Spring 2007 Commercial Vegetable Variety Trials
January 2007 Regional Bulletin 19 Auburn University University of Georgia Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Richard Guthrie, Director Auburn University, Alabama
Printed in cooperation with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University)

Contents
page Authors........................................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction: Tips for Interpreting Vegetable Varieties Performance Results ............................................................5 Alabama Trials Cantaloupe Varieties Compared in North Alabama ....................................................................................................7 New Tomato Varieties, New Standards.......................................................................................................................9 Seedless Watermelon Trial Continues at North Alabama ......................................................................................... 11 Summer Squash Trials Consistent in Early and Total Yields ....................................................................................13 Georgia Trials Vidalia Onion Variety Trial, 2007 .............................................................................................................................16 Pumpkin Variety Trials, Fall 2006 and Summer 2007 ..............................................................................................19 Cantaloupe Variety Trial, 2007 .................................................................................................................................21 Watermelon Variety Trial, 2007 ................................................................................................................................22

Seed Sources for Alabama Trials ..............................................................................................................................24 Guidelines for Contributions to the Vegetable Variety Regional Bulletin

Names of chemicals are mentioned only for describing the production practices used. This represents neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these products.

Information contained herein is available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

Authors
Randy Akridge Superintendent Brewton Agriculture Research Unit P.O. Box 217 Brewton, AL 36427 (251) 867-3139 Anthony Bateman Technician University Of Georgia PO Box 748 Moore Hwy Tifton, GA 31793-0748 (229) 386-3355 batema@tifton.uga.edu George Boyhan Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Georgia Cooperative Extension Sevice Statesboro, Georgia (912) 386-3442 Jason Burkett Superintendent E.V. Smith Research Center (334) 727-6159 Arnold Caylor Superintendent North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (256) 734-5820 Shane Curry University Of Georgia Montgomery Co. Agent PO Box 276 Mount Vernon, GA 30445 (912) 583-2240 (912) 583-2744 dscurry@uga.edu Mike Dollar Extension Agent, Evans County 201 Freeman Street Suite 9 Claxton, GA 30417 Randell Hill Research Station Superintendent 8163 Hwy 178 Lyons, GA 30436 Joe Kemble Associate Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist Department of Horticulture Auburn University, AL (334) 844-3050 kembljm@auburn.edu Cliff Riner Extension Agent, Tattnall County P.O. Box 58 Reidsville, GA 30453 Denny Thigpen Farm Techncian 8163 Hwy 178 Lyons, GA 30436 (912) 565-7822 (912) 565-7618 dthigpen@uga.edu Reid L. Torrence County Extension Coordinator Tattnall County Extension Office P.O. Box 58 Reidsville, GA 30453 Edgar Vinson Research Associate III Department of Horticulture Auburn University, AL (334) 844-8494 vinsoed@auburn.edu

Introduction: Tips for Interpreting Vegetable Varieties Performance Results
Edgar Vinson and Joe Kemble he spring 2007 variety trials regional bulletin includes research results from Auburn University and the University of Georgia. The information provided by this report must be studied carefully in order to make the best selections possible. Although yield is a good indicator of varietal performance, other information must be studied. The following provides a few tips to help producers adequately interpret results in this report. Open pollinated or hybrid varieties. In general, hybrids (also referred to as F1) are earlier and produce a more uniform crop. They have improved disease, pest, or virus tolerance/resistance. F1 varieties are often more expensive than open pollinated varieties (OP), and seeds cannot be collected from one crop to plant the next. Despite the advantages hybrids offer, OP are still often planted in Alabama. Selecting a hybrid variety is the first step toward earliness and quality. Yield potential. Yields reported in variety trial results are extrapolated from small plots. Depending on the vegetable crop, plot sizes range between 100 to 500 square feet. Yields per acre are estimated by multiplying plot yields by corrective factors ranging from 100 to 1,000. Small errors are thus amplified, and estimated yields per acre may not be realistic. Therefore, locations cannot be compared by just looking at the range of yields actually reported. However, the relative differences in performance among varieties are realistic, and can be used to identify best-performing varieties. Statistical interpretation. The coefficient of determination (R2), coefficient of variation (CV) and least significant difference (LSD, 5%) are reported for each test. These numbers are helpful in separating the differences due to small plots (sampling error) and true (but unknown) differences among entries. R2 values range between 0 and 1. Values close to 1 suggest that the test was conducted under good conditions and most of the variability observed was mainly due to the effect of variety and replication. Random, uncontrolled errors were of lesser importance. CV is an expression of yield

T

variability relative to yield mean. Low CVs (under 20%) are desirable but are not always achieved. There must be a minimum yield difference between two varieties before one can statistically conclude that one variety actually performs better than another. This is known as the least significant difference (LSD). When the difference in yield is less than the LSD value, one cannot conclude that there is any real difference between two varieties. For example, in the seedless watermelon trial presented in this issue conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center, Nun 6032WM yielded 52,423 pounds per acre, while ‘Revolution’ and ‘Boston’ yielded 43,880 and 33,816 pounds per acre, respectively. Since there was less than a 18,152 difference between ‘Revolution’ and ‘Boston,’ there is no statistical difference between these two varieties. However, the yield difference between Nun 6032WM and ‘Boston’ was 18,607, indicating that there is a real difference between these two varieties. From a practical point of view, producers should place the most importance on lsd values when interpreting results. Testing conditions. AU vegetable variety trials are conducted under standard, recommended commercial production practices. If the cropping system to be used is different from that used in the trials, the results of the trials may not apply. Information on soil type (Table 1), planting dates, fertilizer rates, and detailed spray schedule are provided to help producers compare their own practices to the standard one used in the trials and make relevant adjustments. Ratings of trials. At each location, variety trials were rated on a 1 to 5 scale, based on weather conditions, fertilization, irrigation, pest pressure and overall performance (Table 2). Results from trials with ratings of 2 and under are not reported. These numbers may be used to interpret differences in performance from location to location. The overall rating may be used to give more importance to the results of variety performance under good growing conditions.

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Where to get seeds. Because seeds are alive, their performance and germination rate depends on how old they are, where and how they were collected, and how they have been handled and stored. It is always preferable to get certified seeds from a reputable source, such as the ones listed in Seed Sources, page 24. Several factors other than yield have to be considered when choosing a vegetable variety from a variety trial report. The main factors are type, resistance and tolerance to diseases, earliness, and of course, availabil-

ity and cost of seeds. It is always better to try two to three varieties on a small scale before making a large planting of a single variety. Vegetable trials on the Web. For more vegetable variety information be sure to visit our Web page at http://www.aces. edu/dept/com_veg/veg_trial/vegetabl.htm. Our Web site will provide a description of variety types, a ratings system, and information about participating seed companies.

