2006 Pumpkin Variety Trial

Timothy E. Elkner
Horticulture Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension
1383 Arcadia Rd., Rm. 140
Lancaster, PA 17601

INTRODUCTION
Pumpkins are a very important crop to Pennsylvania growers. Nationally, Pennsylvania consistently ranks at or near the top of states in acreage for production of fresh market pumpkins. Varity trials continue to be regularly conducted in the state to evaluate new varieties, especially those tolerant or resistant to powdery mildew (PM). This paper reports on trials conducted in PA in 2005 and 2006.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five varieties of small pumpkins, 10 varieties of medium and 6 varieties of large pumpkins were grown in Lancaster County in 2006. The pumpkins were grown using raised beds with black plastic row covers and drip irrigation. Spacing of the plants was as follows: small - 2 ft in row X 8 ft between rows, medium - 4 ft X 8 ft and large - 8 ft X 8 ft. Admire was applied through the drip system post-planting at the labeled rate. Recommended fertility, weed control and disease and insect control practices were used. There were three 10 plant replicates per variety. Transplants were set June 13 and fruit were harvested and weighed October 3 and 4. PM was rated on August 31.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
HMX 5683 was the highest yielding small variety followed by Mystic Plus (Table 1). Ironman and HMX 5683 had the lowest % PM infection on the lower leaf, while Baby Pam had the highest. Average fruit size of Ironman and Prankster were similar in 2005(data not presented here) and 2006. However, in 2006 # of fruit/plant was lower and estimated yield was 50% of the 2005 values for these varieties. The 2006 growing season was cool and wet with a significant downy mildew infestation in the planting. This reduced fruit # per plant and estimated yields on all varieties planted both seasons (except Gladiator) when compared to 2005. In general, PM ratings were lowest on the small varieties, intermediate on the medium sized varieties and highest on the large varieties.

HMX 5681 had the highest yields among the medium varieties followed by Charisma. Kakai had the highest estimated yields among the non-traditional pumpkin varieties (Kakai, Red Eye, One Too Many, Cotton Candy). HMX 5681 also had the lowest % PM infection on the lower leaves (in the true pumpkins) followed by SSX 5030 and Magic Lantern.

Gladiator was the highest yielding large variety followed by Gold Medal and Rock Star. Gladiator also had the lowest % PM infection on the lower leaf surface of all varieties in this trial.

As in previous trials, the small pumpkins mostly had a round shape, smooth texture and good handles (Table 2). The medium face pumpkins generally had a more upright shape, more ribbing than the small varieties and good handles. The non-traditional pumpkins in the medium group had variable qualities. The large pumpkins were all dark orange, generally upright, had good handle quality and had the most ribbing of all sizes.

Table 1: Yield and powdery mildew infection ratings for 21 varieties of small, medium, and large pumpkins grown in Lancaster County, PA in 2006. Click on variety name to view image.

Table 2: Evaluation of color, shape, and texture and handle quality for 21 pumpkin varieties grown in Lancaster County, PA in 2006. Texture is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being very smooth and 5 being heavily ribbed. Handles are rated 1-5 with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent.