|
Winter Squash Variety Performance in Northern
New York
Jump-down menu:
Background and Objectives
This variety evaluation was conducted at the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm, in Essex County. The objective was to evaluate performance of a broad range of winter squash types (butternut, acorn, buttercup, etc) 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 quality are summarized in the
tables and in the comments below. Subsamples were cured and stored for one month prior to measuring soluble solids (BRIX). The Cornell Powdery Mildew Resistant (PMR) butternut had a lower mildew rating and higher number of marketable fruit per plant than the other tested butternut variety.
Comments on varieties
(Click on images for larger view)
Harlequin: (Cornell University) DTH 70.
Large Bush. Powdery mildew resistant. Heart shaped ‘acorn’ fruit with green stripes on a white background. Interior fruit color was orange. Average Brix reading of 15. Average fruit weight was 1.5 lbs.
PMR Bush Delicata: (Cornell University) DTH 88.
Large Bush. Powdery mildew resistant. All-American winner. Long, narrow cylinder shaped fruit with green handles. The fruit color was white with green stripes. Interior fruit color was orange. Highest Brix reading of tested varieties = 16. Average fruit weight was 1.0 lb.
Cream of the Crop: (Syngenta) DTH 75.
Bush. All-American winner. Creamy beige acorn shaped fruit. Interior fruit color was creamy white. This variety had a high incidence of mildew. Average Brix reading of 7. Average fruit weight was 2.0 lbs.
Early Butternut: (Harris Seeds) DTH 85.
Compact vine. The fruit color was tan. Fruit shape was blocky and medium size. Interior fruit color was orange to dark orange. Average Brix reading of 11. Average size was 3.0 lbs.
Ambercup: (Harris Seeds) DTH 74.
Full vine. The fruit color was light orange to dark orange. Fruit shape was flat to round with brown handles. Interior color was dark orange. Average Brix reading of 11. Average size was 3.0 lbs.
Buttercup (Burgess Strain): (Johnny’s) DTH 95.
Vine. Fruit were blocky and dark green with grey button on blossom end. The interior fruit color was orange to dark orange. Handles were thick and short. Average Brix reading of 13. Average size was 3.5 lbs.
Turk’s Turban: (Hollar) DTH 100.
Vine. The fruit color was orange to dark orange with green and yellow stripes on blossom end. Fruit shape was a round to flat ‘turban’. Interior color was orange. Average Brix reading of 7.5. Average size was 4.5 lbs.
PMR Butternut: (Cornell University) DTH 88.
Vigorous vine. Powdery mildew resistant. The fruit color was tan to light cream. Fruit shape was a short cylinder with a thick neck. Interior color was orange. Average Brix reading of 10.5. Average size was 2.5 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
|