Table 1. Soil Types at the Location of the Trial Location
Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (Fairhope) Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (Brewton) Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (Headland) Lower Coastal Plain Research and Extension (Camden) EV Smith Research Center, Horticultural Unit (Shorter) Chilton Area Horticultural Substation (Clanton) Upper Coastal Plain Research and Extension Center (Winfield) North Alabama Horticultural Research Center (Cullman) Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (Crossville) Water holding Capacity (in/in) 0.09-0.19 0.12-0.14 0.14-0.15 0.13-0.15 0.15-0.17 0.13-0.15 0.13-0.20 0.16-0.20 0.16-0.18 Soil Type Malbis fine sandy loam Benndale fine sandy loam Dothan sandy loam Forkland fine sandy loam Norfolk-orangeburg loamy sand Luvernue sandy loam Savannah loam Hartsells-Albertville fine sandy loam Wynnville fine sandy loam

Table 2. Description of Ratings
Rating 5 4 3 2 1 Weather Very Good Favorable Acceptable Adverse Destructive Fertilizer Very Good Good Acceptable Low Very Low Irrigation Very Good Good Acceptable Low Insufficient Pests None Light Tolerable Adverse Destructive Overall Excellent Good Acceptable Questionable Useless

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Cantaloupe Varieties Compared in North Alabama
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, and Arnold Caylor A small melon trial was conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (NAHRC) in Cullman, Alabama (Tables 1 and 2). Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent or go online to http://www.aces.edu/counties/. Cantaloupe and honeydew melon varieties were directseeded on May 13 into 30-foot rows with 6 feet between rows and a within row spacing of 2 feet. Drip irrigation and black plastic mulch were used. Melons were harvested five times at the half slip stage of maturity from August 1 through August 16 (Table 3). There were few differences found among varieties. In the honeydew category, ‘Sundew’ and ‘Salmon Dew,’ two recently developed varieties, performed as well as ‘Roccio’ and ‘Creme de Menthe’. Individual fruit weight of all
Table 1. Ratings of the 2007 Canteloupe Variety Trial1
Location NAHRC Weather 5 Fertility 5 Irrigation 5 Pests 5 Overall 5 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

varieties was similar, which accounts for the similarity in total marketable fruit number. Among the cantaloupe varieties, the new variety ‘Jaipur’ performed as well as the standard variety ‘Athena’. For commercial production of cantaloupe, a 4- to 6pound range is desirable. Larger melons are more suited for road side markets. The market standard ‘Athena’ had an average melon weight of 5.97, which is within the

Table 2. Seed Source, Fruit Characteristics, and Relative Earliness of Selected Cantaloupe Varieties
Seed Rind Flesh Days Disease source aspect2 color3 to harvest claims4 Variety Type1 Aphrodite F1 Seedway/Novartis E O – – Athena F1 Seedway/Novartis E O 80 FW,PM, Creme de Menthe5 F1 Sieger HD G 82 FW Eclipse F1 Seminis E O 85 FW,PM Honey Star F1 Sunseeds HD G 85 FW,PM Jaipur F1 Seminis E O – – Odyssey F1 Sunseeds E O – – Roccio F1 Sunseeds HD G 85 FW,PM Salmon Dew F1 Takii HD O – – Sundew F1 Sunseeds HD G – FW Wrangler F1 Hollar E O 85 FW,PM 1 Type: F1 = Hybrid OP = Open Pollenated; 2 Rind Aspect: E = Eastern, HD = Honeydew; 3 Flesh color: O = Orange G = Green; 4 Disease claims: FW = Fusarium Wilt, PM = Powdery Mildew; 5 Not sensitive to sulfur; — = not found, from seed catalog.

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recommended range for commercial melons. ‘Aphrodite’ was the largest melon averaging 10.36 pounds per melon. Sweetness was measured at harvest using a handheld digital refractometer. Cantaloupes and honeydew melons with soluble solids reading below 100 brix do not taste sweet. ‘Wrangler’ and ‘Athena’ had the highest brix reading at 13.70 and 13.37, respectively. Sweetness of ‘Athena’ was similar to all other varieties with the

exception of ‘Aphrodite’. ‘Creme de Menthe’ had brix readings similar to all other honeydew melons. Most cantaloupe varieties were similar to ‘Athena’ in yield per acre, fruit number per acre, and sugar content. ‘Athena’ was the only variety to have an average fruit weight within the ideal range. Given these similarities, growers may not see a need to change from using ‘Athena’ to using another comparable variety.

Table 3. Yield of Selected Eastern Cantaloupe Varieties
Variety Total marketable yield lbs/a 73,280 69,427 64,824 57,058 51,680 0.62 25 19,066 65,618 61,470 58,295 49,306 48,516 39,425 0.40 19 18,392 Total marketable fruit no/a 10,588 9,983 9,559 9,136 8,047 0.40 24 3,324 8,833 9,196 7,442 13,734 8,107 5,687 0.22 19 2,768 Individual fruit weight lbs 6.90 6.95 6.77 6.26 6.52 0.83 11 1.10 7.37 6.67 7.84 3.60 5.97 7.34 0.41 5 0.53 Soluble solids (brix) 12.95 11.28 12.28 12.38 11.50 0.50 8 1.57 12.33 11.78 11.40 13.70 13.37 12.17 0.30 9 1.61

Sundew Roccio Creme de Menthe Salmon Dew Honey Star R2 CV LSD Odyssey Eclipse Aphrodite Wrangler Athena Jaipur R2 CV LSD

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New Tomato Varieties, New Standards
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Randy Akridge, and Arnold Caylor

A spring tomato variety trial was conducted at the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (BARU) in Brewton, Alabama, and the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (NAHRC) in Cullman, Alabama (Tables 1 and 2). Six-week-old tomato transplants were planted on April 30 at NAHRC and on May 10 at BARU. At both locations, transplants were set into 20-foot-long plots, at a within row spacing of 1.5 feet on white plastic mulch. Drip irrigation was used. Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. At BARU, plants received weekly injections of either potassium nitrate or calcium nitrate (at a rate of 10 to 20 pounds per acre) from May 14 through July 9. At NAHRC pesticides were applied weekly from May 17 through July 19. At NAHRC, plants received weekly injections of ammonium nitrate at a rate of 10 pounds per acre. No pesticide applications were required. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent or go online to http://www.aces.edu/counties/. Tomatoes were harvested, weighed, and graded weekly between July 18 and August 7 at BARU and between July

Table 1. Ratings of the 2007 Tomato Variety Trial1
Location BARU NAHRC Weather 5 4 Fertility 5 5 Irrigation 5 5 Pests 5 4 Overall 5 5 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

8 and August 13 at NAHRC. Grades and corresponding fruit diameters (D) of fresh market tomato were adapted from the Tomato Grader’s Guide (Circular ANR 643 from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System) and were Jumbo (D greater than 3.5 inch), extra-large (D greater than 2.9 inch), large (D greater than 2.5 inch) and medium (D greater than 2.3 inch). Marketable yield was the sum of jumbo, extra-large, large and medium grades (Table 3). At BARU, all varieties resistant to tomato spotted wilt virsus (TSWV) performed as well as the standard variety ‘Florida 47’ (Table 3). As spread of TSWV increases, planting resistant varieties is becoming more important. ‘Red Defender’, a new TSWV-resistant va-

Table 2. Seed Source, Fruit Characteristics, and Relative Earliness of Selected Tomato Varieties
Seed Plant Fruit Days Disease Years Variety Type1 source habit2 color to harvest claims3 evaluated Amelia F1/FM Harris Moran Det Red 80 **FW,TSWV,VW 03-07 Bella Rosa F1/FM Sakata Det Red 74 *FW,TSWV,VW 07 BHN 602 F1/FM BHN Det Red 77 **FW,TSWV,VW 07 BHN 640 F1/FM BHN Det Red 75 **FW,TSWV,VW 03-07 Crista F1/FM Harris Moran Det Red 74 **FW,NE,TSWV,VW 06,07 Florida 47 F1/FM Seminis Det Red 75 ASC,*FW,St,TY,VW 97-99,02-07 NC 056 F1/FM NC State Det Red — TSWV 07 NC 05137 F1/FM NC State Det Red — TSWV 07 NC 05232 F1/FM NC State Det Red — TSWV 07 Phoenix F1/FM Seminis Det Red — ASC,*FW,St,VW 06,07 Red Defender F1/FM Seedway Det Red — TSWV 07 Soraya F1/FM Rogers Det. Red — FCR,**FW, St 05-07 Talladega F1/FM Seedway Det. Red 76 *FW,St,TSWV,VW 07 OFRI F1/FM Sieger Det. Red — ASC,*FW,St,VW 07 1 Type: F1 = Hybrid, FM = Fresh market; 2 Plant habit: Det. = Determinate; 3 Disease claims: FCR = Fusarium Crown Rot; FW = Fusarium Wilt; VW = Verticillium Wilt; ASC = Alternaria Stem Canker; St = Stemphylium (grey leaf spot), TSWV = Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus; * = Races 1 and 2; ** = Races 1, 2, and 3; — = not found, from seed catalog.

