Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2008

Compiled by Elizabeth T. Maynard

Table of Contents

Sources of Vegetable Seeds...... 5 Chard Swiss Chard: A New Look At An Old Crop (West Virginia) Lewis W. Jett ...... 11 Eggplant 2008 Eggplant Variety Trial in Central Missouri (Missouri) Sanjun Gu and Theresa Blank...... 14 Muskmelon and Specialty Melon Muskmelon and Specialty Melon Variety Evaluations (Kentucky) John Strang, Amy Poston, Chris Smigell, Darrell Slone, and John Snyder ...... 17 Lettuce Romaine Lettuce Cultivar Trial (Kentucky) Dave Spalding and Timothy Coolong...... 28 Onion Spring Onion Cultivar Evaluation in Central Kentucky (Kentucky) Timothy Coolong...... 30 Evaluation of Eighteen Sweet Onion Cultivars in Southwest Michigan (Michigan) Ron Goldy, Darryl Warncke, Virginia Wendzel, and Stephanie Archer...... 33 Influence of Tillage and Herbicides in Onion Field Data — Year 2 (North Dakota) Sarah Gegner, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Walt Albus, and Collin Auwarter...... 38 2008 Sweet Spanish Onion Variety Trial (Pennsylvania) M.D. Orzolek ...... 43 Pepper Evaluation of Bell Peppers for Resistance to Phytophthora Blight (Phytophthora capsici) (Illinois) M. Babadoost and A. Jurgens ...... 48 Pumpkin Effects of Rye Cover Crop on Strip-Till Pumpkin Production in Northern Illinois (Illinois) Maurice Ogutu ...... 50 Pumpkin Variety Performance With and Without Treatment for Powdery Mildew in Northern Indiana, 2008 (Indiana) Elizabeth Maynard...... 55 Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Tolerance in Pumpkin in Central Kentucky (Kentucky) Timothy Coolong and Kenneth Seebold...... 63 Pumpkin Cultivar Evaluation in Ohio, 2008 (Ohio) Bob Precheur, Jim Jasinski, Mac Riedel, Landon Rhodes, and Gretchen Sutton...... 69

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3 Table of Contents (continued)

Sweet Corn Sweet Corn Hybrid Disease Nursery – 2008 (Illinois) Jerald Pataky, Marty Williams, Mike Meyer, Bryan Warsaw, and Jim Moody...... 73 Sugar-enhanced Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation for Northern Indiana, 2008 (Indiana) Elizabeth Maynard...... 98 Supersweet Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation for Northern Indiana, 2008 (Indiana) Elizabeth Maynard...... 103 Use of Biological Seed Treatments for Improved Seedling Establishment and Disease Control in Sweet Corn (Ohio) Mark Bennett, Elaine Grassbaugh, Brian McSpadden-Gardener, and Matt Hofelich.....109 Sweet Potato Evaluation of Ten Sweet Potato Cultivars in Southwest Michigan (Michigan) Ron Goldy and Virginia Wendzel...... 111 Tomato On-Farm Evaluation of Tomato Cultivars for Disease Resistance, 2008 (Indiana) Elizabeth Maynard, Butch Zandstra, and Dan Egel...... 114 Yield and Income of Spring Staked Tomato Cultivars in Eastern Kentucky (Kentucky) R. Terry Jones, Crystal Sparks, Ryan Hays, and John C. Snyder...... 117 Evaluation of Fourteen Tomato Cultivars in Southwest Michigan (Michigan) Ron Goldy and Virginia Wendzel...... 122 ABA for Transplant Height Control in Processing Tomatoes – 2008 (Ohio) Mark Bennett ...... 125 Plant Population and Cultivar Selections for Optimum Yield in Processing Tomatoes – 2008 (Ohio) Mark Bennett, Elaine Grassbaugh, and Matt Hofelich...... 128 Performance of Conventionally and Organically grown Grafted ‘Celebrity’ Tomato in Ohio in 2008 (Ohio) Matthew D. Kleinhenz, David M. Francis, Michelle Young, Troy Aldrich,and Sonia Walker...... 131 Watermelon Grafted Watermelon Performance in Kentucky (Kentucky) Nathan Howell, Amy L Poston, Nathan Howard, and Timothy Coolong ...... 140 Mixed Crops 2008 Fresh Market Vegetable Varieties Trial Report (Ohio) Brad R. Bergefurd, Dr. Shawn Wright, Thom Harker, Wayne Lewis, Al Welch, and Lynn Miller...... 143 New Vegetable Cultivar Releases for 2008 (Ohio) Elaine Grassbaugh, Mark Bennett, and Matt Hofelich...... 146 Authors’ Addresses...... 152

4 Sources of Vegetable Seeds*

Seed Seed Company Name and Address Code

AC Abbott and Cobb, Inc., PO Box 307, Trevose, PA 19053-0307; (800) 345-SEED; www.abbottcobb.com ACR Alf Christianson Seed Company, PO Box 98, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; (360) 336-9727; www.chriseed.com AT American Takii, Inc., 301 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906; (831) 443-4901; www.takii.com BC Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, 2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, MO 65704; (417) 924-8917; rareseeds.com Bas Basso Seeds, Monteverde 3390, 1852 Burzaco, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (54) 11 4299 0880; Fax: (54) 11 4238 3527; www.basso-seed.com BE Bejo Seeds, Inc., 1972 Silver Spur Place, Oceano, CA 93445; (805) 473-2199; www.bejoseeds.com BHN BHN Seed, PO Box 3267, Immokalee, FL 34142; (239) 352-1100; Fax: (239) 352-1981; www.bhnseed.com BS Bodger Seed Ltd., 1800 North Tyler Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733; www.bodger.com BU Burpee, 300 Park Ave., Warminster, PA 18991; www.burpee.com CS Chesmore Seed Co., PO Box 8363, St. Joseph, MO 64508 CE/CEN Centest Seeds, 23017 Rte. 173, Harvard, IL 60033 CF Cliftons Seed Co., 2586 NC 43 West, Faison, NC 28341; www.cliftonseed.com CO Cook’s Garden Seed, PO Box 5010, Hodges, SC 29653; www.cooksgarden.com CN Corona Seeds, Inc., 590-F Constitution Ave., Camarillo, CA 93012; (805) 388-2555; Fax: (805) 445-8344; www.coronaseeds.com CR Crookham Co., PO Box 520, Caldwell, ID 83606; www.crookham.com DM Del Monte USA, Agric. Research, PO Box 89, Rochelle, IL 61068 DP D. Palmer Seed Co., 8269 South Highway 95 (at Mile Post 35), Yuma, AZ 85365; Fax: (928) 341-8496; www.dpalmerseed.com DR DeRuiter Seeds, Inc., 13949 W. Colfax Ave, Building #1, Suite 220, Lakewood, CO 80401; (303) 274-5511; Fax: (303)-274-5514; www.deruiterusa.com DVG Dutch Valley Growers, Inc., PO Box 304, South Holland, IL 60473; Fax: (708) 333-1029; www.dutchvalleygrowers.com

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5 Sources of Vegetable Seeds* (continued) Seed Seed Company Name and Address Code

EV Evergreen Seeds, Evergreen YH Enterprises, PO Box 17538, Anaheim, CA 92817; (714) 637-5769; www.evergreenseeds.com EW East/West Seed International Ltd., No. 50/1 Moo 2, Sainoi-Bang Bua Thong Road, Amphur Sainoi, Nonthaburi 11150, Thailand; www.eastwestseed.com EX Express Seed, 51051 U.S. Highway 20, Oberlin, OH 44074; (800) 774-2259; Fax: (440) 774-2728; www.expressseed.com EZ Enza Zaden, PO Box 7, 1600 AA, Enkhuisen, Netherlands 02280-15844; www.enzazaden.com GG General Mills/Green Giant, Agric. Res., 1201 N. 4th St., LeSueur, MN 56058 GU Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co., PO Box 4178, Greendale, IN 47025-4178; (513) 354-1491; www.Gurneys.com HM Harris Moran Seed Company, PO Box 4938, Modesto, CA 95352; (209) 579-7333; Fax: (209) 527-5312; www.harrismoran.com HR/H Harris Seeds, 60 Saginaw Drive, Box 22960, Rochester, NY 14692; (800) 514-4441; Fax: (716) 442-9386; www.harrisseeds.com HL Hollar & Co., Inc., PO Box 106, Rocky Ford, CO 81067; www.hollarseeds.com HO Holmes Seed Co., 2125 46th St., N.W., Canton, OH 44709; (330) 492-0123; www.holmesseed.com HZ Hazera Seed, Ltd., PO Box 1565, Haifa, Israel; www.hazerainc.com IFS Illinois Foundation Seeds, PO Box 722, Champaign, IL 61824-0722; (217) 485-6260; Fax: (217) 485-3687; www.seedgenetics.com J Jordan Seeds, Inc., 6400 Upper Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125; (651) 738-3422; www.jordanseeds.com JS Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Foss Hill Road, Albion, ME 04910-9731; (877) 564-6697; www.johnnyseeds.com JU Jung Seed and Nursery, Randolph, WI 53957; (800) 297-3123; www.jungseed.com KU Known-You Seed Co., LTD., 26 Chung Cheng 2nd Road, Kauhsiung, Taiwan 80271; www.knownyou.com LS Long & Sweet LLC, PO Box 502, 516 N. 5th Street, Lafayette, IN 47902; (765) 420-9606

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6 Sources of Vegetable Seeds* (continued) Seed Seed Company Name and Address Code

MM Mesa Maize, Inc., PO Box 250, 202 Industrial Ave., Olathe, CO 81425; www.mesamaize.com MCS Morgan County Seeds, 18761 Kelsay Road, Barnett, MO 65011; (573) 378-2655; www.morgancountyseeds.com NH/NU Nunhems Seed, 1200 Anderson Corner Road, Parma, ID 83660; (800) 733-9505; www.nunhemsusa.com NC North Carolina State University, 2016 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732 NMSU New Mexico State University Seed Certification, PO Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM 88003; (575) 646-4125; seedcertification.nmsu.edu NS New England Seed Co., 3580 Main St., Hartford, CT 06120; (800) 825-5477; www.neseed.com NZ Hybrid Seed Company New Zealand Ltd., PO Box 8068, The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand; www.hybridseed.co.nz OR Orsetti Seed Co. Inc., 2301 Technology Parkway, PO Box 2350, Hollister, CA 95024-2350; (831) 636-4822; orsettiseeds.com OS L.L. Olds Seed Co., PO Box 7790, Madison, WI 53707-7790 OUT Outstanding Seeds, 354 Center Grange Road, Monaca, PA 15061; (800) 385-9254 P Pacific Seed Production Co., 94904 Highway 99 E, PO Box 85, Junction City, OR 97448; (800) 547-8004; www.forbesseed.com/PacificSeedProduction.htm PA/PK Park Seed Co., 1 Parkton Ave., Greenwood, SC 29647-0002; www.parkseed.com PG The Pepper Gal, PO Box 23006, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307-3006; www.peppergal.com PT Pinetree Garden Seeds, PO Box 300, New Gloucester, ME 04260; www.superseeds.com PL Pure Line Seeds, Inc., Box 8866, Moscow, ID; www.purelineseed.com PV Pop Vriend Seeds BV, PO Box 5, 1619ZG Andijk, The Netherlands; (+3122)859-1462; www.popvriendseeds.com R Reed’s Seeds, 3334 N.Y.S. Rt. 215, Cortland, NY 13045-9440 RI/RSP Rispens Seeds, Inc., 1357 Dutch American Way, Beecher, IL 60401; (888) 874-0241; www.rispensseeds.com

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7 Sources of Vegetable Seeds* (continued) Seed Seed Company Name and Address Code

RU Rupp Seeds, Inc., 17919 Co. Rd. B, Wauseon, OH 43567; (800) 700-1199; www.ruppseeds.com SK/SAK Sakata Seeds America, Inc., PO Box 880, Morgan Hill, CA 95038-0880; (408) 778-7758; www.sakata.com SC Scott Seeds, 4876 N. Road H., Vale, OR 97918; (541) 473-3246 S Seeds Trust, PO Box 596, Cornville, AZ 86325; (928) 649-3315; www.seedstrust.com SW/SDW Seedway, Inc., 99 Industrial Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022; (800) 952-7333; Fax: (800) 645-2574; www.seedway.com SM, Sem Seminis Inc., 2700 Camino del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030; us.seminis.com SnRv/SN Snowy River Seed Coop, Ltd., Princes Hwy, Orbost, VIC, Australia 3888; R (03) 5154 1878 SO Solar Seed Inc., 302 South C St., Eustis, FL; (352) 357-5065 SVR/SE Seneca Vegetable Research, 5267 Flat St., Hall, NY 14463; (585) 526-7044; Fax: (585) 526-7045 SR Shamrock Seed Co., 3 Harris Place, Salinas, CA 93901; (408) 771-1500; Fax: (408) 771-1517 SI/SG Siegers Seed Co., 13031 Reflections Drive, Holland, MI 49424; (800) 962-4999; www.siegers.com SWS Southwestern Seeds, PO Box 11449, Casa Grande, AZ 85230; (520) 836-7595; Fax: (520) 836-0117; www.southwesternseed.com ST Stokes Seeds, Inc., PO Box 548, 737 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14240; www.stokeseeds.com SY/RG/R Syngenta Seeds, Inc., Rogers Brands, 600 North Armstrong Place (83704), OG PO Box 4188, Boise, ID 83711-4188; (208) 322-7272; Fax: (208) 378-6625; www.rogersadvantage.com TR Territorial Seed Company, PO Box 157, Cottage Grove, OR 97424; www.territorialseed.com TGS Tomato Growers Supply, PO Box 2237, Fort Myers, FL 33902; www.tomatogrowers.com TW Twilley Seeds Co., Inc., PO Box 65, Trevose, PA 19047; www.twilleyseed.com

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8 Sources of Vegetable Seeds* (continued) Seed Seed Company Name and Address Code

UG United Genetics, 8000 Fairview Road, Hollister, CA 95023; (831) 636-4882; Fax: (831) 636-4883 www.unitedgenetics.com UA US Agriseeds, 3424 Roberto Court, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401; (805) 547-9391; Fax: (805) 547-9395; www.usagriseeds.com US US Seedless, 325 E. Walnut St., Perkasie, PA 18944; (877) 332-7733; www.usseedless.com VL Vilmorin Inc., 2551 North Dragoon, 131 Tucson, AZ 85745; (520) 884 0011; Fax: (520) 884 5102; www.vilmorin.com WI Willhite Seed Co., PO Box 23, Poolville, TX 76076; (800) 828-1840; Fax: (817) 599-5843; www.willhiteseed.com WN Western Seed Americas Inc., 303 South Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563; (813) 759-6404; www.westernseed-usa.com WP Wood Prairie Farm, 49 Kinney Road, Bridgewater, ME 04735; (800) 829-9765; www.woodprairie.com ZG Zeraim NAFTA Inc., 3101 SW 34th Ave., #905, PMB 195, Ocala, FL 34474; (979) 200-1876; Fax: (979) 27-9504; www.zeraimgedera.com *We would like to express our appreciation to the seed companies that provided seeds and support for these Midwest Vegetable Trials.

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10 Swiss Chard: A New Look At An Old Crop

Lewis W. Jett State Vegetable & Small Fruit Crops Specialist West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506.

Introduction Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla ) is closely related to garden beets. However, unlike beets, only the leaves of chard are harvested instead of the roots (Figure 1). Chard is actually an ancient horticulture crop grown in the gardens of Rome and Greece. Swiss chard, unlike spinach and broccoli, will not get bitter or bolt during hot weather. Thus, chard is an excellent summer green. Chard can be harvested several ways. The young, thinned seedlings make an excellent sprout for salads. Chard can also be harvested as baby chard three weeks after seeding. Bunching chard is harvested by cutting either the entire rosette of leaves or removing the older leaves and allowing the smaller, inner leaves to re-grow. Cutting all the leaves at the soil line approximately 50 days after seeding will allow the plant to re-grow into a new crop of leaves. Chard can also be overwintered by mulching the plants or placing a row cover over them through the winter. Chard is very high in vitamins A, B, and C, as well as calcium, iron, and potassium. Swiss chard is reemerging as a very popular summer green for growers who sell at farmers’ markets or to restaurants. Thus, it seems appropriate to examine and compare performance of cultivars.

Figure 1. Swiss chard stems can be multicolored with dark, green leaves. Materials and Methods Twelve Swiss chard cultivars were direct seeded on July 30, 2008 in raised beds (36 inches wide x 60 inches long) as a twin row within a high tunnel near Morgantown, West Virginia. The high tunnel was 30 feet wide x 96 feet long. Each row was 18 inches apart on the bed. Seeds were sown approximately 6/linear foot. The cultivars were planted within the high tunnel in a randomized complete block design with two replications per cultivar. Two weeks later, the seedlings were hand-thinned to one plant every 4 inches. The chard was regularly irrigated by drip irrigation (two drip lines/bed) and fertigated once every two weeks with calcium nitrate (15.5N-0P-0K-19Ca) fertilizer. No insecticides were applied to the chard. On September 22, the chard was once-over harvested. Fresh weight of the chard as well as quality and taste attributes was noted.

