the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm, in Essex County. The objective was to evaluate performance of pumpkin varieties for yield and quality under the cooler, short season conditions of Northern NY. All varieties were transplanted into raised beds with plastic mulch and drip irrigation, to manage soil temperature and moisture and optimize chance for marketable yields.
Trial design
- Seeding date: May 23, 2000, Freeville, NY, 72-cell
trays
- Transplant date: June 12, 2000, Willsboro, NY
- Spacings: 2’ in row, 5’ between rows
- Plot size: One row 40’ in length and 5’ between row
spacing
- Harvest area: One row 40’ in length and 5’ between row
spacing
- Experimental plot: Randomized complete block with 4
replications
- Harvest: September 18, 2000
- Fertilizer: Preplant 18 lbs. N, 72 lbs. of P205 and 72 lbs. of K2O per acre, and 3 ton/acre composted poultry manure (estimated 120 # N) Sidedress 20 lb/acre N applied through drip system
Results
All cultivars produced marketable yields, using transplants and plasticulture. Total and per plant yields, powdery mildew ratings and fruit characteristics are summarized in the
tables and in the comments below. The Cornell breeding lines (not developed yet for horticultural traits) had a signficantly lower mildew ratings than all other varieties, including Merlin and Magic Lantern which have some PM tolerance.
Comments on varieties
(Click on images for larger view)
Magic Lantern: (Harris Moran) DTH 115
Mildew Tolerant. Fruit color was orange to dark orange. Handles were solid dark green at harvest. Fruit shape was tall round. This variety had high marketable yields (few culls) and produced large fruit. Nice overall. Average size was 12.5 lbs.
98-822: (Cornell University)
Fruit color was orange to light orange. Small round shape with slight to medium ribbing. The handles were solid at harvest. A few culls had odd shapes and were hollow. Best line from Cornell in this trial. Average size was 6.5 lbs.
Merlin: (Harris Moran) DTH 115
Mildew Tolerant. Fruit color was dark orange. Fruit shapes were tall and round with medium ribbing. The handles were sturdy at harvest. Attractive variety. Average size was 12.5 lbs.
Racer: (Johnny’s) DTH 78
The fruit color was orange to dark orange. Fruit shape was short, round with medium ribbing. This variety produced few culls. Also this variety had a high incidence of mildew. Size and shape were very uniform. Good handle quality. One of the nicest in the trial. Average size was 10.5 lbs.
Gold Rush: (Rupp) DTH 120
The fruit color was light orange to orange. Fruit shape was tall oblong to round with medium ribbing. The handles were sturdy but slightly small for the size of the fruit. This variety had a high incidence of mildew. Largest variety in the trial. Average size was 24.5 lbs.
99-326: (Cornell University)
The fruit color was light orange. A few fruit had poor color (mottled with green spots). The fruit shape was a tall pear. Handles were very small and thin. Average size was 10.5 lbs.
Tom Fox: (Johnny’s) DTH 110
The fruit color was orange to dark orange. Fruit were short oblong to round shapes with medium ribbing. Handles were sturdy and very thick. Best handles in this trial. Average size was 12 lbs.
Wizard: (Harris Moran) DTH 95
The fruit color was orange to dark orange. Fruit were short round with medium ribbing. This variety had high marketable yields (few culls) along with a high incidence of mildew. Average size was 9 lbs.
Cornell Commercial Vegetable Production
Comments or questions? Contact:
Anusuya Rangarajan
Statewide specialist for
Fresh Market Vegetable Production
ar47@cornell.edu
Department of Horticulture
121 Plant Science Building
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-1780; Fax: (607) 255-9998
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