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riety, produced yields significantly higher than ‘BHN 640’, one of the first varieties to exhibit resistance to the virus. The performance of ‘OFRI’ was lower than all other varieties; this variety is not suited for the southern region of Alabama.

At NAHRC, several advanced experimental varieties were included from North Carolina State University. These varieties performed as well as or better than‘Florida 47’ and ‘BHN 640’. ‘OFRI’ performed as well as ‘Florida 47’ and all other TSWV-resistant varieties and is better suited for the northern region of Alabama.

Table 3. Total Yield of Selected Tomato Varieties
Variety Total marketable weight lbs/a 30,543 27,911 27,266 26,393 25,892 25,421 24,949 24,208 20,963 19,587 11,297 0.65 17 6,049 Total marketable number no/a 60,258 50,457 48,188 47,372 48,370 49,368 47,099 45,284 41,019 37,661 21,417 0.70 16 10,121 69,918 72,052 87,607 79,062 73,181 56,136 65,546 63,506 52,872 48,228 70,796 50,778 46,437 47,760 0.34 32 28,768 Extra Extra Jumbo Jumbo large large Large number weight number weight number no/a lbs/a no/a lbs/a no/a Brewton Agricultural Research Unit 1,271 1,134 30,674 18,930 18,967 2,178 2,147 29,766 18,790 12,251 1,997 1,890 29,766 19,333 11,072 2,541 2,383 26,136 16,419 12,524 1,815 1,793 25,229 15,806 14,157 1,694 1,661 25,773 15,683 15,609 1,089 1,073 27,225 16,899 13,159 1,573 1,437 22,415 14,754 13,885 726 679 21,871 13,627 11,344 968 852 16,970 11,154 12,524 726 686 11,616 7,138 6,171 0.30 0.31 0.61 0.60 0.60 67 67 21 21 22 1,554 1,475 7,376 4,737 4,121 North Alabama Horticulture Research Center • • 16,973 2,710 32,612 • • 21,998 7,313 30,683 • • 15,663 5,582 40,519 • • 13,813 3,520 34,908 • • 13,865 2,530 33,465 • • 16,193 2,022 25,440 • • 11,241 2,634 30,212 • • 14,486 2,713 31,754 • • 12,356 1,817 23,257 • • 14,991 2,288 23,708 • • 6,398 2,040 28,857 • • 9,891 2,589 23,845 • • 7,759 1,902 21,675 • • 7,990 3,144 22,157 • • 0.55 0.33 0.33 • • 51 50 31 • • 2,261 9,426 12,618 Large Medium Medium Cull weight number weight weight lbs/a no/a lbs/a lbs/a 7,979 5,108 4,548 5,531 6,042 6,493 5,615 6,078 4,805 5,451 2,698 0.60 23 1,778 34,725 36,837 33,020 31,061 32,668 28,125 24,140 28,282 21,758 25,867 20,804 22,051 16,344 18,221 0.30 43 16,385 9,347 6,262 5,354 6,171 7,169 6,716 6,171 7,805 7,442 7,442 3,086 0.44 29 2,811 20,333 19,371 31,426 30,341 25,851 14,503 24,093 17,265 17,260 9,5302 35,541 17,042 17,003 17,614 0.42 44 13,431 2,500 4,537 1,866 6,707 1,494 6,943 2,059 6,131 2,251 3,700 1,998 4,986 1,899 6,577 2,297 7,022 2,192 7,773 2,342 6,882 946 12,067 0.40 0.64 30 27 854 2,602 50,628 37,869 34,757 38,006 36,351 34,137 35,819 30,477 34,488 7,161 30,212 23,760 29,404 18,858 0.40 31 14,592 28,335 24,407 28,554 30,463 29,594 26,731 26,445 34,030 35,316 17,462 27,246 21,402 22,107 20,125 0.40 23 12,757

Red Defender BHN 602 Bella Rosa Phoenix Amelia Florida 47 Talladega Crista BHN 640 Soraya OFRI R2 CV LSD

NC 05137 88,062 Crista 82,019 Amelia 73,360 BHN 602 72,587 OFRI 70,917 NC 05232 64,284 Red Defender 62,594 Soraya 61,471 Phoenix 57,609 NC 056 55,316 BHN 640 52,545 Talladega 48,401 Florida 47 47,650 Bella Rosa 40,223 R2 0.35 CV 33 LSD 29,383 • = information not available

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Seedless Watermelon Trial Continues in North Alabama
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Jason Burkett, and Arnold Caylor A seedless watermelon trial was conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation (NAHRC) in Cullman, Alabama (Tables 1 and 2). Four-week-old seedless watermelon transplants were set on June 2 at E.V. Smith. Seedless watermelon do not produce viable pollen so a seeded variety was planted along with the seedless varieties to serve as a pollenizer. Although any seeded watermelon can serve as a pollenizer, seed companies have bred watermelons to serve specifically as pollenizers. In this study “Companion” was used as the pollenizer variety. One ‘Companion’ was planted for every two or three seedless transplants to insure proper pollenation. Drip irrigation and black plastic mulch were used at both locations. Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent or go online to http://www.aces.edu/counties/. At NAHRC, fertilization consisted of a preplant application of 13-13-13- at a rate of 460 pounds per acre on May 26. Fertilization after planting consisted of weekly injections of calcium nitrate at a rate of 40 pounds per acre. Watermelons were harvested on August 22 and were graded according to the Watermelon Grader’s Guide (Circular ANR-681 from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System) and marketable yield was determined (Table 3).
Table 1. Ratings of the 2007 Seedless Watermelon Variety Trial1
Location NAHRC Weather 5 Fertility 5 Irrigation 5 Pests 5 Overall 5 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

Two melons from each plot were used to measure soluble solids (sweetness), hollow heart, and rind thickness. A hand-held refractometer was used to measure soluble solids. Watermelons with readings below 10 are not considered sweet. There were very few differences in marketable yield. This year, Nun 6032WM, an experimental entry, topped the list in marketable yield. However, yields produced were statistically similar to all other varieties with the exception of ‘Boston’. The only varieties that exhibited hollow heart were Nun 6032WM and ‘Liberty’ at 0.13 inches and 0.17 inches respectively. Watermelons of the varieties ‘Liberty’, ‘Cominskey’, ‘Revolution’, and Nun 6032WM exhibited rind thicknesses similar to the standard variety Tri-X-313. Rind thickness is an indication of how well melons will ship but as rind thickness increases the

Table 2. Seed Source, Fruit Characteristics, and Relative Earliness of Selected Seedless Watermelon Varieties
Seed Fruit Flesh Days Disease Years Variety source shape color to harvest claims1 evaluated Boston Nunhems Round Red — — 07 Cominskey Seminis Round Red — — 05,07 Constitution Seedway Blocky Red 87 ANT,FW 02-05,07 Independence Nunhems Round Red — — 07 Liberty Sunseeds Oval Red 85 — 04,05,07 Nun 6032WM Nunhems Round Red — — 07 Nun 6033WM Nunhems Round Red — — 07 Nun 3072WM Nunhems Round Red — — 07 Revolution Sunseeds Blocky Red 83 FW* 02-07 Tri-X-313 Syngenta Oval Red — — 96-98,03,05,07 1 Disease claims: ANT = Anthracnose; FW = Fusarium Wilt; * = Race 1 only; — = not found, from seed catalog.