11 Results and Discussion ‘Argentata’ also known as Bionda a´ costa is an Italian heirloom. ‘Argentata’ has distinct, dark green leaves with whitish/silver midribs. The yield of this cultivar was excellent and the taste was mild and sweet. ‘Bright Lights’ is a 1998 All American Selection winner. This cultivar has a diverse mix of gold, pink, orange, purple, red, and white stem color with a distinctly mild taste. ‘Bright Lights’ would be an excellent choice for a mixed color chard. ‘Ruby Red,’ or rhubarb chard, is very attractive with a dark red stem and veins. Yellow-stemmed chard had significantly more insect damage perhaps due to the color attracting leaf feeding insects. The highest yielding yellow-stemmed chard was ‘Golden Sunrise.’ ‘Golden Sunrise’ has dark yellow to orange stems and a mild flavor. For a flavorful combination, try mixing ‘Argentata’ (white stem), ‘Ruby Red’ (red stem), and ‘Golden Sunrise’ (yellow stem). Table 1. Marketable yield of Swiss chard, 2008. Cultivar Ounces/ft Comments

Argentata 7.5 White stem; lightly savoy leaf Five Color Australian 6.9 Not as bright as other color mixes. Excellent multicolor; Better color than Bright Lights 6.6 ‘Rainbow’ and ‘5 Color Australian’ Oriole 6.5 Savoy leaf Northern Lights 6.4 Good color mix Fordhook Giant 6.4 Dark green with white midrib, savoy leaf Silverado 5.8 White midrib; savoy leaf Barese 5.5 Thick midrib; flat leaf; green leaf Ruby Red (Rhubarb Chard) 5.4 Dark red midrib Rainbow 4.8 Mixed color Magenta 4.8 Light red/pink midrib Golden Sunrise 4.7 Very bright yellow/orange veins Flamingo 4.6 Light pink midrib Virgo 3.7 Green leaf; white midrib Bright Yellow 3.6 Not the brightest yellow Lucullus 2.6 Poor stand; white midrib LSD (0.05) 0.4

12 Table 2. Taste evaluations of Swiss chard, 2008. Cultivar Taste Ranking of Raw Leavesz

Argentata 3 Five Color Australian 2 Bright Lights 3 Oriole 2 Northern Lights 2 Fordhook 2 Silverado 2 Barese 1 Ruby Red 2 Rainbow 2 Magenta 2 Golden Sunrise 2 Flamingo 1 Virgo 1 Bright Yellow 1 Lucullus 2 z1=bitter (oxalic aftertaste); 2= slightly mild; 3=very mild (no oxalic aftertaste).

13 2008 Eggplant Variety Trial in Central Missouri

Sanjun Gu and Theresa Blank, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

This paper reports the preliminary evaluation of eggplant varieties in 2008 in Central Missouri. Materials and Methods Seedlings of twenty eggplant varieties from different seed sources were planted on the Lincoln University Carver Farm located at Jefferson City, Missouri. The soil type is Elk silt loam with 1.1% organic matter and a pH of 6.1. Seeds were sown in a greenhouse from April 8 to 10 (with some exceptions shown in Table 1). All transplants were placed outside the greenhouse after May 25, as the excess spring rainfall delayed field planting. Transplants were planted in the week of June 16 and spaced out 5 feet x 2 feet in the field and trickle-irrigated under black plastic mulch as needed. Fertigation was done three times with 20N-20P-20K fertilizer at the rate of 200 ppm N in early June, August, and September. Transplants were treated with Marathon II before planting but no pesticides were applied in the field because of the low pest incidence. This variety trial was a Rapid Action Cultivar Evaluation (RACE), with 12 individual plants/cultivar planted in a single plot (row). Data from eight plants in the middle of the row of each cultivar were collected until October 15, 2008. Harvesting was done every Monday and Thursday. Three fruit per variety were randomly chosen in late September for observation or measurements of fruit color, weight, length, and diameter. Results and Discussion All varieties performed well in the field although it has been an abnormally wet year in Central Missouri. Consequently, there was not much need for supplemental irrigation. Disease incidence was minor. Insect damage was limited although flea beetles became a problem in late fall. Among the 20 varieties, Mangan, Italian Galine, Calliope, Clara, Orient Charm, and White Tango produced early; while Black Beauty, Green Raveena, Nadia, and Chinese Long (Table 1) reached marketable size late. The maturity of Lavender Touch and Twinkle could not be determined because of late seeding. Yield was high with Classic, Twinkle, Lavender Touch, Clara, Black Beauty, and White Tango (Table 2). Most of these varieties have a length:diameter ratio less than 2.5. The Asian type eggplant winners were Machiaw and Orient Charm. Both have long and light purple fruit. Most varieties have single fruit except Green Raveena, Orient Charm, Machiaw, and Fairy Tale. Conclusion Based on field observation and the information from Tables 1 and 2, the following 12 cultivars will be formally tested in 2009: Classic, Twinkle, Lavender Touch, Clara, Black Beauty, White Tango, Beatrice, Machiaw, Orient Charm, Mangan, Snowy, and Italian Galine. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Morgan County Seeds for donating eggplant seeds, and Tanisha Lawrence, Keniesha Jones, and Rachel Hoff for the assistance they provided.

14 Table 1. Seed source and Chronological data of 2008 eggplant variety trial in central Missouri. Cultivar Seed Sourcez Seeding Flowering Fruit Set First Harvest

Mangan JS 4/8 6/30 7/7 7/10 Italian Galine JS 4/10 6/30 7/7 7/14 Calliope JS 4/8 6/30 7/7 7/17 Clara JS 4/8 6/30 7/10 7/17 Orient Charm JS 4/8 6/30 7/10 7/17 White Tango JS 4/8 7/7 7/10 7/17 Machiaw JS 4/8 7/7 7/14 7/21 Classic MCS 4/10 7/7 7/14 7/24 Dancer JS 4/8 7/10 7/17 7/24 Fairy Tale PK 5/23 7/7 7/10 7/24 Beatrice JS 4/8 7/7 7/10 7/28 Florida Market MCS 4/10 7/17 7/21 7/28 Rosa Blanca JS 4/8 7/10 7/14 7/28 Snowy JS 4/9 7/7 7/10 7/28 Black Beauty MCS 4/10 7/14 7/17 7/31 Green Raveena JS 4/8 7/10 7/21 7/31 Nadia JS 4/9 7/14 7/21 7/31 Chinese Long MCS 5/2 7/17 7/21 8/4 Lavender Touch PK 5/23 7/21 7/28 8/7 Twinkle PK 5/23 7/14 7/21 8/11 z JS:Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Foss Hill Road, Albion, ME 04901. Phone: 877-564-6697. MCS: Morgan County Seeds, 18761 Kelsay Rd. Barnett, MO 65011. Phone: 573-378-2655. PK: Park Seed Company. 1 Parkton Ave., Greenwood, SC 29647.

15 Table 2. Yield and fruit characteristics of 20 eggplant Varieties tested in Central Missouri. No. of Yield Fruit characteristic Fruit Cultivar per Weight Length Diameter Length g/plant Color plant (g) (cm) (cm) /Diameter

Rosa Blanca 1362.0 49 Purple/white 397.3 10.8 9.4 1.2 Chinese long 2341.0 11 Purple 221.3 25.8 5.1 5.1 Green Raveena 2644.3 229 Light green 107.3 27.2 3.0 9.0 Nadia 2674.0 82 Dark purple 486.0 20.2 8.4 2.4 Florida Market 2814.3 70 Purple 366.0 14.8 9.0 1.6 Purple/white Calliope 2845.9 119 266.0 12.7 7.6 1.7 stripe Italian Galine 2985.6 92 Purple 468.0 16.7 9.4 1.8 Mangan 3000.7 128 Dark purple 206.7 17.2 6.4 2.7 Snowy 3110.7 169 White 199.3 18.3 5.3 3.5 Orient Charm 3165.5 212 Light purple 200.0 29.0 4.1 7.1 Purple/white Fairy Tale 3291.0 539 96.5 15.3 9.7 1.6 stripe Dancer 3308.5 151 Purple 324.0 20.2 6.7 3.0 Machiaw 3611.6 299 Light purple 194.7 35.3 3.8 9.2 Beatrice 3878.9 92 Light purple 367.3 13.0 9.2 1.4 White Tango 4093.7 195 White 191.3 19.3 5.1 3.8 Black Beauty 4152.6 74 Dark purple 359.3 15.8 9.3 1.7 Clara 4298.7 105 White 346.0 15.3 8.0 1.9 Lavender Touch 4332.1 288 Light purple 260.0 18.3 6.4 2.9 Purple/white Twinkle 5654.8 146 292.7 11.5 8.7 1.3 stripe Classic 5830.6 131 Dark purple 428.0 20.7 7.7 2.7

16 Muskmelon and Specialty Melon Variety Evaluations

John Strang, Amy Poston, Chris Smigell, Darrell Slone, and John Snyder University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546

Forty-two melon varieties were evaluated in a replicated trial for their performance under Kentucky conditions. These included ananas, Asian, canary, Eastern muskmelons, galia, gourmet, honeydew, and muskmelon galia crosses. Materials and Methods Varieties were seeded on 23 and 29 April into Styrofoam plug trays (72 cells per tray) at the Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington. Plug trays were set on a greenhouse bench to germinate and seedlings were subsequently thinned to one per cell. Plants were set into black plastic-mulched, raised beds using a waterwheel setter on 29 May. Each plot was 21 feet long, with seven plants set 3 feet apart within the row and 6 feet between rows. Each treatment was replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Thirty pounds per acre of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as 19-19-19 were applied beneath the plastic mulch as the beds were formed. This is equivalent to a field broadcast rate of 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Drip irrigation was used to provide water and fertilizer as needed. The plot was fertigated with a total of 68 lbs N/A as ammonium nitrate divided into six applications over the season. The systemic insecticide Admire 2F was applied with a hand sprayer as a drench to the base of each plant after transplanting, using the maximum rate of 24 fl oz/A. Foliar insecticide applications included Pounce, Capture, and Malathion. Weekly foliar fungicide applications included Maneb, fixed copper, Bravo, Quadris, T-methyl, and Nova. Strategy preemergent herbicide was applied as a banded spray between the rows, just as the vines began to grow off the plastic mulch. One fruit from each replication was measured and evaluated for flavor, soluble solids, interior color, rind color, and net type. Results and Discussion The growing season temperatures were normal and the season was very dry. Fruit were harvested twice a week. Harvest and variety evaluation data are in Tables 1 and 2. Flavor was exceptional due to the dry season, and most melon varieties evaluated previously performed well. Varieties are grouped by melon type and listed in order of declining yield within the grouping. Weed control was excellent, but plant injury from the Command component of Strategy was severe as evidenced by plant bleaching immediately after application. Plants gradually regained their chlorophyll as the season progressed, but vine growth was reduced. Yield was reduced by roughly half, when compared to the 2007 season. This was most probably caused by the Command injury and a reduction in water application to the plot due to a restriction in the irrigation line that was not noted until most of the harvest was completed. Both of these factors tended to increase melon sugar contents. Bacterial wilt and powdery mildew were the primary diseases (Table 3). No virus was observed. Bacterial wilt caused the loss of more plants than in previous seasons. This was possibly due to the plot location, which was close to a railroad right of way where wild cucurbits prosper.

17 Sunrise, Dorado, Orange Sherbet, NUN 7225, and Mini Ananas lost the most plants, but except for Mini Ananas, their yields were surprisingly good in comparison with other varieties. Powdery mildew was a serious disease this season and no varieties were immune to its effects. However, there was a large difference in infection levels between varieties. Sweetie, Green Flesh, and Sweet Delight had the highest levels of infection, while HSR 4347 and Mini Ananas had some of the lowest powdery mildew infection levels. Eastern Muskmelon Orange Sherbet, Ambrosia, Atlantis, Eclipse, Earlichamp, and Wrangler were the top Eastern muskmelons in this trial. Orange Sherbet had the highest yield and largest excellent tasting melons. Ambrosia is an older variety known for its excellent taste, but is soft and has poor shelf life. Atlantis and Eclipse also performed well. Earlichamp is notable for its earliness and quality. Wrangler is a very distinctive Tuscan melon with very attractive dark green sutures and a smaller size — it also had the highest flavor rating. Lil Loupe is notable for its very small size, high flavor, and potential for a specialty niche market. All of the above mentioned varieties were superior to Athena, the industry standard in flavor and sugar content. Honeydew HSR 4347, an experimental numbered variety, was the highest yielding and best tasting honeydew of those evaluated. Honey Brew, our standard recommendation, which has done well in previous trials, also performed very well. Temptation #1, an orange-fleshed honeydew that develops some surface checking, looked good for a second season. Honey Gold, the second orange-fleshed honeydew in the trial, and Summer Dew were excellent varieties that were essentially free of surface netting and checking. Finally NUN 7225, noted for its consistent size and outstanding flavor, looked very good. Canary All of the canary melons performed exceptionally well and had few culls. Dorado trended toward having the highest yield and had outstanding flavor. Sugar Nut, a small canary melon, again performed exceptionally well and produced high quality, attractive melons. Camposol and Sonora both tasted very good and Camposol fruit developed small longitudinal checks at maturity that were attractive. Asian Sunrise and Napoli have produced consistently high-quality, excellent-tasting, uniform-sized melons over the last three seasons. Sprite is an outstanding Asian melon and has been consistent in our trials over the years. It is a small, cream-colored melon with crisp flesh that has a strong consumer following. Galia HSR 4310 and HSR 4377 were both exceptional small, personal-sized galia melons with excellent flavor.

18 Muskmelon Galia Crosses Both Sweetie and Pixie were excellent quality melons and had very firm orange flesh that was attractive and excellent in flavor. Pixie was the smaller of the melons and was rated as having a slightly better flavor, while Sweetie was a larger melon with a slightly higher yield tendency. Gourmet Sensation is an outstanding melon in terms of appearance, flavor, and sugar content, and has been consistent in quality from year to year. It ripens rapidly, must be harvested frequently, and produces melons over a long period. Ananas The Mini Ananas variety was a very nice melon and was small compared to other melons of this type that we have tested over the years. Ananas melons should be harvested daily, because of their rapid ripening, short harvest window, and short storage life. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their hard work and assistance in the successful completion of this trial: Matthew Anderson, Katie Bale, Jessica Ballard, Sean Bessin, Ryan Capito, Jessica Cole, Jessica Dye, Meredith Hall, Lucas Hanks, Ellen Meyer, Dave Lowry, Julie Pfeiffer, Tyler Pierce, Kirk Ranta, Kiefer Shuler, Matthew Simpson, Joseph Tucker, Bonka Vaneva, David Wayne, and Sarah Yates.

19 Table 1. Specialty melon variety trial yield and fruit characteristics, Lexington, Ky., 2008. Avg. Outside Avg. Flesh Seed Cavity Melon Seed Days to Yield No. Culls Measurements Variety Wt./Fruit Thickness Type1 Source Harvest (cwt/A)2 Melons (%)3 (lbs.) Length Width (in.) Length Width /A (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)

Orange Sherbet MM SW 83 549 a 7,606 7.2 4 8.9 6.5 1.7 6.2 3.2 Ambrosia MM SW 86 477 abc 12,186 3.9 5 6.5 5.9 1.9 3.9 2.6 Atlantis MM SW 74 420 abcd 7,433 5.7 2 7.8 6.6 1.9 5.1 2.8 Cruiser MM HR 74 408 abcd 9,594 4.1 3 6.5 5.9 1.6 3.8 2.9 CS823819 MM CF 85 406 abcd 6,741 6.0 2 8.0 6.5 2.0 4.8 2.7 Aphrodite MM SW 80 402 abcd 6,136 6.7 1 7.7 6.9 1.6 5.2 3.5 Jaipur MM SW 86 391 abcd 8,038 4.9 1 7.8 6.4 1.8 5.0 2.8 Eclipse MM SW 85 365 abcd 6,914 5.4 2 7.4 6.9 2.0 4.7 3.1 Primo MM ST 79 359 abcd 6,396 5.6 4 7.8 6.6 1.8 5.0 2.9 Diva MM SW 81 356 abcd 5,013 7.1 2 8.0 7.0 1.9 5.5 3.3

20 Earlichamp MM HL 78 344 bcd 6,655 5.1 1 7.7 6.3 2.1 4.8 2.7 Athena MM SW 79 323 bcd 6,914 4.6 4 7.4 6.9 1.9 4.7 3.2 Lil Loupe MM RU 80 317 cd 17,113 1.9 2 4.8 4.6 1.4 2.9 2.0 Wrangler MM HL 85 305 cd 9,161 3.3 1 6.2 5.5 1.6 4.0 2.3 Goddess MM SW 70 244 d 4,754 5.1 14 7.3 6.5 1.9 4.8 2.8 HSR 4347 HD HL 85 514 ab 8,556 5.8 1 7.2 7.4 2.2 4.2 3.2 Honey Brew HD RU 90 482 abc 7,260 6.4 1 8.3 7.0 1.7 5.3 3.6 Earlidew HD ST 75 462 abc 9,939 4.6 3 6.2 6.2 1.7 3.6 2.9 Honeymoon HD PK 80 458 abc 9,334 4.9 0 7.9 7.0 2.0 5.1 3.0 Hyb. Summer Dew HD HM 90 451 abc 7,174 6.3 0 7.4 7.0 1.8 4.4 3.3 Temptation #1 HD SK 85-90 434 abcd 7,174 6.0 3 8.1 6.9 2.0 5.2 3.0 Honey Gold HD HM 85 426 abcd 8,124 5.2 1 8.1 7.0 1.7 5.4 3.3 HSR 4333 HD HL 88 424 abcd 6,482 6.5 1 7.8 7.1 2.0 4.4 3.2 Honey Yellow HD JS 71 424 abcd 14,347 2.9 3 5.7 5.3 1.5 3.5 2.5 NUN 7225 HD NU 85 415 abcd 7,865 5.4 0 7.3 6.8 2.0 4.5 2.8