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amount of edible flesh decreases. Soluble solids of all varieties were above 10. ‘Liberty’ had the highest reading at 12.53. This was statistically similar to all other with the exception of Nun 3072WM. Overall, there were few differences in marketable

yield and marketable number. Considering varietal performance in the other categories along with yield and number will provide a little more information and aid in variety selection.

Table 3. Yield and Quality of Selected Seedless Watermelon Varieties
Variety Total marketable yield lbs/a 52,423 43,880 43,552 42,648 40,839 40,551 37,726 37,576 35,514 33,816 0.20 30 18,152 Total marketable fruits no/a 2,936 2,828 2,697 3,393 2,675 5,198 2,371 2,117 2,494 2,378 0.70 23 1,010 Individual fruit weight lbs/a 17.38 15.50 16.03 12.57 15.06 7.83 16.16 17.13 14.23 13.93 0.71 14 3.00 Hollow heart in 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.00 0.00 0.30 420 0.17 Rind thickness in 0.69 0.69 0.79 0.56 0.57 0.53 0.60 0.71 0.71 0.58 0.50 15 0.14 Soluble solids brix 11.90 11.93 11.77 11.65 11.88 10.28 11.80 12.53 12.10 12.23 0.30 9.0 1.53

Nun 6032WM Revolution Tri-X-313 Constitution Independence Nun 3072WM Nun 6033WM Liberty Cominskey Boston R2 CV LSD

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Summer Squash Trials Consistent in Early and Total Yields
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Randy Akridge, and Jason Burkett A summer squash variety trial was conducted at the E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter, Alabama, and the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (BARU) in Brewton, Alabama (Tables 1 and 2). Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. At BARU, plants received weekly injections of calcium nitrate (at a rate of 10 pounds per acre) from June 19 through July 9. At EVSRC, plants received weekly injections, alternating between potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate (at a rate of 7 pounds per acre). For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent or go online to http://www.aces.edu/counties/. At both locations beds were formed and plastic mulch with drip irrigation was used. Squash varieties were direct seeded on black plastic mulch on May 31 at BARU and May 4 at EVSRC. Beds were 20 feet long on 6-foot centers at EVSRC and 20 feet long on 5-foot centers at BARU. Spacing within a row was 1.5 feet at both locations. Squash were harvested seven times between July 2 and July 16 at BARU and nine times between June 6 through June 17 at EVSRC. Squash were graded as marketable and non marketable according to the United Stated Standards for Grades of Summer Squash (U.S. Dept. Agr. G.P.O 1987-180-916:40730 AMS) (Table 3).

Table 1. Ratings of the 2007 Summer Squash Variety Trial1
Location Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall
1

BARU 5 5 5 5 5

EVSRC 4 5 5 5 5

See introduction for description of ratings scales

At BARU,‘Conqueror III’ has topped the list in early yields for three consecutive years. This year, ‘Conqueror III’ produced yields similar to XPT 1832 III, ‘Enterprise’, and ‘Gentry’ (Table 3). Although ‘Conqueror III’ produced among the highest yields, it also produced the lowest number of fruit per acre. This is explained by the fact that weight of individual fruit (calculated by dividing early marketable yield by early marketable number) of ‘Conqueror III’ was the lowest among the top yielding varieties. Total marketable yields revealed fewer differences among varieties.‘Fortune’ and ‘Liberator III’ were added to the list of top producers. At EVSRC, ‘Conqueror III’ and XPT 1832 III were again among the top-producing varieties in early yield. These were similar to ‘Lioness’, which produced lower early yields at BARU. In the total yield category, ‘Conqueror III’ produced significantly higher yields than all

Table 2. Seed Source, Fruit Type, and Relative Earliness of Selected Squash Varieties
Seed Days Disease Years Variety Type1 source to harvest claims2 evaluated Conqueror III F1 Seminis 41 CMV,PRSV, WMV,ZYMV 05-07 Early Prolific OP Seedway 42 -07 Enterprise F1 Seedway 44 -07 Fortune* F1 Novartis 39 -99,04-07 Gentry F1 Novartis 43 – 95-99,02-07 Gold Star F1 Seedway 44 CMV,PM 07 Liberator III F1 Seminis 41 CMV,WMV,ZYMV 06,07 Lioness F1 Harris Moran -MV,WMV,ZYMV 04-07 Sun Ray F1 Seedway 45 CMV,PM,WMV 03,04,07 XPT 1832 III F1 Sieger 44 CMV,WMV,ZYMV 06,07 2 1 Type: F1 = Hybrid, OP = Open pollinated; Disease claims: CMV = Cucumber Mosaic Virus; PM = Powdery Mildew; PRSV = Papaya Ring Spot Virus; ZYMV = Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus ; WMV = Watermelon Mosaic Virus; * Precocious Variety; — = none, from seed catalogs.

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other varieties. Total marketable yields of XPT 1832 III duced significantly higher yields than the remaining varietand ‘Enterprise’ were similar; these two varieties pro- ies.
Table 3. Early Yield of Selected Yellow Summer Squash Varieties1
Early US US US US marketable No. 1 No. 1 No. 2 No. 2 Cull number number weight number weight weight no/a no/a lbs/a no/a lbs/a lbs/a Brewton Agiculture Research Unit Conqueror III 4,536 12,251 10,073 3,212 2,178 1,324 364 XPT 1832 III 3,784 13,613 12,070 2,992 2,057 1,056 256 Gentry 3,661 15,518 13,159 2,580 2,360 1,081 208 Enterprise 3,533 10,618 8,258 2,109 2,360 1,424 471 Fortune 3,126 9,892 8,168 2,055 1,724 1,071 649 Liberator III 3,012 8,712 7,351 2,216 1,815 1,061 931 Gold Star 2,787 11,162 9,075 1,813 2,087 974 426 Sunray 2,585 11,162 10,709 2,318 908 535 298 Lioness 2,122 5,627 4,447 1,300 1,573 1,096 1,094 Early Prolific 1,916 6,806 5,990 1,442 1,089 632 430 R2 0.54 0.70 0.61 0.50 0.25 0.24 0.40 CV 26 22 26 32 49 47 85 LSD 1,175 3,309 3,397 998 1,336 729 657 E.V. Smith Research Center XPT 1832 III 3,221 13,703 • • • • 2,300 Conqueror III 3,199 11,072 • • • • 3,321 Lioness 2,911 9,892 • • • • 2,722 Liberator III 2,475 8,984 • • • • 4,083 Enterprise 2,369 7,442 • • • • 3,269 Fortune 2,193 8,894 • • • • 3,217 Sunray 2,166 8,712 • • • • 2,753 Gentry 2,099 9,075 • • • • 1,217 Early Prolific 1,386 4,991 • • • • 3,336 Gold Star 1,376 5,354 • • • • 3,884 0.60 0.70 • • • • 0.44 R2 CV 26 22 • • • • 34 LSD 394 2,863 • • • • 665 1 Early marketable number and early marketable yield are a combination of the US No.1 and No.2 grades. At EVSRC, US No1 and No 2 grades were combined at harvest so data are not presented here. • = data not available Variety Early marketable weight lbs/a