Continued on next page Table 1 (continued) Avg. Outside Avg. Flesh Seed Cavity Melon Seed Days to Yield No. Culls Measurements Variety Wt./Fruit Thickness Type1 Source Harvest (cwt/A)2 Melons (%)3 (lbs.) Length Width (in.) Length Width /A (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)

Sweet Delight HD RU 90 369 abcd 5,359 7.0 0 8.3 7.3 1.7 5.3 4.0 Snow Mass HD PK 90 343 bcd 7,865 4.4 0 7.2 6.4 2.0 4.4 2.6 Green Flesh HD RU 90 298 cd 4,926 6.0 2 8.6 7.5 1.8 5.6 4.0 Dorado CA ST 85 461 abc 7,346 6.2 0 8.8 6.8 1.8 6.3 3.4 Camposol CA SW 80 425 abcd 7,346 5.8 1 8.9 6.5 2.0 5.9 2.8 Sonora CA CF 80 421 abcd 8,729 4.8 1 7.8 6.3 1.6 5.2 2.9 Sugar Nut CA JS 77 399 abcd 13,137 3.0 0 6.6 5.7 1.7 3.9 2.2 Sunrise AS EV 72 472 abc 16,508 2.8 3 5.2 5.1 1.5 3.3 2.5 Sprite AS CF 80 463 abc 34,917 1.3 1 4.7 3.9 1.0 3.2 2.1 Napoli AS EV 72 404 abcd 13,915 2.8 3 4.9 4.8 1.6 2.6 2.0

21 Venice AS EV 80 338 bcd 9,248 3.6 1 6.3 5.8 1.5 4.1 2.8 HSR 4310 GA HL 74 467 abc 19,274 2.4 2 5.0 4.9 1.6 2.9 1.9 HSR 4377 GA HL 70 339 bcd 14,693 2.3 2 4.9 4.9 1.5 2.8 2.3 Sweetie MG KU 85 434 abcd 10,907 4.0 0 6.8 5.6 1.7 4.2 2.4 Pixie MG HL 80 392 abcd 14,952 2.6 0 5.4 5.3 1.6 3.1 2.3 Sensation GO HL/RU 80 459 abc 10,112 4.5 5 6.6 6.2 1.7 4.1 2.9 Mini Ananas AN RU 65-75 317 cd 11,236 2.8 6 6.4 4.9 1.3 4.2 2.5 1Melon type: AN=ananas, AS=Asian melon, CA=canary, GA=galia, GO=gourmet, HD=honeydew, MG=muskmelon galia cross, MM=Eastern muskmelon. 2Numbers followed by the same letter are not significantly different (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test LSD P = 0.05). Cwt/A=hundredweights (100 lb. units) per acre. 3Cull percent by weight. Table 2. Specialty melon trial fruit characteristics, Lexington, Ky., 2008. Flavor Sugar Interior Rind Fruit Net Variety Comments (1-5)1 (%) Color2 Color3 Shape Type4

Very large melon; attractive exterior & interior; sutures Orange Sherbet 4.4 14.8 or. str. oblong co. turn from dark green to straw color when ripe; smooth firm flesh; nice flavor; harv. at slip Nice flavor; soft, smooth melting flesh; short harv. Ambrosia 4.7 13.3 or. lt. or. str. oblong md. window; harvest at slip Attractive exterior & interior; smooth firm flesh; harv. at Atlantis 4.6 14.2 bor. str. oblong md. slip hv. Attractive exterior & interior; v. firm dry flesh; harv. at Cruiser 3.7 11.9 or. lt. str. oblong co. slip md. V. large; attractive exterior & interior; some surface CS823819 3.8 12.1 or. str. oblong hv. cracking; harv. at slip

22 Not symmetrica; variable in size; smooth soft flesh; harv. Aphrodite 3.9 12.5 or. str. round co. at slip md. Attractive exterior & interior; firm smooth flesh; harv. at Jaipur 3.8 13.2 or. str. oblong hv. slip hv. Eclipse 4.1 13.1 or. str. round Attractive interior; soft smooth flesh; harv. at slip co. Nice flavor; a little surface cracking and dry decay; harv. Primo 4.5 14.5 lt. or. str. oblong fi. at slip Diva 3.7 12.2 or. str. oblong co. V. large, variable in size; soft smooth flesh; harv. at slip Slightly green shallow sutures; some cracking; fine soft Earlichamp 4.1 13.3 or. str. oblong md. flesh; harv. at slip Industry standard; attractive exterior & interior; harv. at Athena 3.8 13.4 or. str. sl. oblong md. fi slip V. small; rough exterior; excellent smooth firm flesh; Lil Loupe 4.6 14.2 or. str. round co. harv. at slip

Continued on next page Table 2 (continued) Flavor Sugar Interior Rind Fruit Net Variety Comments (1-5)1 (%) Color2 Color3 Shape Type4

Attractive rind; has dk. gr. sutures; smooth firm flesh; Wrangler 4.8 14.5 or. str. oblong md. harv. at slip Some rind scarring; cracks when overripe; fine textured Goddess 3.7 12.0 or. str. oblong co. flesh; harv. at slip Excellent flavor; medium firm flesh; may or may not have HSR 4347 4.8 17.0 lt. gr. cr. round md. diffuse netting; harv. just prior to slip when exterior is a yellowish cream color or at full slip diffus Surface netting; crisp flesh; harv. when rind is cream Honey Brew 4.7 15.4 lt. gr. cr. oblong e color & waxy Difficult to pick at high sugar without serious exterior Earlidew 4.7 15.9 lt. gr. cr. yl. round co. checking and cracking Honeymoon Surface checking diffuse netting; some cracking; crisp 4.7 17.8 lt. gr. cr. oblong na

23 Hyb. crunchy flesh; harv. when rind cream colored and waxy Free of netting; v. firm flesh; harv. when cream colored & Summer Dew 4.4 16.2 lt. gr. cr. yl. round na waxy Some surface checking; firm crisp flesh; harv. when Temptation #1 4.5 15.2 or. cr. oblong na cream colored & waxy Attractive exterior; no checking; most, but not all melons Honey Gold 4.4 15.7 lt. or. cr. gr. almond na slip V. smooth attractive exterior; soft slightly grainy flesh; HSR 4333 4.2 14.9 lt. gr cr. gr. oblong na some split in field, harv. when cream colored & waxy Attractive; may crack across blossom end; harvest when Honey Yellow 4.5 15.9 lt. or. dk. yl. round na. dark yellow Medium crunchy nice flavored flesh; harv. when cream NUN 7225 4.6 17.2 lt. gr. cr. oblong na colored & waxy Smooth exterior; harv. at yellowish cream exterior & Sweet Delight 4.2 15.4 lt. gr. cr. oblong na cream ground spot

Continued on next page Table 2 (continued) Flavor Sugar Interior Rind Fruit Net Variety Comments (1-5)1 (%) Color2 Color3 Shape Type4

Attractive slightly crisp flesh; cracks, harv. When cream Snow Mass 4.7 16.6 lt. gr. Cr. Gr. Oblong na colored & waxy Late maturity; coarse crunchy; harv. When exterior Green Flesh 4.2 14.7 lt. gr. Cr. Round na yellowish cream colored Attractive exterior & interior; soft melting flesh; harv. Dorado 4.7 13.8 gr.-cr. Bt. Yl. Almond na When dark yellow Attractive exterior & interior; soft slightly chewy flesh; Camposol 4.6 13.9 gr.-cr. Bt. Yl. Almond na harv. When dark yellow Uniform longitudinal checking; crisp flesh; harv. When Sonora 4.4 14.1 gr.-cr. Bt. Yl. Almond na golden yellow Attractive exterior & interior; soft smooth flesh; harv. Sugar Nut 4.8 15.9 lt. gr. Bt. Yl. Almond na When dark yellow

24 hv. Uniform size, soft melting flesh; harv. When rind turns Sunrise 4.7 16.0 lt. or. Str. Round Co. yellow before slip Attractive crisp flesh; harv. When rind becomes slightly Sprite 4.4 16.8 cr. Cr. Oval na waxy; develops a yellowish tinge and minute concentric checks appear around blossom end Excellent flavor; soft smooth flesh; harv. At first slip Napoli 4.7 16.5 cr. Gr. Cr. Gr. Round hv. Fi. when rind colors hv. Dark green sutures; difficult to harv.; look for cream Venice 4.3 15.2 or. Bl. Gr. Oblong Co. colored ground spot Attractive, smooth firm flesh; harv. Just prior to slip at HSR 4310 4.3 13.2 lt. gr. Dk. Yl. Round md. full color or at slip Attractive exterior & interior; uniform size; smooth flesh; HSR 4377 4.5 15.3 gr. Str. Round md. harv. At slip Lt. bl. md. Sweetie 4.4 15.4 or. Oval Crisp flesh; harv. When rind develops yellow highlights Gr. co.

Continued on next page Table 2 (continued) Flavor Sugar Interior Rind Fruit Net Variety Comments (1-5)1 (%) Color2 Color3 Shape Type4

hv. Uniform size; v. firm sweet flesh; harv. with yellow Pixie 4.5 17.3 or. lt. gr. yl. round co. highlights in rind Attractive; soft melting flesh; ripens rapidly; harv. as rind Sensation 4.3 13.3 cr. or. str. round lt. co. yellows or at slip Mini Ananas 4.3 13.7 cr. dk. str. elongated md. Attractive exterior & interior; ripens rapidly; harv. at slip 1Flavor: 1=poor; 5=excellent, sweet taste, pleasant texture. 2Interior color: bor.=bright orange, or.=orange, cr.=cream, lt. gr.=light green, cr.=creamy, pk.=pink. 3Rind color: lt. gr.=light green, gr.=green, dk. gr.=dark green, yl.=yellow, bt. yl.=bright yellow, str.=straw, or.=orange, gd.=gold, cr.=cream, bl.=blue. 4Net type: na=none, lt.=light amount of netting, md.=medium amount of netting, hv.=heavy amount of netting, fi.=fine textured, co.=coarse. 25 Table 3. Specialty melon trial disease ratings, Lexington, Ky., 2008 Dead Plants Powdery Mildew Variety (%) 1.2 (%)3

Orange Sherbet 18 bc 45 bc Ambrosia 0 c 42 cd Atlantis 7 c 20 fghij Cruiser 4 c 22 fghi CS823819 0 c 6 kl Aphrodite 0 c 48 bc Jaipur 4 c 27 efgh Eclipse 0 c 41 cd Primo 0 c 16 ghijk Diva 7 c 17 ghijk Earlichamp 4 c 39 cde Athena 0 c 53 b Lil Loupe 0 c 45 bc Wrangler 0 c 15 hijkl Goddess 4 c 23 fghi HSR 4347 18 bc 2 h Honey Brew 4 c 50 bc Earlidew 7 c 56 bc Honeymoon Hyb. 7 c 15 hijkl Summer Dew 0 c 9 ijkl Temptation #1 0 c 43 cd Honey Gold 7 c 47 bc HSR 4333 7 c 20 fghij Honey Yellow 4 c 28 efgh NUN 7225 18 bc 7 jkl Sweet Delight 0 c 72 a Snow Mass 7 c 39 cde Green Flesh 0 c 73 a Dorado 29 ab 30 defg Camposol 0 c 32 def Sonora 0 c 23 fghi Sugar Nut 0 c 31 def Sunrise 39 a 22 fghi Sprite 4 c 6 kl

Continued on next page

26 Table 3 (continued) Dead Plants Powdery Mildew Variety (%) 1.2 (%)3

Napoli 11 bc 24 fgh Venice 0 c 56 b HSR 4310 0 c 4 kl HSR 4377 4 c 21 fghij Sweetie 14 bc 76 a Pixie 14 bc 10 ijkl Sensation 0 c 22 fghi Mini Ananas 18 bc 2 l 1Percent dead plants, primarily due to bacterial wilt on18 August. 2Numbers followed by the same letter are not significantly different (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test LSD P = 0.05). 3Powdery mildew rating as percent leaf area infected, rated 1-4 September.

27 Romaine Lettuce Cultivar Trial

Dave Spalding and Timothy Coolong, University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture

Introduction Although romaine lettuce is not currently grown on a commercial scale in Kentucky, high fuel costs have sparked an interest in romaine lettuce production east of the Mississippi River to lessen transportation costs to Eastern U.S. markets. Romaine lettuce production could be an early/short season crop for Kentucky growers looking to extend their growing season. This trial is intended to look at some of the varieties that are currently being grown in our region to determine which, if any, of these cultivars perform best for our area. Materials and Methods The trial was conducted at the University of Kentucky Horticulture Research Farm. The seed of 17 romaine lettuce cultivars and one green leaf cultivar were seeded in the greenhouse in 98 cell size trays on February 27, 2008. Plants were transplanted to the field on April 4, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plants were transplanted into raised beds with black plastic mulch and trickle irrigation. Each cultivar in each replication had 20 plants in 15- inch-wide rows with 12 inches between plants within the rows. The plot received a preplant application of 50 lb/A of N, 50 lb/A P205, and 50 lb/A K20 as indicated by soil samples. An additional 30 lb/A of N was applied through the trickle irrigation during the growing season. The plot was scouted regularly for diseases and insects and sprays applied accordingly. The plot was harvested on June 5. Ten plants from each cultivar and each replication were harvested and evaluated for color, leaf texture, plant frame, head weight, head length, core length, and overall rating. The green leaf cultivar BOS9115-GLX was planted for observation purposes only and proved to be a very acceptable green leaf lettuce cultivar. Results and Discussion Color, leaf texture, and plant frame were consistent within the cultivar in each replication (Table 1). The color of each cultivar was essentially the same except for Jericho, which was a yellowish green, and Ideal, which was a noticeably lighter green. Plant frame for the different cultivars was nearly indistinguishable except for Jericho, which was noticeably taller. The leaf texture of most cultivars tended to be crinkled and savoy in appearance except for the cultivar Ideal, which was smoother and noticeably less savoy in texture. With the exception of the color of Jericho, all the cultivars were acceptable for color, plant frame, and leaf texture. Other characteristics of commercially acceptable Romaine lettuce cultivars are head weights of about 1.5 pounds, head height or length of 10 to 12 inches, and a core length of less than 3.5 inches. Based on these characteristics, PIC 714, Green Forest, Ideal, and Green Towers were the highest rated cultivars. Weather conditions this spring were near normal as opposed to last spring when record cold temperatures in early April were followed by near record high temperatures in late April and most of May. With more normal weather conditions this spring, the results of this study should be more indicative of the plant characteristics of the cultivars being examined.

28 Table 1. Average head weight, height, core length, and overall evaluation of romaine lettuce cultivars1. Avg. Core Overall Avg. Weight Avg. Height Cultivar Length Evaluation of (pounds)2 (inches)3 (inches)4 Cultivars5

Jericho 2.37 a 14.8 a 3.8 ab 4.0 b Plato II 2.34 ab 12.3 f 3.9 a 4.4 ab Costal Star 2.26 abc 13.7 bc 3.5 abc 4.7 a BOS 9021-G 2.14 abc 13.0 cde 3.2 abcd 4.7 a Green Forest 2.07 abc 13.2 cd 2.8 cde 4.9 a EXP T12 2.03 abcd 12.7 def 2.8 de 4.6 a Green Towers 2.00 abcd 12.6 def 2.8 cde 4.9 a Rubicon 1.98 abcd 12.5 ef 2.7 de 4.6 a Torrento 1.97 abcd 12.4 ef 2.8 cde 4.7 a PIC 714 1.89 bcd 12.5 f 2.7 de 4.9 a Ideal 1.87 cd 14.0 b 3.1 bcd 4.9 a Fresh Heart 1.85 cd 12.6 def 3.1 bcd 4.5 ab Paris Island 1.84 cd 12.2 f 2.6 de 4.4 ab Nautilus 1.83 cd 12.6 def 2.7 de 4.7 a Mirella 1.82 cd 12.6 def 2.8 cde 4.5 ab Paragon PIC 1.80 cd 12.3 f 2.5 de 4.4 a PIC-A 1.60 c 12.1 f 2.2 e 4.5 ab 1Treatments followed by different letters are statistically different with P<0.05. 2Weight is for the whole cut plant. 3Head height was measured from the cut base to the tip of the leaves. 4Core length was measured from the cut base to the apex of the growth point. 5The overall rating was a composite of rating factors and general appearance.

29 Spring Onion Cultivar Evaluation in Central Kentucky

Timothy Coolong, Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky

Introduction Although onions are grown on a limited basis in Kentucky, they represent a potentially profitable crop for those who grow them. Farmers who are currently growing onions in Kentucky generally limit plantings to just a few acres. However, by using retail markets and produce auctions to sell their product, these growers are able to command prices ranging from $0.40 to $0.50 per pound. This represents a profit potential of many thousands of dollars per acre. A variety trial was conducted using primarily medium and long day cultivars to determine which varieties would be best suited for farmers in Kentucky. Materials and Methods Eleven onion varieties were seeded into 200-cell trays on January 11, 2008. Seedlings were greenhouse grown and fertilized with 150 ppm N of 20-10-20 twice weekly. Seedlings were transplanted on April 2 into flat beds spaced on 6-foot centers on the University of Kentucky Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington, KY. Black plastic mulch (4 feet wide) and drip tape were put down prior to planting. Each bed contained five rows of onions spaced 6 inches within and between rows. Plots contained 200 plants each (20 feet) and were separated from adjacent plots within the same row by 6 feet. This would result in a per acre population of 72,000 plants. The varieties were arranged in the field in a randomized complete block design with four replications of 200 plants each. Approximately 50 lb N per acre was broadcast prior to planting using ammonium nitrate. Supplemental potassium and phosphorous were not necessary according to soil tests. Starting two weeks after transplanting, N was applied at a rate of 20 pounds per acre through the drip irrigation. This continued every other week until approximately 80 lb N acre had been applied through the drip irrigation. Lorsban 15G was applied at planting to control onion maggots. Thereafter, Pounce was sprayed for thrips control in June and July. No fungicides were sprayed. Varieties were harvested starting July 2 and continuing through July 30. Varieties were weighed and graded according to USDA size and quality standards for onions. Ten bulb subsamples were taken and sliced to determine the percentage of bulbs with multiple and percent dry matter. Statistics were performed using SAS statistical software. Data was tested for normality, and transformed if necessary. Results were considered significantly different if P< 0.5. Results and Discussion The yellow skinned varieties with the largest marketable yields included Expression, Peso, and Candy, all yielding more than 800 units/A (Table 1). The majority of the bulbs produced by these varieties were either colossal or jumbo. A white variety, Super Star, also yielded well. Two red varieties, Red Line and Red Beauty, tended to produce a larger percentage of medium bulbs. Both red varieties also had the highest levels of dry matter and tended to have thicker outer scales. Two large bulb varieties, Walla Walla and Ailsa Craig, produced lower marketable yields than expected. In a separate study, these two varieties were planted in the fall and overwintered

30 in central Kentucky, producing reasonable yields of very large bulbs. However, while both varieties continued to produce large bulbs, their marketable yield was down due to a high number of culls that were the result of the presence of several diseases in these cultivars when planted in the spring. Perhaps these two cultivars are better suited to fall planting and overwintering in Kentucky, while other varieties such as Expression, Peso, and Candy are better suited to spring planting.

31 Table 1. Days to harvest, total yield, colossal, jumbo, medium, small, and cull onions given in 50-pound-bag units per acre; as well as percentage of doubles and dry matter for 11 varieties of onion. Varieties are ordered based on total marketable yield (highest to lowest)1. Total Multi- Dry Days to Cull Variety Marketable Colossal Jumbo Medium Small Center Matter Harvest2 (%)3 Yield (%)4 (%)

Expression 113 885 a 138 abc 511 ab 230 bcd 5 bc 1.5 c 12.5 cde 6.5 def Peso 120 874 a 164 ab 551 a 156 cde 3 cd 4.3 c 2.5 de 7.0 cde Superstar 110 830 a 129 abc 499 abc 199 bcde 4 bcd 1.8 c 0 e 7.0 cde Candy 110 810 a 159 ab 507 ab 142 de 2 cd 3.8 c 2.5 de 8.0 bc Sweet Spanish 122 752 ab 69 bcd 451 abcd 227 bcd 6 bc 3.0 c 15.0 ab 7.8 cd Olympic 100 630 bc 25 d 364 bcde 234 abcd 6 bc 2.5 c 35.0 ab 8.3 bc Red line 113 626 bc 17 d 315 de 288 ab 6 bc 6.8 c 25.0 bc 11.0 a Walla Walla 113 623 bc 194 a 332 cde 96 e 1 d 29.0 b 47.5 a 6.0 ef Red Beauty 113 589 c 2 d 240 ef 338 a 8 b 1.5 c 7.5 de 9.3 b 32 Ailsa Craig 120 427 d 55 cd 270 e 100 e 2 cd 51.8 a 7.5 de 5.3 f WI 131 92 363 d 0 d 95 f 254 abc 15 a 2.3 c 15.0 dc 5.5 f 1Treatments followed by different letters are statistically different with P<0.05. 2Onions yields are based on populations of 72,000 plants per acre and presented in units of 50 lb bags/acre. 2 Days to harvest from transplanting. 3 Percentage culls were based on weight. 4 Percentage of doubles is the number of bulbs with multiple (growing points) centers in ten bulb samples from each rep. Evaluation of Eighteen Sweet Onion Cultivars in Southwest Michigan

Ron Goldy, Darryl Warncke, Virginia Wendzel and Stephanie Archer Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center Objective Evaluate performance of 18 sweet onion cultivars planted by direct seeding or transplanting under southwest Michigan growing conditions. Summary Eighteen onion cultivars were evaluated as transplants or in a direct seeded planting. Significant differences were found in all traits in both plantings. ‘Monterro,’ Desperado,’ and ‘Ovation’ were among the leaders in total yield, jumbo and medium size bulbs in both trials. Harvest for the transplanted trial began late July while harvest of the direct seeded trial began late August. Bulb size in 2008 was lower than 2007. Weather conditions and effects from Poast herbicide may have adversely affected 2007 bulb size. ‘Sweet Spanish’ had the best soluble solid and pyruvic acid levels. Cultivars were identified for planting in Michigan. Michigan could potentially fill the demand for sweet onions from August to December, or longer, when onions are being shipped into the state from the western U.S. or Central and South America. Methods Fertilizer Prior to planting, 0-0-60 and 34-0-0 were broadcast and incorporated at 400 and 60 pounds per acre, respectively. After planting, the trial was fertilized on May 23 and May 30 with Nitro Plus 18 (18-0-0-3(Ca) with micronutrients) from Widmer and Associates, and weekly applications of 4-0-8-2(Ca) from June 6 to August 1 for the transplanted trial, and June 6 to August 15 for the direct seeded planting. Nitro Plus and 4-0-8-2(Ca) were applied through the drip system. Nitro Plus supplied 20 pounds per acre nitrogen for both plantings and 4-0-8-2(Ca) supplied 63 pounds nitrogen per acre for the transplanted trial and 77 pounds nitrogen per acre for the direct seeded trial. Total nitrogen for the direct seeded trail was 117 pounds per acre and 103 pounds per acre for the transplanted trial. Weed Control Weeds were controlled using hand hoeing and one application of Poast (1 pint/acre plus 1 quart COC) on June 11. Planting Transplanted onions were started in a greenhouse in 288 cell trays on February 25 and planted to the field April 30 and May 1. Direct seeded onions were planted April 7. Both trials were planted in four-row beds, 5.5-foot on center with 12-inches between rows in the bed. In-row spacing was 4 inches between plants providing approximately 95,000 plants per acre. Transplants were set at 4 inches and direct seeded were thinned to 4 inches. Plots consisted of two rows, 10 feet long

33 each. The trials were planted as a completely randomized design with four replications. They were planted and analyzed as separate trials. Plant Care The trial was drip irrigated as needed. Lorsban was applied at one-quart per acre on May 23. No fungicides were applied. Harvest and Data Collection Bulbs were harvested when tops were mostly dried down beginning the week of August 4 for the transplanted trial and the week of August 25 for the direct seeded trial. Bulbs were pulled and removed from the field and allowed to dry before being graded and weighed. Bulbs were graded into super colossal (4.5+ inches in diameter), colossal (4-4.5-inches), jumbo (3-4-inches), medium (2-3-inches), small (1-2-inches) and cull. A “curl” rating was taken June 18 after it was noticed the Poast application affected growth and differences between lines were apparent. Pyruvic acid and soluble solid levels were obtained from the better performing lines Results In general, 2008 was not good for onion production. The planting season was cool and wet causing delays and slow growth. The direct seeded trial took 16 and 18 days to emerge. During germination, soil temperatures were 45oF to 61oF (51.6oF average). Cool temperatures continued through the season. The weather effect can be seen by comparing lines appearing in 2007 and 2008. There were no super colossal and colossal bulbs in 2008 (there was no direct seeded trial in 2007) while ‘Sweet Spanish,’ ‘Superstar,’ and ‘Mars’ all had bulbs in these categories in 2007. Total yields were lower in lines appearing both years and average size shifted downward one category in 2008 compared to 2007. Size could have been affected by the Poast application (Poast was not applied in 2007). Poast application came at a time of bulb growth and additional stress could have affected size. Production recommendations for Georgia indicate Poast can cause damage during hot weather. Temperatures following application reached 85oF, 88oF, and 83oF on June 11, June 12, and June 13, respectively. Significant differences were found in both trials for all traits measured. As in 2007, harvest of the transplanted trial began late July. Harvest of the direct seeded trial began primarily a month later in late August. Total yield of transplanted onions ranged from 245.83 (‘Copra’) to 502.38 (‘Expression’) hundredweight per acre (Table 1). Eight other entries in the transplanted trial were statistically similar to ‘Expression’ in total yield. ‘Expression’ was also among the leaders in jumbo, medium, and cull bulbs. Total yield of the direct seeded trial ranged from 27.05 (‘Sequoia’) to 481.75 (‘Montero’) hundredweight (Table 2). ‘Desperado’ and ‘Ovation’ had similar total yields as ‘Montero.’ ‘Montero’ was also among the leaders in colossal, jumbo, medium, and cull bulbs. XON 550Y was the only other direct seeded entry to have colossal bulbs (5.11 hundredweight) but its yield was significantly lower than the leaders in all other categories. Only ‘Red Defender’ was similar to ‘Montero’ in jumbo yield. Even though the same entries appeared in both 2008 trials, the trials were not designed to make a transplanted versus direct seeded comparison. However, the transplanted trial did appear better. Average total yield of the 18 entries was higher in the transplanted trial (337.41 hundredweight) compared to the direct seeded trial (250.77 hundredweight) (Tables 1 and 2). These differences could be due to plant stand since stand in a transplanted trial is better than a direct seeded trial

34 The average “curl” rating also differed between the two plantings with the transplanted onions appearing more affected then the direct seeded plants, 1.89 and 1.68, respectively on a 3-point scale (1 not affected; 3 severely affected). This could be due to difference in plant stage with the transplanted onions being somewhat larger when Poast was applied. The three leaders in total yield in the seeded trial — ‘Montero,’ Desperado,’ and ‘Ovation’ — were also among the leaders in the transplanted trial and had surprisingly similar total yields in both plantings. More variation for total yield was observed in the direct seeded trial than the transplanted trial indicating some cultivars may be adapted for transplanting but not seeding. This is apparent in XON 670W where it was among the leaders in the transplanted but next to last in the seeded trial (Tables 1 and 2). Some direct seeded entries did not germinate well and had a poor plant stand. So even though they may be adapted from a bulb production standpoint, they may not be adapted to the cooler soil conditions experienced in Michigan. Soluble solid and pyruvic acid levels were evaluated for the better performing lines (Tables 1 and 2). Pyruvic acid levels fell mostly into the medium (3-7 micromoles) pungency level in both trials. XON 670W and ‘Sweet Spanish’ had low pyruvic acid levels (0-3 micromoles) in the transplanted trial and ‘Ovation’ had low levels in the direct seeded trial. ‘Copra’ had the highest soluble solid levels in both trials. Ideally, sweet onions should be high in soluble solids and low in pyruvic acid. With these criteria, ‘Sweet Spanish’ had the best soluble solids to pyruvic acid levels in either trial. The Michigan onion industry produces primarily a pungent cooking onion. Michigan onion production has decreased in recent years while U.S. onion consumption has increased. The U.S. increase has primarily been with sweet onions. Michigan has yet to enter the sweet onion market. Reasons that have been given are lack of adaptable cultivars (most sweet onions are short day onions), short growing season, increased disease susceptibility, no name recognition, and others. Although more research needs to be conducted, results from the 2007 and 2008 trials indicate there are cultivars adapted for Michigan’s climate and the harvest period would start in August from transplants and continue through September with direct seeded plantings. Supplies could be extended using common cold and/or controlled atmosphere storage. Michigan could be supplying a portion of the regional sweet onion market from August through December. This is at a time when sweet onions are shipped into the region from western states or Central and South America.

35 Table 1. Yield in hundredweight per acre of 18 transplanted onions at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2008. Plant population was approximately 95,000 plants per acre.

Color Source Total Yield Yield Yield Yield Soluble Pyruvic Curl Variety Yield Jumbo1 Medium2 Small3 Cull Solids Acid4 Rating Expression Y BE 502.38 291.97 131.87 0.00 78.54 5.4 3.08 1.75 Montero Y NH 447.03 279.73 157.68 1.26 8.36 5.4 4.83 2.50 XON 670W W SK 392.21 211.98 152.48 11.23 16.51 5.6 2.98 2.50 Desperado Y BE 385.22 193.97 154.71 12.82 23.72 6.5 5.08 2.75 Red Defender R RI 378.81 264.04 106.55 1.28 6.94 9.9 6.67 2.00 Ovation Y SK 375.97 226.81 100.22 0.89 48.05 4.2 3.99 2.50 Rosita P BE 374.34 168.61 190.06 3.06 12.61 7.3 3.75 1.00 Red Fortress R RI 363.27 203.57 110.32 3.05 46.33 8.6 5.71 1.75 Western Giant Y SK 350.19 110.59 148.90 9.28 81.42 -- -- 2.00 Spanish Medallion Y SK 301.47 151.19 118.21 9.68 22.39 -- -- 1.50 36 Mt. Whitney W SK 299.58 81.83 156.32 4.31 57.13 -- -- 2.75 Sweet Spanish Y JU 290.58 58.42 192.89 2.17 37.10 6.0 2.96 1.50 Rumba R NH 289.11 56.99 199.47 3.82 28.83 -- -- 1.25 Sequoia Y NH 283.92 33.29 214.68 21.08 14.88 -- -- 2.00 Superstar W JU 280.55 65.27 121.51 9.38 84.39 -- -- 1.75 Mars R JU 266.53 49.74 188.51 18.12 10.17 -- -- 1.00 XON 550Y Y SK 246.31 79.16 117.93 25.61 23.62 -- -- 1.75 Copra Y JU 245.83 3.98 225.44 16.41 0.00 10.4 5.48 1.75 Lsd=0.05 176.86 144.3 98.13 24.19 50.99 0.75 13 to 4 inches in diameter. 22 to 3 inches in diameter. 31 to 2 inches in diameter. 4Micromoles/liter.

Table 2. Yield in hundredweight per acre of 18 direct seeded onions at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2008. Plant population was approximately 95,000 plants per acre.

Total Yield Yield Yield Yield Yield Soluble Pyruvic Curl Variety Color Source Yield Colossal1 Jumbo2 Medium3 Small4 Cull Solids Acid5 Rating Montero Y NH 481.75 8.51 324.85 106.58 13.50 28.33 7.1 5.25 1.75 Desperado Y BE 396.45 0 181.61 118.24 44.18 52.42 7.2 5.49 2.00 Ovation Y SK 372.25 0 175.78 146.37 21.53 28.57 5.4 2.78 1.75 Red Fortress R RI 360.42 0 149.74 148.00 25.56 37.13 9.1 4.29 1.75 Sweet Spanish Y JU 324.65 0 136.22 150.20 16.03 22.19 6.7 3.07 1.75 Expression Y BE 321.18 0 155.96 115.27 20.74 29.21 5.6 3.65 1.25 Red Defender R RI 308.88 0 224.69 55.24 1.35 27.61 8.5 5.81 2.25 Spanish Medallion Y SK 289.73 0 89.11 92.44 72.62 35.56 -- -- 1.75 Rosita P BE 278.79 0 89.36 148.74 40.07 0.62 6.7 4.48 1.25 Rumba R NH 256.92 0 17.11 146.03 75.85 17.93 -- -- 1.25 37 Copra Y JU 223.97 0 18.87 165.57 34.37 5.16 10.6 6.12 1.50 Western Giant Y SK 223.83 0 73.72 90.92 11.93 47.27 -- -- 1.50 Mars R JU 197.26 0 54.58 115.67 23.64 3.37 -- -- 1.00 Superstar W JU 177.97 0 47.97 69.29 32.81 37.48 -- -- 1.75 XON 550Y Y SK 156.74 5.11 38.40 29.09 17.61 18.70 -- -- 1.75 Mt. Whitney W SK 58.05 0 16.30 23.89 9.83 8.02 -- -- 2.00 XON 670W W SK 58.05 0 47.97 10.07 0.00 0.00 7.6 4.83 2.00 Sequoia Y NH 27.05 0 2.47 14.46 5.54 4.58 -- -- 2.00 Lsd=0.05 117.95 6.69 104.20 85.33 37.87 30.07 0.96

14 to 4.5 inches in diameter. 23 to 4 inches in diameter. 32 to 3 inches in diameter. 41 to 2 inches in diameter. 5Micromoles/liter. Influence of Tillage and Herbicides in Onion Field Data — Year 2

Sarah Gegner, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Walt Albus, Collin Auwarter North Dakota State University and Oakes Research Extension Center
Objectives The main objective for this research is to evaluate the potential for strip tillage in onion production and to understand the influence of strip tillage on factors such as weed seed germination, soil moisture content, soil temperature, and erosion control. In addition, the effect of strip tillage on herbicide efficacy in onion prior to the two-leaf growth stage will be evaluated. Materials and Methods A field experiment was conducted at the North Dakota State University Research Extension Center near Oakes, North Dakota, on an Embden loam soil. The experiment was set up as a strip- block with four replicates. The main plot consisted of a tillage system (strip tillage or conventional tillage); the sub-plots consisted of herbicide treatments. The strips were made in the fall of 2007 (November 20) and again in the spring (April 23, 2008) using a shank type unit; the conventional tillage treatment was Roto-tilled twice in the fall and again on April 23, 2008. Onion variety ‘Teton’ seed (TE) was planted April 23 in double rows at a rate of 285,000 seeds per acre. Plots were 6 feet wide and 17 feet long with 4-foot alleys between each replicate. Herbicides included DCPA (Dacthal), pendimethalin (Prowl H20), oxyfluorfen (Goaltender), and bromoxynil (Buctril). DCPA and pendimethalin were applied as pre-emergence herbicides on May 1; post-emergence applications with reduced rates of oxyfluorfen or bromoxynil (micro- rates) were made at four weekly intervals starting when annual broadleaf weeds reached the cotyledon to first true-leaf stage. The first application was made on May 16. Pre-emerge applications were applied at 10 lbs/acre and 1.5 pt/acre for DCPA and pendimethalin, respectively. Micro-rate applications were applied at 2 oz/acre and 4 oz/acre for oxyfluorfen and bromoxynil, respectively. The entire experiment received a post-emergence application of clethodim (Select) after the onions had reached the two-leaf growth stage and an application of dimethenamid-P (Outlook) when onions were at the five-leaf stage, to help minimize late-season weeds. Best management practices were used for fertility, irrigation, disease, and insect control throughout the entire experiment. Herbicide effectiveness was evaluated through weed counts using a square foot area in the center of each plot. Visual ratings were taken seven days after the fourth micro-rate application to also evaluate weed control. A scale of 0-100 percent control was used, where 0 equaled no control and 100 equaled complete control. Annual broadleaf weeds of most concern were common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and hairy nightshade. Weed counts were taken seven days after each herbicide micro-rate application. Temperature and moisture probes were installed May 15 at a depth of 2 inches. The probes took temperature and moisture readings every 60 minutes throughout the season. Probes were installed in the row of the conventionally tilled plots and in the row as well as in the strip (between the row) of the strip-tilled plots.