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Table 4. Total Yield of Selected Yellow Summer Squash Varieties1
Total US US US US marketable No. 1 No. 1 No. 2 No. 2 Cull number number weight number weight weight no/a no/a lbs/a no/a lbs/a lbs/a Brewton Agiculture Research Unit XPT 1832 III 9,820 35,846 30,764 7,270 5,082 2,550 471 Conqueror III 8,692 26,862 21,508 5,744 5,354 2,948 672 Fortune 8,394 32,035 24,775 5,548 7,260 2,847 996 Gentry 8,208 34,939 29,403 5,783 5,536 2,425 798 Enterprise 8,141 27,770 20,963 4,653 6,806 3,488 603 Liberator III 7,887 25,229 19,602 4,973 5,627 2,914 1,646 Lioness 6,333 17,969 13,250 3,603 4,719 2,731 1,294 Sunray 6,290 24,684 21,236 4,723 3,449 1,567 594 Gold Star 6,000 24,230 19,330 3,719 4,901 2,281 576 Early Prolific 5,371 18,513 13,613 3,245 4,901 2,125 2,464 R2 0.60 0.72 0.70 0.60 0.30 0.30 0.61 CV 18 16 21 24 37 35 55 LSD 1,999 6,017 6,372 1,703 2,830 1,323 799 E.V. Smith Research Center Conqueror III 9,428 24,956 • • • • 5,341 XPT 1832 III 8,318 28,133 • • • • 4,265 Enterprise 7,514 18,695 • • • • 6,877 Fortune 7,176 23,051 • • • • 5,895 Liberator III 7,057 20,600 • • • • 6,409 Lioness 6,872 18,513 • • • • 5,004 Gentry 5,751 22,415 • • • • 3,429 Sunray 4,927 18,241 • • • • 4,758 Early Prolific 4,696 14,883 • • • • 7,720 Gold Star 4,221 14,611 • • • • 5,475 60 0.53 • • • • 0.50 R2 CV 23 22 • • • • 26 LSD 992 6,396 • • • • 939 1 Total marketable number and total marketable yield are a combination of the US No.1 and No.2 grades. At EVSRC, US No1 and No 2 grades were combined at harvest so data are not presented here. • = data not available Variety Total marketable weight lbs/a

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Vidalia Onion Variety Trial, 2007
George Boyhan, Reid Torrance, Mike Dollar, Shane Curry, Cliff Riner, Randy Hill, and Tony Bateman Onion variety trials continue to be an important part of the work at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. These trials have been underway since the site was taken over in 1999. The information generated is used by growers, seed companies, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to assess the suitability and performance of short-day onion varieties in southeast Georgia. There were 49 varieties in the trial in the 2006-07 season. Plantbeds were sown on September 18, 2006 in high density plantings of 60 seed per linear foot. Plantbeds were grown according to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendations for plantbed onions (Boyhan et al., 2001). Onions were transplanted on November 20, 2006 to their final spacing of four rows on a prepared bed with 6 feet between beds. Row spacing was 12 inches with a 5.5 inch in-row spacing. Plants were grown according to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendations for weed, disease, and insect control, as well as overall fertility (Boyhan et al., 2001). The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Each plot was 35 feet long with a 5 foot in-row alley. Twenty-five feet of each plot were harvested when deemed mature for that variety. Onions were pulled and laid on the ground for two days before the tops and roots were clipped from the bulbs. The bulbs were immediately weighed to determine total yield. Weighed and bagged onions were heat cured for 24 hours at 95 degrees F then graded into jumbo and medium sizes. Jumbos were onion greater than or equal to 3 inches and mediums were less than 3 inches and greater than or equal to 2 inches in diameter. Cull onions included damaged or diseased onion or onions below 2 inches in size. Both jumbo and medium sized onion weights were recorded. A 25-bulb sample was sent to National Labs in Collin, Georgia, for additional testing for pungency, thiosulfinates, and lacrimatory factors. Additionally, approximately 50 pounds of onions were transported to the

Ratings of the 2007 Vidalia Onion Trial1
Location Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 5 5 5 5 5 Tifton loamy sand 0.06-0.15

Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall Soil type Water holding capacity (in/in) 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

Vidalia Onion Research Laboratory in Tifton, Georgia, for further testing. A 10-bulb sample was used to determine pungency using a pyruvate test as developed by Schwimmer and Weston (1961) and modified by Randle and Bussard (1993). The remainder of the onions were placed in controlled atmosphere storage with 5% CO2, 3% O2, and 70% relative humidity. The most notable difference between this year and previous years was the amount of time taken to harvest the onions. In previous years varieties were harvested over a 24to 35-day range. This year all the varieties were harvested over a 9-day period. This accelerated harvest schedule eliminated late season bacterial diseases that have plagued the trial in previous years. It should be noted, based on other experiments, that the 2007 harvest season did not have a very high pressure of bacterial diseases. Because this accelerated harvest may not truly reflect the performance of these varieties or the conditions in the industry, the harvest window for these varieties will be expanded next year. Eight varieties had total yield in excess of 1,000 50pound bags per acre. These included NUN1002, ‘Honeybee’, SS2005, WI-129, NUN1003, WI-131, SS2011, and ‘Sweet Harvest’. All of these were harvested on the first harvest date. All had better than 80% marketable onions except WI-129 and ‘Sweet Harvest’. These varieties were the top performers for jumbo yields as well, except for ‘Sweet Harvest’, which was replaced by ‘Savannah Sweet’. Only nine varieties had medium yields that exceeded 10% of the total marketable yield. The majority of varieties had me-

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Table 1. Vidalia Onion Variety Trial Yields, 2007
Variety 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 J3001 J3002 J3003 Sapelo Sweet Mr. Buck Georgia Boy Miss Megan Pinot Rouge Ohoopee Sweet YGH 105101 YGH 15085 YGH 15082 YGH 114101 YGH 108101 YGH 15094 HSX-61304F1 NUN3004 NUN3005 NUN3006 NUN1002 NUN1003 NUN1004 NUN1005 NUN1006 Sweet Vidalia Sweet Caroline Caramelo Nirvana Mata Hari Sweet Jasper Sweet Harvest XON-204Y Ponderosa XON-403Y XON-408Y Granex Yel PRR Granex 33 Savannah Sweet Century Pegasus Golden Eye Honeycomb Sugar Belle SSC 1535 F! Honeybee SS2005 SS2011 WI-131 WI-129 Company Color Harvest date Total yield Jumbos Mediums ————50-lb bag/a———— 850 593 30 729 573 31 890 688 20 845 631 77 760 557 41 841 611 45 691 491 37 637 464 98 748 559 55 643 576 59 548 426 35 666 501 38 626 462 33 741 593 29 698 509 40 584 320 57 746 573 48 739 599 54 676 529 62 1167 1002 15 1050 875 37 802 676 35 744 585 42 810 647 28 754 515 47 740 551 30 774 568 24 847 634 29 618 483 61 694 501 41 1001 652 55 858 667 53 749 596 39 898 719 41 815 713 40 675 408 93 681 490 27 880 728 23 754 591 42 728 511 41 768 621 33 691 474 83 615 433 61 843 596 52 1138 936 30 1125 950 106 1012 820 30 1041 815 32 1071 772 29 9% 10% 50% 138 117 41

Bejo Seed Company Yellow 4/23/07 Bejo Seed Company Yellow 4/24/07 Bejo Seed Company Yellow 4/24/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Yellow 4/19/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Yellow 4/24/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Yellow 4/24/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Yellow 4/24/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Red 4/19/07 D. Palmer Seed Co. Yellow 4/19/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/19/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Dessert Seed Co., Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Hortag Seed Co. Yellow 4/28/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Red 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Red 4/25/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Red 4/27/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Yellow 4/16/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Yellow 4/19/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Yellow 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Yellow 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., CA Yellow 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., ID Yellow 4/19/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., ID Yellow 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., ID Yellow 4/24/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., ID Yellow 4/19/07 Nunhems USA, Inc., ID Red 4/24/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/24/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/16/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/16/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/19/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/19/07 Sakata Seed America, Inc. Yellow 4/19/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/24/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/24/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/24/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/24/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/26/07 Seminis Vegetable Seeds Yellow 4/24/07 Shamrock Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Shamrock Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Shamrock Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Shamrock Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Solar Seed Company Yellow 4/16/07 Solar Seed Company Yellow 4/16/07 Wannamaker Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Wannamaker Seed Yellow 4/16/07 Coefficient of variation Fisher’s Protected LSD w/Bonferroni adjustment (p=0.05)

dium yields that were well below 10% of total marketable yield. Seedstem numbers ranged from 0 to 54 for a 35-foot plot. The highest number of seedstems was with ‘Sweet

Vidalia’, which in recent years has had a very high number of seedstems. This year, as compared to previous years, a significant number of seedstems occurred, but there were not as many seedstems as in 2004. Six vari-

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

eties had no seedstems this year; they included NUN 3005, J3002, ‘Ponderosa’, WI-129, XON-408Y, and NUN 1005. Numbers of double bulbs were comparable to 2006, but were much lower than 2005. There were eight varieties with more than 20 doubled bulbs, but there were also 12 varieties that had no doubled bulbs this year. The pyruvate analysis ranged from 3.4 to 6.7 um/gfw for the varieties in the trial. Overall this was slightly higher than for 2006 (2.8 to 6.3 um/gfw). The soluble solids (percent sugar) ranged from 8.5 to 12.2. These sugar values are slightly higher than for 2006, which had a range of 7.8 to 11.6%. In conclusion, the trial went very well with reasonably good yields for most varieties. Percent marketable yield was also very good across all the varieties. This may be due to the shorter harvest window this year. Literature Cited Boyhan, G.E. et al. 2001. Onion production guide. Univ. of Ga. Bul. No. 1198. Randle, W.M. and M.L. Bussard. 1993. Streamlining onion pungency analyses. HortScience. 28: 60. Schwimmer, S. and W. Weston. 1961. Enzymatic development of pyruvic acid in onion as a measure of pungency. J. Sci. Food Chem. 9: 301-304.

Table 2. Seedstems, Doubles, Pungency, and Soluble Solids of Vidalia Onion Varieties, 2007
Seedstems1 Doubles 1 ————no/35-ft plot———— 1 J3001 4 2 2 J3002 0 0 3 J3003 30 0 8 Pinot Rouge (red) 5 1 9 Ohoopee Sweet 8 13 4 Sapelo Sweet 34 38 7 Miss Megan 5 3 5 Mr. Buck 16 3 6 Georgia Boy 25 6 10 YGH 105101 19 1 11 YGH 15085 1 0 12 YGH 15082 1 1 14 YGH 108101 13 0 15 YGH 15094 6 1 13 YGH 114101 29 3 16 HSX-61304F1 14 5 20 NUN1002 6 0 21 NUN1003 19 24 23 NUN1005 0 0 17 NUN3004 (red) 9 7 22 NUN1004 2 0 24 NUN1006 2 0 18 NUN3005 (red) 0 4 19 NUN3006 (red) 12 3 25 Sweet Vidalia 54 8 28 Nirvana 32 2 29 Mata Hari (red) 1 10 26 Sweet Caroline 8 1 27 Caramelo 16 0 32 XON-204Y 11 11 31 Sweet Harvest 19 10 33 Ponderosa 0 3 35 XON-408Y 0 6 34 XON-403Y 2 6 30 Sweet Jaspe 14 0 36 Granex Yel PRR 17 38 37 Granex 33 3 7 39 Century 2 0 41 Golden Eye 5 2 38 Savannah Sweet 8 1 40 Pegasus 1 0 43 Sugar Belle 2 16 42 Honeycomb 21 13 44 SSC 1535 F1 9 34 45 Honeybee 16 21 47 SS2011 5 28 46 SS2005 8 24 48 WI-131 11 24 49 WI-129 0 16 Coefficient of variation 39% 30% Fisher’s Protected LSD 4 1 w/Bonferroni adjustment (p=0.05) 1 Measured on April 9, 2007. Variety Pungency umoles/gfw 4.8 4.6 4.7 4.1 5.2 5.4 4.5 4.8 5.1 5.4 4.6 5.0 5.4 4.5 5.0 5.5 5.2 4.5 4.4 5.0 4.1 3.4 5.2 5.4 5.1 5.7 5.7 4.7 4.6 4.8 5.4 5.9 5.2 5.3 4.5 4.8 5.3 3.9 4.6 4.2 4.3 6.7 4.8 4.9 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.6 4.6 13% 1.1 Soluble solids % 9.1 9.5 9.5 12.2 10.3 10.3 9.3 9.5 9.7 9.9 9.5 9.3 9.2 9.3 9.2 9.7 9.2 9.4 9.0 10.6 9.4 10.1 9.4 9.6 10.0 10.4 10.0 10.1 9.8 9.6 9.1 8.9 9.6 9.8 9.7 9.6 9.5 10.0 9.4 8.9 9.3 10.1 11.1 9.7 8.7 8.5 8.5 8.8 9.0 5% 0.8

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Pumpkin Variety Trials, Fall 2006 and Summer 2007
George Boyhan, Cliff Riner, Randy Hill, Denny Thigpin, and Tony Bateman

The University of Georgia has developed a new pumpkin variety called ‘Orange Bulldog’, which has greater virus disease resistance compared to conventional pumpkins. Over the past several years we have been testing this variety against commercial pumpkins in both spring/summer and fall trials. Land for the 2006 trial at the Vidalia Onion and Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, was prepared according to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendations. Fertilizer was applied according to University of Georgia Soil Test Laboratory recommendations. Weed control followed standard recommendations for Georgia. No fungicides or insecticides were used with either trial. In 2006 transplants were set on formed 6-foot on-center beds with an in-row spacing of 6 feet on June 26, 2006. Plant stand was recorded on July 20, 2006. Pumpkins were harvested on September 19, and total weight and fruit count were recorded. Data were subjected to analysis of covariance with plant stand as a covariate. In 2007 seed were sown on May 21, 2007; the planting arrangement was similar to that used in 2006. Pumpkins were harvested on August 7, and total weight and counts were recorded. These experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Each experimental unit or plot was 10 hills.
Table 1. Pumpkin Variety Trial, Fall 2006
Variety Orange Bulldog Aladdin Magic Pro Gold 200 Gladiator Wizard Spartan Autumn King Gold Rush Coefficient of Variation: Fisher’s Protected LSD (p≤0.05): Yield lbs/a 22,763 360 366 944 1,420 0 414 0 0 92% 3,521 Count no/a 2,662 61 30 151 121 0 30 0 0 87% 387