38 Plots were hand harvested on September 24 and were allowed to dry until September 30. Onion bulbs were graded according to USDA standards into four classes: small (1-2
inches), medium (2
-3 inches), large (3-4 inches), and colossal (4+ inches). Total marketable yield includes grades medium and large. Results Micro-rate herbicide applications made prior to the two-leaf growth stage did not injure onions during establishment (data not shown). Volumetric water content is highest between rows in the strip-tilled plots. This is due to the extra residue found within the “inter-row” area, which acts as an insulation above the soil, holding moisture in. Water content is lowest in the row of the strip- tilled plots. The conventional tilled volumetric water content of the soil is a little above the strip- tilled “in row.” See Graph 1. Temperature was coolest under the residue cover found in the “inter-row” area of the strip-tilled plots. A misconception of a strip-tilled system is that the soil does not warm up as fast as in a conventionally tilled system. However, Graph 2 proves that strip-tilled soil warms up just as much as conventionally tilled soil within the row/strip. Hairy nightshade was more of a problem in the plots treated with DCPA. Weed pressure was higher in the conventionally tilled plots than in the strip-tilled plots. See Graphs 3 and 4. Common lambsquarters was highest in the conventional oxyfluorfen plots. Overall, weeds were a little more prevalent in the strip-tilled plots vs. the conventionally tilled plots. See Graphs 5 and 6. There was little to no redroot pigweed pressure in all treatments (data not shown). Total marketable onion yield grade did vary between tillage system and herbicide but generally was only numerically higher with the strip tillage and herbicide treatment for the various onion grades. Noticeable exceptions occurred with onions graded between 1-2
inch diameters (grade small), where the conventional-tillage and herbicide treatment numerically yielded higher than its corresponding herbicide treatment in strip tillage. The yield grade kg/ha for each tillage and herbicide treatment are illustrated in Table 1. A cool, wet year is not favorable for a strip tillage system. However, the data shown here, illustrate that even in a cool, wet year strip tillage does not significantly decrease yield of onion compared to a conventionally tilled system.

39 Graph 1. Volumetric water content averaged across reps from May 26 to June 7. (Legend found in Graph 2).

Graph 2. Temperature averaged across reps from May 26 to June 7.

40 Graph 3. Hairy Nightshade weed counts in strip tillage averaged across reps.

Graph 4. Hairy Nightshade weed counts in conventional tlllage averaged across reps.

Graph 5. Common lambsquarters weed counts in strip tillage averaged across reps.

41 Graph 6. Common lambsquarters weed counts in conventional tillage averaged across reps.

Table 1. Effect of tillage and herbicide on onion grade/yield. Onion yield: kg/ha Tillage Herbicide Grade: Grade: Grade: Total Colossal Small Med Large Marketable

Strip Prowl H20 4,664 20,918 26,964 404 47,881 Conv Prowl H20 8,100 20,451 23,914 0 44,365 Strip Dacthal 6,261 24,963 24,165 457 49,128 Conv Dacthal 7,795 24,317 25,367 0 49,684 Strip Goaltender 8,414 23,412 15,428 0 38,840 Conv Goaltender 10,073 20,532 7,858 0 28,390 Strip Buctril 7,723 21,609 21,483 888 43,092 Conv Buctril 10,145 22,174 21,618 0 43,791

42 2008 Sweet Spanish Onion Variety Trial

M. D. Orzolek Dept. of Horticulture The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802

Plot Size: Four-row bed 6.0 feet long with 6 x 6 inch spacing — 48 plants/rep. Transplanting Date: April 22, 2008. Production System: Raised bed with green IRT plastic mulch and two rows of drip tape — high flow 0.45 gal./min./100 ft at 12-inch orifice spacing. Herbicide Application: One post-emergence application of Chateau at 1.0 oz./A. Fungicide: None Insecticide: One application of Spintor at 5.0 oz./A for onion thrip control on July 6, 2008. Also injected Root Power at 2.0 pts./A plus Molybdenum at 0.5 pts./A on July 6, 2008.

Fertility: Broadcast and incorporated 80 lbs./A-N, 60 lbs./A-P2O5, and 120 lbs./A-K2O prior to making raised beds. Applied through the drip irrigation system 20 gallons of Total Feed (12-0-1) from May 6 through May 27 on a weekly basis. Harvest Date: July 25 through August 1, 2008. Drying: Bulbs from individual plots were placed in 100-pound potato burlap bags and placed on benches in a 30-foot x 96-foot high tunnel covered with two layers of row over for seven days. Date Graded: August 5 through 12, 2008. Design: Randomized Complete Block with three replications. Lab Analysis: Sent 10 bulb samples of all onion varieties to Waters Agricultural Lab, Camilla, GA on September 16, 2008 for soluble sugar and pyruvic acid analysis. Varieties Seed Source Bulb Color

1. Candy* SW yellow 2. Condor* AT yellow 3. NMSU 07-33-3 New Mexico State U. yellow 4. NMSU 07-33-4 New Mexico State U yellow 5. NMSU 05-52-2 New Mexico State U yellow 6. NMSU 05-52-4 New Mexico State U yellow 7. NMSU 07-32-3 New Mexico State U yellow 8. NMSU 07-52-2 New Mexico State U yellow 9. NMSU 07-32-4 New Mexico State U yellow 10. NMSU 06-33 New Mexico State U yellow 11. NMSU 07-35-3 New Mexico State U yellow

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43 Varieties Seed Source Bulb Color

12. Expression* SW yellow 13. Exacta* SM yellow 14. T-433* AT yellow 15. T-439 AT yellow 16. Medallion* SK yellow 17. Ovation* SK yellow 18. Arcero NH/NU yellow 19. Vaquero NH/NU yellow 20. Cimarron NH/NU yellow 21. Granero NH/NU yellow 22. Joaquin NH/NU yellow 23. Montero NH/NU yellow 24. Pandero NH/NU yellow 25. Sabroso NH/NU yellow 26. Sequoia NH/NU yellow 27. Evolution DP yellow 28. Generation X DP yellow 29. Mesquite DP yellow 30. Tequila DP yellow 31. Menarchos SM yellow 32. XON 3027 SM yellow 33. XON 670W SM white 34. Rosita SW pink 35. Tropeana BC red

Results Growing conditions in 2008 were less than ideal for sweet Spanish onions grown on raised beds with plastic mulch and two rows of drip tape compared to the last four growing seasons — cool and dry. Varieties were transplanted in late April, about three weeks earlier than normal. In 2008, onion transplant tops were cut and maintained at a 4-inch plant height in the greenhouse prior to transplanting in the field. Onions were irrigated at least twice a week for three to four hours per application. No herbicide was applied to the field since the dominant weed present after transplanting onions was volunteer buckwheat. As the onions grew larger, especially in June, significant grass and a few broadleaf weeds were growing between and in the rows of onions. The entire field of onions was hand weeded the week of June 2, 2008. The highest marketable onion bulb yield (more than 25 T/A) was obtained from the following varieties: Exacta, Montero, Cimarron, Expression, and Candy (current sweet Spanish onion standard in Pennsylvania, Table 1). The pungency ratings for the onion varieties in 2008 were remarkably low, all below 3.4 mM of pyruvic acid which correlates to a mild sweet onion flavor

44 (Table 2). The average pyruvic acid value for all 35 varieties in 2008 was 1.94 and soluble sugars of 6.37. The highest soluble sugar level was recorded in Tropeana, a red variety. In 2008, Exacta, Cimarron, Expression, and Candy produced the highest percentage of large/jumbo onion bulbs that were 3.0 inches in diameter or larger. XON 670W was the only white onion variety evaluated in the 2008 trial. XON 670W has beautifully white skins and a round to oblong shape. Marketable yield of this variety was lower than Candy, with similar soluble solids and pungency levels. Of the New Mexico State University entries evaluated in 2008, NMSU 7-32-3 produced the highest marketable yield, and largest bulb size of the nine entries evaluated. Table 1. The marketable yields of 35 Spanish onion varieties evaluated at the Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA — 2008. % Non- Total MKT1 Avg. Bulb.2 % Large3 Variety MKT Yield T/A wt. oz.

Candy 26.8 15.0 89.4 2.1 Condor 24.4 13.9 76.3 5.8 Expression 26.3 14.5 90.2 0.6 Ovation 24.0 13.2 72.1 2.1 XON 3027 24.6 13.6 67.9 2.7 Joaquin 23.3 13.3 78.6 2.2 Cimarron 26.9 14.8 89.0 1.5 T-433 24.7 13.6 61.0 9.8 T-439 24.5 13.5 70.2 3.5 Montero 25.3 13.9 62.5 22.9 Manarchos 22.1 12.5 71.6 2.8 Tequila 19.2 10.6 44.4 6.9 Pondero 22.0 12.1 57.7 10.2 Granero 21.1 11.6 49.9 6.9 Evolution 19.1 10.8 40.6 7.1 Generation X 18.2 10.6 42.3 6.6 Vaquero 22.8 12.8 69.6 4.9 Arcero 20.3 11.6 57.7 7.1 Mesquite 18.3 10.3 41.2 12.8 Sabroso 20.3 11.2 37.1 6.3 Exacta 25.3 14.5 87.7 2.1 Sequoia 18.6 10.4 59.1 1.5 XON 670W 20.8 12.2 57.8 3.8 Rosita (pink bulb) 21.6 12.1 66.2 2.7 Tropeana (red bulb) 16.6 9.1 36.0 2.7

Continued on next page

45 Table 1 (continued) % Non- Total MKT1 Avg. Bulb.2 % Large3 Variety MKT Yield T/A wt. oz.

NMSU 05-52-4 24.8 13.7 74.2 6.3 NMSU 06-33 22.6 13.2 77.3 2.9 NMSU 07-32-3 24.0 13.2 81.3 4.2 NMSU 07-33-3 21.7 12.4 70.6 0.0 NMSU 07-32-4 23.6 13.2 74.0 2.7 NMSU 07-35-3 21.6 12.1 57.0 3.6 NMSU 07-52-2 21.1 11.9 72.8 2.1 NMSU 07-33-4 22.1 12.5 73.5 2.8 NMSU 05-52-2 22.0 12.2 67.9 1.5 Medallion 24.3 13.5 76.8 0.6 1The total marketable yield is based on an onion population of 50,000 plants/A including jumbo and colossal bulb sizes. 2The average bulb weight in pounds included all bulbs greater than 2.5 inches in diameter 3The percent large bulbs included all onion bulbs greater than 3.0 inches in diameter.

Table 2. The soluble solids and pungency ratings of 35 Spanish onion varieties evaluated at the Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA — 2008. % Marketable % Soluble1 Variety Pungency2 Bulbs3 Solids 10 Weeks in Storage

Candy 7.1 1.7 35.3 Condor 7.2 1.9 76.6 Expression 5.0 1.6 75.5 Ovation 6.1 1.9 61.4 XON 3027 5.6 1.6 71.4 Joaquin 6.9 2.2 89.8 Cimarron 6.1 1.6 66.7 T-433 4.9 1.3 61.4 T-439 7.0 2.0 87.0 Montero 8.0 1.4 92.7 Monarchos 5.7 1.8 88.6 Tequila 7.1 2.7 69.4 Pondero 7.5 1.6 74.5 Granero 6.5 2.3 94.0

Continued on next page

46 Table 2 (continued) % Marketable % Soluble1 Variety Pungency2 Bulbs3 Solids 10 Weeks in Storage

Evolution 5.5 1.1 87.7 Generation X 6.4 1.8 84.9 Vaquero 6.0 1.5 98.0 Arcero 6.6 1.8 92.6 Mesquite 5.4 2.2 88.2 Sabroso 7.7 1.9 90.9 Exacta 5.8 2.2 52.5 Sequoia 6.0 3.4 63.9 XON 670W 6.4 1.7 9.1 Rosita 6.8 1.8 73.6 Tropeana 8.6 2.6 90.4 NMSU 05-52-4 6.1 1.7 37.5 NMSU 06-33 6.3 1.1 42.2 NMSU 07-32-3 6.1 2.2 80.4 NMSU 07-33-3 6.0 2.2 72.2 NMSU 07-32-4 7.0 2.3 67.4 NMSU 07-35-3 6.5 2.3 80.5 NMSU 07-52-2 5.5 2.2 78.4 NMSU 07-33-4 6.2 2.6 71.7 NMSU 05-52-2 5.7 2.1 70.3 Medallion 5.5 1.5 62.5 1The percent soluble solids as measured by Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Camilla, GA. 2Pungency was measured by determining the pyruvic acid content of the bulb by Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Camilla, GA. Onions may be classified as to pungency according to the following scheme: • very mild sweet onion: 1-4 mmoles pyruvic acid/kg weight of bulbs • mild sweet onion: 5-7 mmoles • intermediate pungency: 8-10 mmoles • pungent: 11-15 mmoles • very pungent: >15 mmoles 3All varieties were stored in 40-pound cardboard onion boxes containing 34-73 bulbs per variety (avg. 47) based on bulb size in a potato storage for 10 weeks with an average daily temperature of 48°-50°F.

47 Evaluation of Bell Peppers for Resistance to Phytophthora Blight (Phytophthora capsici)

M. Babadoost, A. Jurgens Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801

Pepper is an important vegetable grown throughout Illinois. Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is one of the important diseases of peppers, particularly bell pepper cultivars. Yield losses up to 100% occur in commercial pepper fields. The objective of this study was to evaluate reaction of selected bell pepper cultivars to P. capsici in the field. Materials and Methods Ten bell pepper cultivars, Alliance, Aristotle XR3, California Wonder, Declaration, King Arthur, Paladin, Polaris, Revolution, Snapper F1, and 9941819 SVR (Table 1) were tested for resistance to Phytophthora blight. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse. Six-week old seedlings were kept outside the greenhouse for six days, and then transplanted in a commercial field near Bradley (Kankakee county), Illinois, on 10 May. The field was naturally infested with P. capsici. The soil was a silt clay loam with pH 6.5. Soil was deep-tilled in October 2007 after tomato crop was harvested and was disked on 8 May, 2008. Raised beds with drip irrigation and black plastic mulch were prepared on 9 May, 2008. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized block design with four replications. Seedlings (10/plot) were planted in one straight row with plants spaced 18 inches apart within rows centered 6 feet apart. Weeds were controlled by hand weeding. Plants received 0.3 inch of water every week or as needed through the drip. Recorded precipitation in the area was 12 days (2.60 inches) during 10-31 May, 12 days (1.86 inches) in June, 12 days (2.84 inches) in July, 7 days (1.81 inches) in August, and 5 days (3.41 inches) during 1-8 September. Average monthly high and low temperatures (°F) were 66/44, 81/59, 81/59, 79/56, and 74/55, during 10-31 May, June, July, August, and 1-14 September, respectively. The percent plants wilted or dead was determined on 19 and 26 May; 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 June; 7, 14, 21, and 28 July; 4, 11, 18, and 25 August; and 1 and 8 September. Data were analyzed using the LSD test. Results and Discussion Phytophthora lesions were observed on the crowns and at the bases of stems beginning seven days after transplanting the seedlings. Symptomatic plants gradually wilted and died. A significantly higher percentage of plants of cultivar California Wonder, a susceptible pepper to P. capsici, were lost during the season (Table 1). In cultivars Aristotle XR3, Declaration, Paladin, Revolution, and Snapper F1, 90% or more of the plants were asymptomatic at the end of the season. The percentage of asymptomatic plants of cultivars Declaration (97.50%) was the highest at the end of the season. Average weight of marketable fruit ranged from 11.46 pounds (California Wonder) to 27.90 pounds (Aristotle XR3) per plot (Table 1). Marketable fruit weight of cultivars Aristotle XR3, Paladin, Polaris, and Snapper F1 were more than 26 pounds per plot. Total yield and marketable yield of cultivar California Wonder was significantly lower than those of other cultivars, except cultivar 9941819 SVR.