Ratings of the 2007 Pumpkin Trial1
Location Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 5 5 5 1-2 (fall) 2-3 (summer) 4 Tifton loamy sand 0.06-0.15

Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall Soil type Water holding capacity (in/in) 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

Results from these trials mirrored previous trials in which ‘Orange Bulldog’ outperformed conventional pumpkins during fall trials. In 2006, three of the conventional pumpkin varieties had no yield, while none of these commercial lines had yields near the yield of ‘Orange Bulldog’. This reflects high virus infection rates in the conventional lines. During fall production these viruses can infect young plants, resulting in plant death before any appreciable yield can be realized. In the summer 2007 trial, ‘Orange Bulldog’ had significantly higher yield than all the entries except for PMK-06-04 and ‘Alladin’. In previous trials, the performance of ‘Orange Bulldog’ was comparable to commercial varieties during spring and summer when virus pressure is much lower.
Table 2. Pumpkin Variety Trial, Summer 2007
Variety Source PMK-06-04 D. Palmer PMK-02-03 D. Palmer PMK-06-02 D. Palmer PMK-06-01 D. Palmer PMK-06-05 D. Palmer Gold Medal F1 Rupp Red Eye Rupp Gold Challenger F1 Rupp Alladin Seedway Orange Bulldog UGA Coefficient of Variation: Fisher’s Protected LSD (p≤0.05): Yield lbs/a 34,633 12,297 14,759 12,508 23,159 5,409 26,091 23,513 30,743 43,140 52% 14,242 Count no/a 3,418 4,296 4,417 4,175 2,178 484 2,450 1,845 2,481 3,570 30% 1,065

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Tissue analyses for viruses on ‘Orange Bulldog’ and conventional pumpkins indicated that ‘Orange Bulldog’ was infected with zucchini yellow mosaic virus, but that symptom development was slight. In conventional pumpkins, papaya ringspot virus predominated with se-

vere symptom development particularly during fall production when insect vectors (aphids) are at the highest. ‘Orange Bulldog’ seed will be available this coming season (2008). If you wish to purchase seed, please contact the senior author for information.

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Cantaloupe Variety Trial, 2007
George Boyhan, Randy Hill, and Denny Thigpen

Cantaloupe variety trials have become a routine part of research efforts at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. This year’s trial had 11 entries, which represent several different types of melons. The trial in 2007 was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Each plot consisted of 10 transplants planted on plastic covered raised beds. The inrow spacing was 3 feet and the between-row spacing was 6 feet. Cultural practices followed University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendations for cantaloupes. Preplant fertilizer along with fertigation was used for production. The plants were transplanted on May 31, 2007 and harvested on July 25, 27, and 30. Total yield and count from each plot was measured. In addition, two fruit from each plot were measured for length, width, flesh depth (outside rind to internal cavity), soluble solids (percent sugar), and firmness. Yield differences ranged from 4,289 to 31,043 pounds per acre. Very few fruit of ‘Oui’ were harvested. Both ‘Tasty Sherbert’ and ‘Master Choice’ had very good yields. They were a pound or so lighter per fruit compared to ‘Athena’ or Aphrodite’. ‘Orange Sherbert’, which is listed as a specialty melon by the seed company, had a distinctive suture line and fairly good yields. Other varieties that performed well included ‘Victoria’ and ‘#2100’.

2007 Canteloupe Variety Trial Conditions1
Location Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 5 5 5 5 4 Tifton loamy sand 0.06-0.15

Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall Soil type Water holding capacity (in/in) 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

There were differences in fruit length and width and this was reflective of the size differences (weights) between the varieties. There were no statistical differences in flesh depth, soluble solids, or firmness. The lack of differences in soluble solids reflects a great deal of variability in the measured fruit even though there were apparent differences in the reported means. This is the first year we are reporting firmness so it is unclear how useful this measurement will be until more years of data are collected. In conclusion, the trial went well this year, although the variability in soluble solids indicates some problems with harvest maturity.

Georgia Canteloupe Variety Yields and Fruit Characteristics
Variety Athena Aphrodite Victoria Oui Orange Sherbert ACR-1075 ACR-1085 #351 #2100 Tasty Sherbert Master Choice Source Type Yield lb/ac 13,516 19,070 25,156 4,289 24,896 13,655 16,299 17,926 25,265 27,993 31,043 29% 7,018 Count no/ac 2,299 2,541 5,143 1,634 3,933 3,086 4,054 3,388 3,872 5,808 5,506 27% 1,210 Length in 8.2 8.6 6.2 6.0 7.1 7.3 6.8 8.1 8.4 7.5 7.8 9% 0.8 Width in 6.6 7.8 6.3 5.8 6.4 6.0 5.8 6.5 7.2 6.6 7.0 7% 0.6 Flesh depth in 1.9 2.9 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0 30% NS Soluble solids % 10.8 8.5 6.7 7.9 5.6 10.3 8.8 10.5 9.3 9.4 10.8 35% NS Firmness1 flb 6.6 6.8 7.2 6.1 7.5 5.3 7.2 8.1 6.9 4.5 5.7 27% NS

Rogers Eastern Rogers Eastern D. Palmer Seed D. Palmer Seed D. Palmer Seed Specialty Abbott & Cobb Abbott & Cobb Abbott & Cobb Abbott & Cobb D. Palmer Seed F1 Tuscan type D. Palmer Seed F1 Tuscan type Coefficient of Variation: Fisher’s Protected LSD (p≤0.05): 1 Pounds force with an 8 mm probe.

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Watermelon Variety Trial, 2007
George Boyhan, Randy Hill, and Denny Thigpen Watermelon variety trials have been conducted by the University of Georgia for the past several years at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lynons, Goergia. In 2007, 21 varieties were entered in the trial and 20 of the entries were triploid varieties. This is the first year that all of the submitted varieties were triploids. The one variety that was not a triploid variety was ‘Jamboree’, which was specifically requested so we would have a pollen source for this trial. Seedlings were transplanted onto plastic-covered prepared beds formed on 6-foot centers. Beds were prepared and fertilized according to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendations. Drip tape was laid under the plastic and was used for both irrigation and fertigation. The experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with four replications. Along with ‘Jamboree’, pollenizer plants were interplanted within the experiment to insure adequate pollination. Transplants were planted on May 30, 2007. Harvest began on July 31. There were three harvests all together with additional melons harvested on August 2 and 6, 2007. Two fruit from each plot were selected and measured for length, width, rind thickness, soluble solids (sugar content), and firmness. Also any irregularities were noted such as hollow heart or under ripeness. Yield differences were quite dramatic, which probably reflects a lack of adequate pollenizer plants (Table 1). This is reinforced by the high coefficient of variation (CV) listed for both yield and fruit count. These values therefore are probably not reflective of the potential performance of these varieties. Enough fruit was measured to adequately evaluate fruit characteristics among the varieties in this trial. This is reflected in the overall low CV values. All of the fruit tested were small crimson sweet type melons with the exception of ‘Jamboree’, which was an Allsweet type. Rind thickness across all of the varieties was approximately 1 inch. Many triploids in this class have thicker rinds compared to seeded melons of the same type and much thicker rinds than are found in mini melons.