48 Table 1. Reaction of bell pepper cultivars to Phytophthora capsici in field in Illinois in 2008. Plant Stand (%)y Fruit Yield/Plot Seed Total Marketable Cultivar Source 10 9 30 21 11 8 z Weight Weight May June June July August September Number Number (lb) (lb)

Alliance HM 100 100 ax 100 a 97.50 ab 95.00 a 85.00 abc 79.00 a 28.17 a 68.75 a 25.26 a Aristotle XR3 SM 100 100 a 100 a 100 a 97.50 a 95.00 ab 75.25 a 29.91 a 67.00 a 27.90 a California Wonder ST 100 97.50 ab 92.50 b 85.00 c 72.50 b 60.00 c 43.75 c 12.60 b 38.25 c 11.46 c Declaration HM 100 100 a 100 a 100 a 97.50 a 97.50 a 77.75 a 27.46 a 68.00 a 24.96 a King Arthur SM 100 100 a 97.50 ab 87.50 bc 82.50 ab 70.00 abc 62.50 abc 21.22 ab 58.75 ab 20.19 ab Paladin SY/RG 100 97.50 ab 97.50 ab 95.00 abc 95.00 a 90.00 ab 82.00 a 29.31 a 70.75 a 26.35 a Polaris WN 100 97.50 ab 97.50 ab 97.50 ab 90.00 ab 82.50 abc 75.00ab 29.59 a 66.00 a 27.18 a Revolution HM 100 95.00 b 95.00 ab 95.00 abc 95.00 a 95.00 ab 80.00 a 29.78 a 68.50 a 25.57 a Snapper F1 EZ 100 100 a 97.50 ab 97.50 ab 97.50 a 92.50 ab 78.00 a 27.72 a 74.25 a 26.61 a 9941819 SVR SM 100 100 a 100 a 92.50 abc 72.50 b 67.50 bc 52.75 bc 17.82 b 43.50 bc 15.12 bc 49 LSD (P=0.05) NS 4.75 6.85 10.79 17.79 28.40 22.28 9.30 20.16 8.47 z HM = Harris Moran; SM = Seminis; ST = Stokes; SY/RG = Syngenta, Rogers Brands; EZ = Enza Zaden; WN = Western. y Symptomless plants. x Values within each column followed with the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05) from each other according to Fisher’s protected LSD test. Effects of Rye Cover Crop on Strip-Till Pumpkin Production in Northern Illinois

Maurice Ogutu, University of Illinois Extension, Countryside, Illinois 60525

This paper reports the evaluation of rye cover crop seeding rates and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on yield and quality of jack-o’-lantern pumpkin fruits in a 2008 trial in northern Illinois. Materials and Methods The experiment was carried out at St. Charles Horticulture Research Center, St. Charles, Illinois, between October 3, 2007 and October 10, 2008. Grain rye, Cereale secale, was seeded in a field that was previously under corn on October 3, 2007 at the rates of 90 and 120 pounds (lbs) per acre on 6-foot wide strips and 5-foot wide bare ground left between the strips. Rye height and number of rye stems per 12-square-foot area was assessed between May 5 and 18, 2008. On May 23, 2008, the rye plants, which were at a height of about 4 feet tall (at flowering stage before pollination), were killed by rolling with a tractor drawn “cultimulcher” to form mulch. The strips of bare ground between the rolled areas were tilled on June 13, 2008 using a rototiller. Three main plot treatments comprised of rye at seeding rates of 90 and 120 pounds per acre, and bare ground as control were replicated four times. Each main plot was divided into four sub- plots. Urea fertilizer grade 46-0-0 (Cooperative Plus, Burlington, Wisconsin) was applied on June 16, 2008 in a band and incorporated into the soil on the bare strips between the cover crop rows and on 5-foot-wide strips on control plots. In two sub-plots, nitrogen (N) fertilizer was applied at the rate of 45 pounds N per acre, and in the other two sub-plots at the rate of 90 pounds N per acre. Each sub-plot was 40 feet long, and pumpkin variety ‘Howden’ was direct seeded on a 15-foot row, and ‘Magic Lantern’ in another 15-foot long row with a 10-foot alleyway between the two varieties. The pumpkin seeds were planted 3 feet apart within the row (five plants of each variety per plot). The plots were 20 feet apart and were replicated four times. On June 19, 2008, pumpkin varieties ‘Magic Lantern’ and ‘Howden’ seeds were planted using a “Jab Planter.” Immediately after plant emergence, two sets of tensiometers (Irrometer Company, Riverside, California) were installed at 12 and 18 inches depths, respectively to monitor soil moisture status. The readings were taken weekly during the growing season. Weed control in bare ground (control) plots was achieved by using Strategy® herbicide (Ethalfluralin and Clomazone, United Agricultural Products; Platte Chemical Company, Greeley, Colorado) applied pre-emergence at the rate of 6 pints per ac-1. Sandea® herbicide (Halosulfuron- methyl, Gowan Company, Yuma, Arizona) was applied pre-emergence at the rate of
fluid ounce per ac-1 to control redroot pigweed and other weeds. Weed control on strip-tilled plots was done by applying the same rates of herbicides mentioned above on the bare strips between rye mulch. Weeds that emerged on mulched areas were hand hoed once. Insect pest and disease control was done based on recommendations in the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. Aboveground weed biomass samples were taken between the rows covered with rye mulch on August 11, 2008 (about six weeks after planting). The emerged weeds such as lambsquarters, pigweed, velvetleaf, black nightshade, grass, and others were sampled using a 1-square foot

50 quadrat. The plants within the quadrat were cut, sorted out, labeled, put in paper bags, and dried until a constant weight was achieved. Plant tissue nitrogen status was monitored using a Cardy Sap Meter (Spectrum Technologies, Inc., Plainfield, Illinois) on August 18, 2008 and September 3, 2008 (at seven and nine weeks after emergence of pumpkin seedlings, respectively). The samples were taken according to instructions in the Cardy Sap Meter manual. Mature (orange) pumpkin fruits harvested on October 9 and 10, 2008, and then were counted and weighed. In each plot, the numbers of fruits with surfaces covered with soil was recorded. The fruits with spots that may have been due to bacterial or fungal infection were counted and their number recorded. The rotten pumpkin fruits in each treatment were recorded as well. The data was analyzed using SAS PROC GLM (SAS software Version 8e, SAS Institute Cary, North Carolina). Results and Discussion Rye plant height above ground was measured with a 36-inch ruler. Rye growth was very rapid within the month of May with average heights of 17 inches on May 5, to more than 40 inches prior to rolling on May 23 (Table 1). Rye seeded at the rates of 120 lbs per acre had denser stands, with 2,800 stems per 12-square-foot area than rye plots seeded at 90 lbs per acre, with 2,300 stems per 12-square-foot area, but there was no significant difference on May 15 and 19 sampling dates (Table 1). The emergence of weeds depended on the site’s weed seed population and the thickness of the rye mulch. Weeds started emerging in the rolled area early but some common weeds such as redroot pigweed and black nightshade were very few on the mulched areas. The field was previously under corn and soybean rotation, which might have led to a reduction in the seed bank of redroot pigweed and black nightshade. There were no significant differences in the dry weights of lambsquarters, Canada thistle, Conyza canadensis, velvetleaf, or the grass between the mulched areas in plots where rye was seeded at the rates of 120 lbs and 90 lbs per acre (Table 2). Weeds in mulched areas were hand hoed once. The tilled strips in plots with rye mulch were hand weeded once by pulling out a few weeds before the pumpkins vined out. Petiole sap nitrate was analyzed at seven weeks after emergence (7 WAE) and at nine weeks after emergence (9 WAE) on fully expanded mature leaves using a Cardy Sap Meter. At seven weeks after emergence, pumpkin plants in control plots had seven times more petiole sap nitrate than plants in strip-tilled plots. The ‘Magic Lantern’ variety had significantly higher petiole sap nitrate in plots where nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the rate of 90 lbs N per acre (213 ppm) than in plots where nitrogen was applied at 45 lbs N per acre (150 ppm). A similar trend was observed nine weeks after emergence with higher in control than in strip-tilled plots for both varieties, with the highest variation between control and strip-tilled plots in ‘Howden.’ There was no significant difference between plots where nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the rates of 45 and 90 lbs N per acre at nine weeks after emergence in both varieties (Table 3). There were significantly higher fruit numbers and weights in strip-tilled plots than there were in control plots. The ‘Magic Lantern’ variety had a higher number of fruit and greater weight per acre than the ‘Howden’ variety. Nitrogen application rates did not affect the yield of both varieties. The average size of orange fruits was 1-4 lbs higher in control plots than in strip-tilled plots. Nitrogen application rates did not affect fruit sizes (Table 4). Clean pumpkin fruit is a very important quality characteristic in pumpkin production, as the growers will spend less time cleaning the fruits, and less fruit rot. Pumpkin fruits were assessed

51 for cleanliness by ranking the fruit surface area covered with soil (30% or more surface covered with soil is graded as dirty). There was a significantly higher percentage of dirty fruits in control plots (more than 60%) than in strip tilled plots (less than 17%) (Table 5). There was no significant difference in percentage of dirty fruits between plots with rye mulch. The fruits were also assessed for any spots on the fruit (bacterial spot infection or any other condition that can predispose the fruit to rot). Fruits in control plots had significantly more spots (more than 27%) than strip-tilled plots (less than 17%). The ‘Magic Lantern’ variety from plots where nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the rate of 90 lbs N per acre had more fruits with spots (22%) than fruits from plots with 45 lbs N per acre (14%) (Table 5). Pumpkin fruit rots were greater in control plots than in strip-tilled plots at harvest. In control plots, the incidence was more than 20% in ‘Howden,’ and less than 9% in ‘Magic Lantern.’ The fruit rot incidence was about 2% in strip-tilled plots. The nitrogen fertilizer application rates of 45 and 90 lbs N per acre did not significantly affect fruit rot in either variety (Table 5). A similar trial will be conducted again next year to evaluate the effects of rye cover crop fruit cleanliness, and disease management on pumpkin production. Table 1. Average aboveground rye cover crop height and stems per 12-square-foot area in 2008. Sampling Dates Treatment May 5 May 15 May 19 Height above ground (inches): Rye 90 17.3a 33.8a 44.5a Rye 120 17.0a 33.2a 43.0a No. of stems per 12-ft2 area: Rye 90 2,356b 3,882a 3,882a Rye 120 2,859a 4,248a 4,248a Numbers followed by the same superscripts are not significantly different at P
0.05.

Table 2. Weed counts and dry weights (LBS) per 12-square-foot area on August 11, 2008. Weed Count and Dry Weight per 12-SquareFoot Area Weeds Rye 90 Rye 120 Counts Dry Weight Counts Dry Weight Redroot pigweed ------Black nightshade ------Lambsquarters 2.3a 0.19a 1.1a 0.10a Conyza canadensis 0.9a 0.03a 0.5a 0.02a Velvetleaf 0.2a 0.00a 0.0a 0.00a Canada thistle 0.5a 0.01a 0.7a 0.04a Grass -- 0.20a -- 0.40a Numbers followed by the same superscripts are not significantly different at P
0.05.

52 Table 3. The effects of strip tillage, plastic mulch, and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on petiole sap N-nitrate at seven and nine weeks after emergence (WAE) in 2008. ‘Howden’ ‘Magic Lantern’ Treatments N Rates/ac Nitrate-N in parts per million (PPM) 7WAP 9WAP 7WAP 9WAP Control 299a 1465a 310a 1850a Rye 90 42b 40b 110b 108b Rye 120 23b 35b 124b 361b 45 LB N 107a 547a 150b 719a 90 LB N 136a 480a 213a 827a Numbers followed by the same superscripts are not significantly different at P
0.05.

Table 4. The effects of strip tillage and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on pumpkin fruit number, weight, and weight per fruit in 2008. ‘Howden’ ‘Magic Lantern’ Treatments N rates/ac Number per acre

Number of fruits: Control 1,407b 1,746b Rye 90 1,951a 2,450a Rye 120 1,838ab 2,609a 45 LB N 1,777a 2,314a 90 LB N 1,686a 2,223a Tons per acre

Weight of fruits: Control 16.6b 19.3b Rye 90 19.8ab 22.4ab Rye 120 21.7a 24.2a 45 LB N 19.6a 22.5a 90 LB N 19.1a 21.4a Average weight (LBS/fruit)

Fruit size: Control 24a 22a Rye 90 20b 19b Rye 120 23a 19b 45 LB N 22a 20a 90 LB N 23a 20a Numbers followed by the same superscripts are not significantly different at P
0.05.

53 Table 5. The effects of strip tillage and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on percent dirty fruits, fruit rots, and bacterial spot incidence on pumpkin fruits in 2008. Treatments N rates/ac ‘Howden’ ‘Magic Lantern’

Dirty Fruits (%): Control 62a 64a Rye 90 16b 16b Rye 120 16b 17b 45 LB N 30a 33a 90 LB N 33a 32a Spots on fruits (%): Control 37a 27a Rye 90 14b 10b Rye 120 15b 17b 45 LB N 19a 14b 90 LB N 25a 22a Fruit rots (%): Control 22a 8.8a Rye 90 2b 1.8a Rye 120 2b 0.9a 45 LB N 6a 1.2a 90 LB N 12a 6.4a Numbers followed by the same superscripts are not significantly different at P
0.05. Acknowledgements This material is based on work funded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture Conservation 2000 Grant Program under Award Number SA 08-35. I thank Bill Shoemaker, Vernon Johnson, Barbara Bates, Kane County Master Gardeners, and the staff at St. Charles Horticulture Research Center for providing support.

54 Pumpkin Variety Performance With and Without Treatment for Powdery Mildew in Northern Indiana, 2008

Elizabeth T. Maynard, Purdue University, Westville, IN 46391

Introduction Pumpkins for decorative use are grown on more than 4000 acres in Indiana. Combined acreage in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio represents about a quarter of pumpkins grown for decorative use in the U.S. Successful pumpkin production requires the use of cultivars that yield well and produce pumpkins of the size, shape, color, and quality demanded by the market. Genetic resistance to the fungal disease powdery mildew is present in some varieties. This trial was designed to evaluate performance of pumpkin varieties in northern Indiana with and without treatment for powdery mildew. The trial included twelve jack-o-lantern size pumpkins, two small or pie pumpkins, and one mini-pumpkin. Also reported are yield and fruit characteristics for seven additional varieties grown in unreplicated plots. Materials and Methods The trial was conducted at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana. Treatments were arranged in a split plot design with powdery mildew treatment (yes or no) as the main plot, and variety as the subplot. Treatments were replicated three times in blocks. Subplots were 36 feet long by 21 feet wide. Main plots were 105 feet wide and included three tiers of five subplots each, separated by 15-foot alleys. The soil was a Tracy sandy loam with 1.5% organic matter and 32 ppm phosphorus (P), 92 ppm potassium (K), 155 ppm magnesium (Mg), 600 ppm calcium (Ca), and pH 6.2. The prior crop was soybeans (in 2007) followed by a cover crop of winter wheat. A total of 80 lb./A N was applied; half from urea broadcast on May 7, and the remainder from urea ammonium nitrate injected on July 14. Pumpkins were planted on June 12 using a modified John Deere Maximerge 7000 planter and dropping seeds by hand into the seed tube. Each pumpkin cultivar was planted in six subplots 36 feet long and 21 feet wide with two rows spaced 7 feet 4 inches apart. Weeds were controlled with the preemergence herbicide Strategy® (ethalfluralin+clomazone), which was applied at 4 oz./A on June 12, and by cultivation, hoeing, and hand weeding. Overhead irrigation was applied on June 16 to incorporate herbicide and during the season as needed. Pumpkins were thinned to achieve the desired stand of 24 plants per plot for jack-o-lantern pumpkins (1383 plants/A), and 48 plants per plot for pie and mini-pumpkins (2766 plants/A). The insecticide Arctic® 3.2 EC was applied at 4 oz./A on July 18, July 24, and August 1 for squash vine borer; and Mustang® was applied at 4 oz./A on August 29 for squash bug. Main plots assigned to receive treatment for powdery mildew were treated as follows: Topsin M® at 0.5 lb./A and Bravo Ultrex® at 1.4 lb./A. on July 18 and August 15; Nova® at 2.5-4 oz./A and Bravo Ultrex® at 1.4 lb./A on August 1 and 22. All plots were protected against downy mildew with applications of Previcur Flex® at 1.2 pt./A on July 11, August 15, and August 29; and Ranman® at 2.1 oz./A on July 18, August 1, and August 22. Downy mildew did not appear in the area until the end of September.

55 Powdery mildew severity was evaluated on August 30 by estimating percent leaf surface covered with powdery mildew on upper and lower surfaces of two young, two middle-aged, and two old leaves per plot. Leaves were evaluated and recorded using the Horsfall-Barratt scale, and the overall severity of disease was rated on a scale from 9 (no disease) to 1 (extremely severe disease). Plant vigor was also rated using a scale of 9 (extremely vigorous) to 1 (very low vigor). On October 13, the percent of foliage still green was estimated (data not shown). Pumpkins were harvested September 3-8 and October 3. Harvested fruit were graded into marketable orange (rind at least one-half orange), marketable green (full size and starting to turn but less than one- half orange), and cull. Number and weight of pumpkins in each group were recorded and used to calculate average fruit size and percent of total yield in each category. On September 11, pumpkins from one replication were evaluated for color, shape, suture depth, peduncle length and width, uniformity, and overall quality. On this date and on October 6 peduncle health was rated for five orange pumpkins per plot, using a scale of 5(solid throughout length) to 1 (collapsed and disintegrating over half the length). Yield and yield components were analyzed separately for jack-o-lanterns, pie pumpkins, and the mini-pumpkin. Disease and vine vigor were analyzed for all varieties combined. Analyses of variance were used to test for main effects and interactions when appropriate, followed by mean separation using Fisher’s protected least significant difference. Horsfall-Barratt ratings were converted to percentages and then transformed to stabilize variances before analysis. Means of untransformed percentages are presented. Peduncle ratings did not meet assumptions for analysis of variance, so treatment means and standard errors are presented. In an area adjacent to the replicated trial, seven varieties were planted in single plots as an observation trial. They were seeded on June 17 and managed similarly to the replicated trial, with all plots receiving fungicide applications for powdery mildew. Results and Discussion The growing season was cool and dry until September, except for a 5.2-inch rain in early August. Temperatures averaged 1.7, 1.8, and 2.3 degrees below normal for June 12-30, July, and August, respectively, and growing degree days for the period were 151 below normal. September averaged 0.8 degrees above normal, and rainfall totaled more than 12 inches, most falling in a three-day period the second week of September. Powdery Mildew Severity and Vine Vigor Powdery mildew leaf coverage on August 30 averaged 10% in plots that received fungicide treatments and 44% in plots that did not (Table 1). Varieties differed in resistance to powdery mildew, with more differences apparent in untreated plots, although rankings of the varieties were generally similar in treated and untreated plots. In treated plots, Camaro and HSR 4710 had the lowest amount of powdery mildew at 1%, but did not have significantly less than Gladiator, Warlock, Magic Wand, HSR 4721, Gold Speck, or HSR 4709. In untreated plots, Camaro, Warlock and Gladiator had the least amount of powdery mildew at 11%, but did not differ significantly from HSR 4721 or HSR 4710. In the treated plots, varieties showing intermediate resistance included Magic Lantern and Fall Splendor, which had more disease (10%-11%) than Camaro and HSR 4710, but significantly less than Gold Medal and Solid Gold (28%). In untreated plots, varieties showing intermediate resistance included Magic Wand and Gold Speck, both with significantly more disease than Camaro, and less than Magic Lantern. In untreated

56 plots, Magic Lantern and Earlipak (51%-53%) had significantly less disease than Solid Gold, Gold Challenger, Prankster, and Gold Medal (70%-88%). Overall powdery mildew severity ratings averaged 6.5 in treated plots and 4.7 in untreated plots. Vine vigor, which was evaluated on August 30, was not significantly influenced by powdery mildew treatment, averaging 6.3 in treated plots and 5.9 in untreated plots. Varieties that ranked highest for vine vigor included Gold Medal and Camaro, although they were not significantly different from most others in the trial. Varieties with smaller vines included Fall Splendor, HSR 4721, and Earlipak. Yield, Number of Fruit, and Fruit Size Jack-o-lantern pumpkins averaged 19.4 tons per acre of marketable orange fruit in treated plots and 8.2% less, or 17.8 tons per acre, in untreated plots; the difference was marginally significant (P<0.10) (Table 2). The number of marketable orange fruit averaged 2116 per acre and 2025 per acre (4.3% less) for treated and untreated plots, respectively, with no significant difference. Average weight per pumpkin was 18.8 pounds in treated plots and 18.1 pounds in untreated plots, but did not differ significantly. Yield of orange plus green pumpkins was significantly greater in treated plots than in untreated plots (22.0 tons versus 19.0 tons per acre). Similar results were observed for the pie and mini-pumpkin varieties: yield in tons and number per acre tended to be greater in treated plots, and differences were more likely to be significant for tons than for number per acre and for orange plus green fruit than for just orange fruit. If September and October harvests and are considered separately, it is clear that treatment for powdery mildew had little effect on yield or fruit size in the September harvest; had a greater effect on weight, number, and fruit size of orange pumpkins in the second harvest; and had the largest impact on weight and number of green pumpkins in the second harvest (data not shown). It appears that in this trial, powdery mildew was not severe enough to negatively influence set and development of the first fruit. Table 2 presents variety means for treated and untreated plots separately, but the following discussion of yield and fruit size differences among varieties is based on the average of treated and untreated plots for each variety because there was no significant interaction between powdery mildew treatment and variety. The jack-o-lantern pumpkins fell into three groups based on average fruit weight. Seven varieties produced orange fruit averaging 18 to 23 pounds: HSR 4710 (22.9 lb.), Gold Medal (22.3 lb.), HSR 4709 (21.1 lb.), Earlipak (21.1 lb.), Solid Gold (20.3 lb.), Camaro (20.2 lb.), and Warlock (18.8 lb.). For these seven varieties, yield of orange pumpkins ranged from 17.2 to 24.5 tons and 1719 to 2526 fruit per acre. Camaro produced the highest yield of orange pumpkins in tons and number per acre, followed by HSR 4710 which was not significantly lower. HSR 4709 produced tons per acre similar to HSR 4710, and significantly greater than others in this group. Both HSR 4709 and Warlock produced numbers of fruit similar to HSR 4710, and significantly more than Gold Medal, Solid Gold, and Earlipak. Camaro seems to be heavy for its size and Warlock seems to be light for its size. Four jack-o-lanterns produced orange fruit averaging 14 to 17 pounds: Magic Wand (16.7 lb.), Gladiator (16.6. lb.), Gold Challenger (15.8 lb.), and Magic Lantern (14.4 lb.). For these four varieties, yield of orange pumpkins ranged from 14.8 to 17.5 tons and 1719 to 2640 fruit per acre. Of these four varieties, Magic Lantern, Magic Wand, and Gladiator produced similar numbers of orange pumpkins per acre, significantly more than Gold Challenger. Magic Wand

57 produced the highest yield of orange fruit in tons per acre, but not significantly more than Magic Lantern. Gladiator and Gold Challenger produced similar tons per acre, and Gladiator was not significantly different from Magic Lantern. Gladiator was later than other varieties in this group: 23% of all fruit produced was still green at the second harvest, compared to 4% to 13% for other varieties in this size group (data not shown). HSR 4721 produced the smallest fruit of the jack-o-lantern types at 11.2 pounds, but the greatest number of orange fruit at 3659 per acre and yield in the middle of the range at 17.5 tons per acre. The two pie pumpkins were inadvertently grown at different plant populations so yield comparisons are not valid. Average orange fruit weight was 4.5 pounds for Fall Splendor and 3.3 pounds for Prankster. The mini-pumpkin Gold Speck produced 0.4-pound fruit, averaging 30,423 fruit and 5.9 tons per acre. Fruit Quality Observations on fruit shape, color, peduncle length and width, fruit uniformity, and overall fruit appearance are shown in Table 3. Varieties that received above average ratings for fruit uniformity included Camaro, Earlipak, Magic Wand, Magic Lantern, HSR 4721, Fall Splendor, Prankster, and Gold Speck. Varieties with overall appearance ratings above average included Earlipak, Solid Gold, Magic Wand, Magic Lantern, Gladiator, Gold Challenger, Fall Splendor, Prankster, and Gold Speck. Varieties that received peduncle health ratings higher than average in both treated and untreated plots and for both first and second harvests included Gold Medal, Gold Challenger, Warlock, Gladiator, Magic Wand, Fall Splendor, and Gold Speck (Table 1). Varieties that consistently received peduncle health ratings below average included HSR 4709, Magic Lantern, and Earlipak. Observation Trial Results from the unreplicated plots are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Four pie pumpkins were included. Cannonball and Field Trip both produced pumpkins averaging 5 pounds. Cannonball fruit were round and Field Trip fruit were squat with a long stem. Iron Man and Gargoyle produced 4.2- and 4.0-pound fruit, respectively. Gargoyle fruit has occasional warts. Iron Man matured fairly late, with only 18% of all fruit orange by the first harvest. For both Gargoyle and Iron Man, a quarter of the total yield was still green at the second harvest in early October. Galaxy of Stars is a multicolored gourd mix producing 0.3-pound fruit in variations of the Crown of Thorns shape. Colors include orange, cream and green stripes, and sections. SSX 5122 is an oblong jack-o-lantern pumpkin averaging 26.8 pounds that looked promising. Small World of Color Mix is a Cucurbita maxima mix averaging 15.2 pounds, with a variety of colors (including deep orange-red, blue-gray, salmon, cream, and orange-yellow), shapes (from squat to oblong), and surfaces (from smooth to rough). The variety of color and shape makes it an excellent candidate for use in many fall decorations. Summary Several varieties with acceptable yield and fruit quality show little powdery mildew even when not treated with fungicides to protect against the disease. Magic Wand and Gladiator were the most similar in size and color to the widely-grown Magic Lantern, but showed better disease resistance and peduncle quality. Camaro stood out with good disease resistance and high yield; compared to Magic Lantern it is larger and lighter in color. Warlock, also larger than Magic

58 Lantern, also showed good disease resistance and is dark orange; it tends to produce some irregular shapes and the rind is rough and hard, which may reduce suitability for certain markets. Producers are encouraged to evaluate powdery mildew resistant varieties in their operations and adopt those that perform well. Acknowledgments J. Leuck and Pinney-Purdue Ag Center staff, managed field operations. P. Begley, N. Braden, A. Hodge, B. Rhoda, R. Shay, J. Sheets, Master Gardeners, and Morgan H.S. Horticulture Class assisted with field work. Seed companies listed in Table 2 provided financial support and/or seed.

59 Table 1. Powdery mildew severity, vine vigor, and peduncle health for pumpkin varieties grown with (Yes) and without (No) fungicide treatment to protect from powdery mildew, Wanatah, Indiana 2008z.

W Overall Vine Peduncle Health Percent Powdery Powdery Vigor MildewY Variety Mildew RatingX September 17 October 6 RatingX No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes

Gold Medal 70 b 28 ef 2.7 5.3 8.0 7.7 4.9 ± 0.13 4.9 ± 0.13 4.4 ± 0.42 4.8 ± 0.15 Solid Gold 88 a 28 ef 1.7 4.7 5.7 7.3 4.2 ± 0.46 4.5 ± 0.27 2.2 ± 0.56 4.1 ± 0.13 Gold 78 ab 24 fg 2.3 5.3 7.3 6.7 4.3 ± 0.13 4.9 ± 0.07 4.3 ± 0.13 5.0 ± 0.00 Challenger Camaro 11 g 1 m 8.0 8.3 8.3 7.7 3.7 ± 0.13 3.4 ± 0.20 4.4 ± 0.23 4.7 ± 0.13 HSR 4709 46 de 8 ijklm 4.3 6.3 5.3 6.7 3.3 ± 0.13 3.3 ± 0.29 3.6 ± 0.12 3.9 ± 0.29 HSR 4710 22 fg 1 m 6.7 7.0 6.7 6.7 3.5 ± 0.29 3.4 ± 0.20 4.1 ± 0.13 4.6 ± 0.20 HSR 4721 20 fg 4 klm 6.3 7.3 3.7 5.0 3.6 ± 0.46 4.4 ± 0.20 4.7 ± 0.18 4.8 ± 0.12 Warlock 11 g 3 klm 6.7 7.7 6.3 6.0 4.4 ± 0.12 4.5 ± 0.18 4.9 ± 0.07 4.9 ± 0.13 Gladiator 11 g 2 lm 7.0 7.7 6.0 6.0 4.3 ± 0.29 4.2 ± 0.20 4.7 ± 0.24 4.7 ± 0.22 Magic Wand 28 ef 4 klm 6.3 7.7 7.0 7.3 4.6 ± 0.23 4.6 ± 0.12 4.8 ± 0.20 5.0 ± 0.00 Magic 51 cd 10 hijkl 3.7 6.3 5.3 6.7 3.8 ± 0.42 4.2 ± 0.12 3.9 ± 0.58 4.1 ± 0.54 Lantern Earlipak 53 cd 15 fghi 3.3 5.7 5.0 4.7 3.3 ± 0.24 3.5 ± 0.13 3.1 ± 0.44 4.5 ± 0.24 Fall Splendor 65 bc 11 ghijk 3.0 5.7 1.7 3.3 4.6 ± 0.12 5.0 ± 0.00 4.4 ± 0.35 4.9 ± 0.07 Prankster 77 ab 14 fghij 3.0 4.7 5.7 5.3 4.9 ± 0.13 4.7 ± 0.18 3.6 ± 0.43 4.9 ± 0.07 Gold Speck 27 f 5 jklm 5.7 7.3 7.0 7.0 5.0 ± 0.00 5.0 ± 0.00 4.7 ± 0.18 4.9 ± 0.07 Average 44* 10 4.7** 6.5 5.9 6.3 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.6 LSD .05v 1.1 1.1 1.7 1.7 zValues are means of three replications. * and ** indicate significant difference between mean of treated and untreated plots at P
.05 and .01, respectively. yPercentage of leaf surface covered with powdery mildew on August 30 based on two young, two middle-aged, and two old leaves per plot. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P
.05 according to Fisher’s protected LSD. xOverall powdery mldew severity in each plot rated August 30on a scale of 1-9, with 1=extremely severe powdery mildew and 9=no powdery mildew. Vine vigor rated on August 30 using a 1-9 scale, with 1=very low vigor and 9=extremely high vigor. wPeduncle health rating for five orange fruit per plot on September 11 and October 6 using a 1 to 5 scale, with 5=peduncle solid throughout length; 4=peduncle pliable up to a third of its length; 3=peduncle pliable for more than than half its length, but not shriveled; 2=peduncle pliable and shriveled for most of its length; 1=peduncle collapsed and disintegrating over most of length. Mean ± standard error. vMeans within a column differing by more than this amount are significantly different at P
.05 according to Fisher’s protected LSD.

60 Table 2. Average fruit weight, number of fruit, and yield of pumpkin varieties grown with (Yes) and without (No) fungicide treatment to protect from powdery mildew, Wanatah, Indiana 2008z.

x Marketable Orange and Green Marketable Orange Fruit x Seed Fruit Variety Stand Sourcey Plants/A No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Lb./frt. No./A Tons/A No./A Tons/A

Jack-o-lanterns Camaro HL 1229 19.3 21.1 2497 2362 24.0 25.0 2650 2401 25.3 25.3 Earlipak SK 1383 21.3 20.8 1575 1690 16.8 17.6 1594 1844 16.9 18.6 Gladiator HM 1383 16.4 16.8 1729 1921 14.1 15.9 2190 2574 17.5 21.2 Gold Challenger RU 1373 15.5 16.1 1882 1863 14.6 15.0 1921 2017 14.8 16.1 Gold Medal RU 1383 22.4 22.3 1652 1825 18.5 20.3 1652 2055 18.5 22.2 HSR 4709 HL 1383 19.6 22.6 2036 2132 19.7 24.1 2074 2324 20.1 25.9 HSR 4710 HL 1383 23.2 22.6 1844 2132 21.3 24.0 2074 2574 23.4 29.2 HSR 4721 HL 1316 10.7 11.6 2958 3323 15.8 19.1 3342 3976 18.1 23.3 Magic Lantern HM 1383 14.5 14.2 2382 2401 17.3 17.1 2497 2785 18.0 19.9 Magic Wand HM 1383 16.1 17.4 2170 2017 17.4 17.5 2343 2535 18.4 21.3 Solid Gold RU 1383 19.7 20.8 1594 1901 15.7 19.8 1594 1959 15.7 20.2 Warlock HM 1383 18.7 18.9 1978 1825 18.5 17.2 2228 2190 20.8 21.2 Average 18.1 18.8 2025 2116 17.8† 19.4 2180 2436 19.0* 22.0 LSD .05w 2.6 2.6 321 321 3.1 3.1 400 400 4.3 4.3

Pie Pumpkins Fall Splendor HM 1383 4.4 4.7 3995 4110 8.7 9.6 4053 4417 8.8 10.4 Prankster RU 2766 3.3 3.2 5397 6453 8.9 10.4 5416 6492 8.9 10.4 Average 3.8 4.0 4696 5282 8.8† 10.0 4734† 5455 8.9* 10.4

Mini-pumpkin 24546 Gold Speck RU 2103 0.41 0.38 36300 4.9* 6.9 (no green fruit) †

Observation Trial Cannonball HM 1268 – 5.0 – 3688 – 9.2 – 4264 – 10.4 Field Trip HM 1383 – 5.0 – 5359 – 13.3 – 5359 – 13.3 Galaxy of Stars RU 1383 – 0.3 – 47709 – 7.9 – 47709 – 7.9 Gargoyle HM 1383 – 4.0 – 3976 – 8.0 – 5128 – 10.5 Iron Man HM 1383 – 4.2 – 4379 – 9.2 – 5877 – 12.4 Small World of Color Mix RU 1383 – 14.6 – 2305 – 16.9 – 2305 – 16.9 SSX 5122 SK 1152 – 26.8 – 1498 – 20.1 – 1901 – 24.5 zValues are means of three replications, except for observation trial, which was unreplicated. † and * indicate significant difference between mean of treated and untreated plots at P
.10 and .05, respectively. – no data. yHM=Harris Moran, HL=Hollar, RU=Rupp, SK=Sakata. xMarketable orange fruit includes all firm fruit at least one-half orange. Marketable orange and green includes all firm fruit of mature size and starting to turn orange by October 6. wJack-o-lantern variety means within a column differing by more than this amount are significantly different at P
.05 according to Fisher’s protected LSD.