2007 Watermelon Variety Trial Conditions1
Location Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 5 5 5 5 2-3 Tifton loamy sand 0.06-0.15

Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall Soil type Water holding capacity (in/in) 1 See introduction for description of ratings scales

Soluble solids or percent sugar was relatively good across the tested varieties; however, there were several entries that had below 10% averages and in one case—Tri-X 313—significantly below 10%. This is the first year we have tested fruit firmness with an FDK 160 fruit tester with an 8 mm probe. Two entries,
Table 1. Watermelon Variety Trial Yield and Number, Georgia, 2006
Variety Source Type Wrigley Seminis Triploid Palomar Rogers Triploid Triple Threat Rogers Triploid Tri-X 313 Rogers Triploid RWT 8173 Rogers Triploid RWT 8203 Rogers Triploid RWT 8174 Rogers Triploid Jamboree Rogers Diploid Summertime D. Palmer Triploid WT-05-99 D. Palmer Triploid WT-05-98 D. Palmer Triploid WT-05-112 D. Palmer Triploid WT-05-102 D. Palmer Triploid WTI-05-109 D. Palmer Triploid Yellow Bird D. Palmer Triploid Promise D. Palmer Triploid #9570 HQ Abbott & Cobb Triploid #7167 Abbott & Cobb Triploid ACX 7125T Abbott & Cobb Triploid SSW9800 Solar Seed Triploid Coefficient of Variation: Fisher’s Protected LSD (p≤0.05): Yield lbs/a 14,084 8,676 5,881 4,574 9,527 17,944 24,426 42,314 6,131 22,827 1,992 45,109 11,132 14,169 3,255 3,013 29,649 3,400 24,765 22,474 79% 15,633 Number no/a 968 545 605 303 686 1,029 1,613 1,936 484 1,482 121 3,025 605 968 363 242 2,097 182 1,815 1,694 82% 1,065

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RWT 8174 and ‘#9570 HQ’, had significantly higher firmness than the other entries. It is unclear if this is a true difference or an artifact of testing. Care has to be taken when using the fruit tester since differences can arise by how the tester is employed. As this tester is used more frequently, its value can be better determined. More than half of the entries in the trial had one or more fruit with hollow heart. This high incidence of hollow

heart suggests that some environmental factor contributed to this problem rather than a genetic predisposition. In conclusion, this year’s trial results were not the best. There apparently were not sufficient pollenizer plants to reflect the true yield potential of the varieties, but the fruit characteristic measurements appeared adequate.

Table 2. Fruit Characteristics, Watermelon Variety Trial, Georgia, 2007
Variety Length in Wrigley 11.6 Palomar 10.0 Triple Threat 8.7 Tri-X 313 11.0 RWT 8173 11.1 RWT 8203 11.2 RWT 8174 12.1 Jamboree 17.4 Summertime 10.7 WT-05-99 11.2 WT-05-98 11.4 WT-05-112 11.9 WT-05-102 12.6 WTI-05-109 11.3 Yellow Bird 8.9 Promise 9.8 #9570 HQ 10.8 #7167 12.1 ACX 7125T 11.2 SSW9800 10.5 Coefficient of Variation: 7% Fisher’s Protected LSD (p≤0.05): 0.9 1 Pounds force with an 8 mm probe. Width in 8.6 9.4 8.0 8.7 8.7 8.9 9.0 8.6 8.8 9.3 9.2 9.6 9.7 10.1 8.6 8.3 9.4 9.5 8.8 9.4 5% 0.6 Rind thickness in 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.8 1.3 0.9 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.0 0.9 12% 0.1 Soluble solids % 9.7 10.4 9.1 8.8 10.1 9.8 11.6 10.4 10.7 10.3 11.5 10.6 11.7 12.2 9.5 10.6 10.9 10.0 11.1 11.5 10% 1.2 Firmness1 lbf 2.2 2.0 2.3 1.9 2.2 4.2 2.1 1.9 2.0 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.9 2.2 2.2 1.7 3.4 2.0 2.4 2.2 25% 0.7

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Seed Sources for Alabama Trials
Seeds were donated by the following companies: Nunhems/Sunseeds Richard Wojciak 12214 Lacewood Lane Wellington, Florida 33414-4983 Phone : (561) 791 9061 Fax: (561) 798 4915 Mobile: (561) 371 2023 richard.wojciak@sunseeds.com

Palmer Seed Co.
P.O. Box 1866 Palmer City, FL 34991 (772) 221-0653

Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Tech Rep: Jay Jones P.O. Box 880 Morgan Hill, CA 95038-0880 Phone: (239) 289-2130

Other sources included the following companies: Abbot and Cobb, Inc. Tech Rep: Russ Beckham 146 Old US Highway 84 West Boston, GA 31626 Phone: (229) 498-2366 E-mail: rbeckham@rose.net BHN 1310 McGee Avenue Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone: (510) 526-4704 E-mail: mail@berkeleyhort.com Harris Moran P.O. Box 4938 Modesto, CA 95352 Phone: (209) 579-7333 (209) 527-8684 Harris Seeds To order: (800) 544-7938 P.O. Box 22960 60 Saginow Dr. Rochester, NY 14692-2960 Hollar To order: (719) 254-7411 P.O. Box 106 Rocky Ford, CO 81067-0106 Phone: (719) 254-7411 Fax: (719) 254-3539 Website: www.hollarseeds.com Johnny’s Select Seeds To order: (207) 437-4395 Tech. Rep: Steve Woodward 955 Benton Ave Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: (207) 861-3900 E-mail: info@johnnyseeds.com Rupp Seeds To order: (800) 700-1199 17919 County Raoad B Waseon, OH 43567 Sandoz Rogers/Novartis To order: (912) 560-1863 Seedway To order: (800) 952-7333 Tech Rep: James J. Pullins 1225 Zeager Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Ph: (717) 367-1075 Fax: (717) 367-0387 E-mail: info@seedway.com Siegers Seed Company 13031 Reflections Drive Holland, MI 49424 Phone: (800) 962-4999 Fax: (616) 994-0333 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc Tech Rep: Rusty Autry 2221 North Park Ave. Tifton GA 31796 Phone: (229) 386-0750 Tifton Seed Distribution Center Tech Rep: Van Lindsey Phone: (912) 382-1815 Willhite To order: (800) 828-1840 Tech Rep: Don Dobbs P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 Fax: (817) 599-5843

Guidelines for Contributions to the Vegetable Variety Regional Bulletin Vegetable variety evaluation and selection is an essential part of production horticulture. The vegetable variety regional bulletin is intended to report results of variety trials conducted by research institutions in the Southeast in a timely manner. Its intended audience includes growers, research/extension personnel, and members of the seed industry. Timeliness and rapid turnaround are essential to better serve our audience. Hence, two bulletins are printed each year: one in November with results from spring crops, and another one in April or May with results from summer and fall crops. It is essential that trial results are available before variety decisions for the next growing season are made. Here are a few useful guidelines to speed up the publications process for the next regional bulletin (fall 2007). When: April 25, 2008 Deadline for fall 2008 variety trial report submissions. What: Results pertaining to variety evaluation in a broad sense. This includes field performance, quality evaluation, and disease resistance. Here are a few tips: • Follow the format used in the other regional bulletins. • Include each author’s complete mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. • Follow your own unit’s internal review process. Contributions will be edited, but not formally reviewed. How: Send a disk and hard copy to Edgar Vinson or Joe Kemble Department of Horticulture 101 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849-5408 Or send e-mail to vinsoed@auburn.edu kembljm@auburn.edu

Location of Trials
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AUBURN UNIVERSITY 1. North Alabama Horticulture Research Center, Cullman, AL 2. Brewton Agricultural Research Unit, Brewton, AL 3. E.V. Smith Research Center, Shorter, AL THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA 4. Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Lyons, GA