61 Table 3. Fruit characteristics of pumpkins grown in Wanatah, Indiana 2008.z

Peduncle w Variety Colorw Shapew Suturesw Uniformw Overallw Length Width

Replicated Trial Camaro L R S 5.0 4.0 6.5 5.5 Earlipak M-D S M 6.5 4.5 7.0 7.0 Fall Splendor M R M 5.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 Gladiator D R M 5.5 5.5 6.0 6.0 Gold Medal M S-T M 4.5 6.5 3.0 4.5 Gold Challenger D R-O M-D 6.5 5.5 6.0 6.0 Gold Speck L S D 8.0 2.0 7.0 7.0 HSR 4709 L V S-D 4.0 4.5 4.0 4.0 HSR 4710 L R-O M 4.0 4.5 6.0 5.0 HSR 4721 L R-O S 5.5 5.0 6.5 4.5 Magic Lantern D R S-M 4.5 4.0 6.5 6.5 Magic Wand M-D S-R M-D 5.0 5.0 7.0 7.0 Prankster M S M 4.0 6.5 7.0 6.0 Solid Gold M R-O S 7.0 6.5 6.0 6.5 Warlock D S-O S-D 4.0 6.0 5.0 5.5 Observation Trial Cannon Ball1626 D R M 5 6 8 8 Field Trip M S M-D 9 5 7 8 Galaxy of Stars MT V V 9 2 2 8 Gargoyle M R M 6 6 7 7 Iron Man M R M 5 6 7 7 Small World of Color Mix MT S-O S-M 3 2 1 8 SSX 5122 D O M 5 6 7 8 zObservations for replicated trial made on September 11 from one plot not treated for powdery mildew and one plot treated for powdery mildew, otherwise one plot per variety. wFruit color: D=dark, M=medium, L=light orange, MT=multi-colored. Shape: S=squat, R=round, O=oblong, V=variable. Sutures: S=shallow, M=medium, D=deep. Peduncle length and width, fruit uniformity, and overall fruit quality rated on a 1-9 scale, with 2=short/thin/ peduncle, non-uniform, poor quality; 5=average; 8=extra long/extra thick/dark green solid peduncle, very uniform, high quality.

62 Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Tolerance in Pumpkin in Central Kentucky

Timothy Coolong, Department of Horticulture and Kenneth Seebold, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky

Introduction Powdery mildew is a serious disease of cucurbits in Kentucky. The effects of powdery mildew in pumpkins can be devastating, as hot and dry conditions in summer and early fall are generally favorable for outbreaks that can be quite severe. Large outbreaks of powdery mildew can destroy foliage resulting in plants that are unable to support large fruit loads, thus reducing yields. In addition, powdery mildew can spread from the stem and foliage of pumpkin plants to the handles, compromising keeping quality and resulting in unmarketable fruit. For these reasons, pumpkin growers must rely on regularly scheduled fungicide sprays to reduce damage from powdery mildew. The cost of fungicide programs can be relatively high depending on the materials used and the number of times they are applied. In addition, many seed companies offer a number of pumpkin varieties with varying amounts resistance to powdery mildew. When used in combination with fungicide sprays, these varieties enable growers to effectively control powdery mildew on pumpkins. Growers may be able to reduce the number of fungicide sprays required for adequate control of powdery mildew, along with the associated expense, if they choose a variety with high resistance to powdery mildew compared to a variety with minimal resistance. Also, effective disease control can be achieved with less expensive protectant fungicides if varieties with good resistance to powdery mildew are planted. To gain a better understanding of the inherent resistance to powdery mildew in commercially available and experimental pumpkins, 24 varieties of medium and large pumpkins with at least some resistance to powdery mildew were tested without fungicide sprays to determine the level of resistance in each when subjected to high disease pressure. Four pumpkin varieties without any reported powdery mildew resistance were included as positive controls. Materials and Methods Pumpkins were direct seeded into bare-ground raised beds on June 6. Beds were spaced on 12- foot centers and plants were seeded at 4-foot within row spacing. Four seeds were placed in each hole (hill) and later thinned to two plants per hill. Each plot consisted of eight plants (four hills) and plots were separated by 12 feet within rows. Drip irrigation tape was placed on the surface of each bed to provide supplemental water. Approximately 50 lb N/A was incorporated preplant using ammonium nitrate. Plants were watered as needed during growth. After seedling establishment, plants were fertigated weekly with ammonium nitrate at a rate of 10 lb/A until mid-August, such that the total (preplant + fertigation) N application for the season was 110 lb/A. Based on soil tests, no additional phosphorous or potassium fertility was necessary. Weed Control Plots were sprayed using recommended rates (ID-36), with a combination of Command (clomazone) and Curbit (ethalfluralin) herbicides between rows shortly after plant emergence to

63 control weed growth. Plots were spot-sprayed with Paraquat (gramoxone) herbicide to control some weeds near plants. Rows were hand-cultivated as needed after vines began to run. Fungicide Sprays No fungicides were used during this study. Insecticide Sprays Admire (imidacloprid) was applied to the soil surrounding seeds at the time of seeding for control of cucumber beetles. Capture (bifenthrin) was applied at approximately 10 and 12 weeks after seeding to control squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Plants were routinely monitored for the presence of powdery mildew after seedling emergence. The first signs of powdery mildew infection were detected on July 28. Subsequently, powdery mildew evaluations were conducted weekly beginning August 6, and concluded on August 22. Plants were evaluated using a 0-5 scale where 0=no symptoms, 1=1%, 2=10%, 3=30%, 4=60%, and 5=100% of the upper and lower canopy with symptoms of powdery mildew. Ratings for each plot were converted to percent diseased leaf area using the following transformation: 1.5625 - (5.625*x) + (5.0625*x2 ), where x = assigned rating. Stems were evaluated for powdery mildew at harvest using the same 0-5 scale; however, data were not transformed to percent diseased area. Fruit were harvested on September 8. Fruit were counted and weighed, and unmarketable fruit were culled. Yields and fruit per acre were based on an estimated plant population of 1,800 plants per acre. Fruit color was assessed using Royal Horticultural Society color chips from the “greyed-orange” group. Stem quality was also assessed at this time. Stem quality was evaluated on a scale of 1 (best)-5 (poor). Stem quality was composed of an aggregate of traits including: stem color, thickness, attachment, and overall attractiveness. Results and Discussion Yield and Quality Yield and quality of all of the varieties tested were likely affected by the high levels of powdery mildew present in this study. However, the following results demonstrate the relative performance of one variety compared to another when grown under high powdery mildew pressure. Conestoga Giant, Super Herc, Dependable, and Summit all had an average fruit weight of more than 20 pounds (Table 1). This is expected, as all are marketed as larger fruited pumpkins. Of these larger pumpkins, Summit and Super Herc had the highest marketable yields per acre (Table 2). Merlin, a medium size pumpkin (13.7 lb/fruit), had the greatest marketable yields. This was primarily due to the large number of fruit per acre (3,600) that it produced. Magic Lantern, a very popular variety in Kentucky, is another medium (14.2 lb/fruit) sized pumpkin that yielded well, produced a low number of culls, and had moderate powdery mildew resistance. Other noteworthy varieties were Gladiator and Warlock. Both varieties had good yields, a relatively low percentage of culls, excellent dark orange color, and high quality stems, in addition to displaying moderate resistance to powdery mildew. Some fruit from Warlock can be a little “warty” which may or may not be suitable for some markets. Other varieties that yielded well and had a moderate-high level of resistance to powdery mildew (see below) included HSR4710 and Camaro. Camaro and HSR4720 produced medium/large

64 fruit, 17.2 and 20.3 lbs/fruit, respectively, had excellent resistance to powdery mildew, and had good stem ratings. The colors of both pumpkins however were a pale yellow-orange, in contrast to a more typical medium orange color of a Howden type pumpkin. Powdery Mildew Resistance The varieties tested in the study showed varying levels of resistance to powdery mildew, ranging from none to moderate-high (Table 3). At the earliest evaluation (August 6), eight varieties, including Camaro, HSR 4710, Gladiator, Warlock, and Magic Wand, had 20% or less of total leaf area (diseased leaf area, or DLA) affected by powdery mildew. By the final evaluation (August 22), all varieties had 50% or more DLA; Camaro showed 59% DLA, making it the variety with the greatest resistance to powdery mildew in the trial. Seasonlong severity of powdery mildew, determined by calculating the area under disease progress curves (AUDPC) for each variety, was lowest for Camaro, HSR 4710, HSR 4721, Gladiator, and Warlock. Varieties such as Checkmate, ACX 7301, ACX 7302, ACX 6501, Dependable, Howden, and King Midas showed the least resistance to powdery mildew in the trial. Severity of powdery mildew on pumpkin stems appeared to be linked to foliar disease severity. In general, varieties with greater resistance to powdery mildew on foliage tended to have less powdery mildew on stems than varieties with lower foliar resistance to the disease. For many of the pumpkin varieties tested, our results appear to agree with the resistance ratings reported by seed companies. For example, varieties reported to be “highly resistant” (Camaro, HSR 4710, HSR 4721, Gladiator) ranked as the most resistant in our trial. Varieties reported to have intermediate resistance, however, showed a wide range of powdery mildew resistance in the current study that ranged from moderate-high (Warlock, Magic Lantern) to low (Hannibal, King Midas). One variety, Hannibal, was described as “moderately tolerant” to powdery mildew, but performed no better than completely susceptible varieties. Those varieties reported to be completely susceptible to powdery mildew, for the most part, tended to have the highest severity of disease in this trial. These results demonstrate the variability between advertised and actual resistance to powdery mildew in the varieties that were evaluated. It is important to remember that disease pressure will be different between years and locations, and our findings represent a single trial in a high-pressure year. Variety performance could be better or worse, depending on disease pressure, but the relative rankings between varieties would not be expected to change greatly. Our results suggest that there are varieties with good yields and moderate levels of powdery mildew resistance. Growing these varieties might enable a grower to reduce fungicide inputs and associated costs while still producing good marketable yields of pumpkins.

65 Table 1. Seed source, predicted days to harvest, average fruit weight, stem ratings, and color evaluations for 28 varieties of pumpkins grown in Lexington, KY in 20081. Seed Avg. Fruit Stem Rating Color Variety Color Source2 Wt. (lbs) (1-5)3 (RHC Code)4

Conestoga Giant SI 23.2 a 3.2 bcde medium orange N163B Super Herc. HM 23.2 a 1.3 h medium orange N163B Dependable AC 22.1 ab 3.3 abcd yellow orange N163C Summit OUT 20.8 abc 2.3 defg medium orange N163B HSR 4710 HL 20.3 abcd 3.3 abcd yellow orange N163C Aladdin HM 19.5 bcd 3.7 ab medium orange N163B Checkmate OUT 19.5 bcd 2.0 fgh medium orange N163B King Midas SI 18.8 bcde 3.3 abcd medium orange N163B Camaro HL/SW 17.2 cdef 2.6 cdef yellow orange N163C Spartan SW 17.0 def 2.3 efgh dark orange N172B Howden SW 16.8 def 2.8 bcdef medium orange N163B medium orange ACX7302 AC 15.5 efg 3.7 ab N172C (variable) ACX6501 AC 15.2 fgh 3.5 abc yellow orange N163C Warlock HM 15.1 fgh 2.3 efgh dark orange N172B 20 Karat Gold RU 14.6 fgh 2.8 bcdef medium orange N163B Hannibal SI 14.3 fghi 3.0 bcde medium deep orange N172C Magic Lantern HM 14.2 fghi 2.3 efgh medium deep orange N172C Sorcerer HM 14.1 fghij 2.9 bcdef medium orange N163B Gladiator HM 14.1 fghij 1.7 gh dark orange N172B ACX7301 AC 13.9 fghij 3.6 ab medium orange N163B Superior OUT 13.9 fghij 3.1 bcde medium orange N163B Merlin HM 13.7 fghij 2.8 bcdef medium orange N163B Magic Wand HM 13.2 ghij 1.6 gh medium deep orange N172C Charisma JS 11.7 hijk 3.5 abc yellow orange N163C Magician HM 11.7 hijk 3.0 bcde medium deep orange N172C Capital OUT 11.0 ijk 2.9 bcdef medium orange N163B Pankow’s Field H 10.6 jk 4.1 a yellow orange N163C HSR4721 HL 9.5 k 3.2 bcde yellow orange N163C 1Means in the same column followed by different letters were significantly different at P<0.05. 2Seed sources found in Appendix A. 3Stem rating (1=best, 5=worst). Stem ratings based on stem color, architecture, thickness and attachment, and overall attractiveness. 4Royal Horticulture Society (RHC) color chip codes were used to objectively identify colors of the pumpkins. The predominant color chip matching each variety is listed. Both chips were part of the “Greyed-Orange” Group.

66 Table 2. Total yield, fruit per acre, marketable yield, marketable fruit per acre, and percentage of culls for 28 medium-large size pumpkins grown in Lexington, KY in 2008. Varieties are ordered based on marketable yield (highest to lowest)1. Marketable Total Yield Marketable Culls Variety Avg. No Fruit/A Yield (cwt/A)2 Yield (Fruit/A) (%)3 (cwt/A)

Merlin 483 a 3600 ab 461 a 3375 a 5.7 defg Magic 473 ab 3450 abc 447 a 3150 ab 5.3 efg Lantern HSR4721 293 de 3225 abcd 291 bcde 3150 ab 2.0 fg Gladiator 423 abcd 3000 abcdef 423 ab 3000 abc 0.0 g Capital 320 cde 2925 abcdefg 298 bcde 2700 abcd 6.2 defg Warlock 398 abcd 2643 cdefghi 385 abc 2531 bcde 4.0 egf Magic Wand 338 bcde 2588 cdefghi 327 abcd 2475 bcdef 3.0 efg Superior 435 abcd 3543 ab 330 abcd 2419 bcdefg 23.2 abcde Sorcerer 418 abcd 3318 abc 337 abcd 2363 cdefg 20.5 abcdef ACX6501 480 ab 3675 a 349 abcd 2325 cdefgh 27.7 abc Magician 328 cde 3038 abcde 258 cde 2138 cdefghi 24.0 abcde Summit 477 ab 2400 defghi 424 ab 2025 defghij 12.3 bcdefg ACX7301 440 abc 3600 ab 275 cde 1969 defghij 37.8 a 20 Karat 307 cde 2325 efghi 280 cde 1950 defghijk 8.3 cdefg Gold HSR 4710 405 abcd 2193 fghi 379 abc 1913 efghijk 4.8 efg Charisma 305 cde 2868 abcdefg 223 de 1913 efghijk 26.8 abcd Camaro 315 cde 1856 i 301 bcd 1744 fghijk 5.0 efg ACX7302 393 abcd 2775 bcdefgh 268 cde 1725 fghijk 31.0 ab Spartan 338 bcde 2138 fghi 286 bcde 1688 ghijk 14.8 bcdefg Howden 303 cde 1875 i 257 cde 1575 hijk 12.7 bcdefg Pankow’s 198 e 2081 ghi 156 e 1519 ijk 21.2 abcdef Field Super Herc. 423 abcd 1950 hi 351 abcd 1500 ijk 17.7 abcdefg Aladdin 350 abcd 1875 i 292 bcde 1500 ijk 16.7 abcdefg Hannibal 310 cde 2250 efghi 220 de 1500 ijk 31.0 a Dependable 440 abc 2306 efghi 302 bcd 1463 ijk 28.5 abc King Midas 417 abcd 2625 cdefghi 266 cde 1425 ijk 30.3 ab Checkmate 340 abcde 1912 hi 248 cde 1294 jk 29.0 abc Conestoga 410 abcd 1875 i 275 cde 1200 k 17.0 abcdefg Giant 1Means in the same column followed by different letters were significantly different at P<0.05. 2cwt/A=100 lb weight/acre, based on a plant population of 1,800 plants per acre. 3% cull based on weight of nonmarketable pumpkins/total yield of pumpkins.

67 Table 3. Severity of powdery mildew on 28 medium-large size pumpkins grown in Lexington, KY in 2008. Varieties are ordered based on overall disease severity (lowest to highest). Overall PM Stem Powdery Mildew (PM) Severity2 PM1 Severity Rating Variety Res. % DLA % DLA % DLA (AUDPC)3 (0-5)4 (8/6/08) (8/15/08) (8/22/08)

Camaro HR 7.1 k5 22.1 i 58.6 g 463.8 n 1.25 k HSR 4710 HR 9.8 k 38.5 h 75.1 ef 683.4 m 1.75 jk HSR4721 HR 14.2 jk 39.7 gh 71.1 f 729.7 lm 1.75 jk Gladiator HR 17.3 hij 35.1 h 74.2 ef 739.8 klm 1.25 k Warlock IR 11.6 ijk 52.5 fg 81.9 de 840.6 jkl 1.50 jk Magic Wand IR 19.0 hi 52.3 fg 86.3 cd 938.6 ijk 1.75 jk Magician IR 16.6 hij 66.9 def 89.1 bcd 1,038.7 hij 1.75 jk Superior IR 20.3 gh 61.7 ef 94.7 abc 1,058.9 g-j 1.50 jk Magic Lantern IR 23.4 gh 66.6 b-f 96.6 abc 1,139.9 ghi 1.75 jk Summit IR 29.4 gh 63.1 fg 89.9 a-d 1,157.1 hij 1.63 jk Capital IR 34.6 efg 62.4 c-f 94.0 abc 1,225.9 fgh 1.88 ijk Spartan IR 29.9 fg 82.6 a-d 100 a 1,355.0 efg 2.13 hij Aladdin IR 38.6 def 83.0 abc 100 a 1,457.6 def 1.88 ijk Merlin IR 41.3 def 80.5 a-e 100 a 1,469.3 def 1.88 ijk Charisma IR 44.3 b-f 80.4 a-e 100 a 1,502.4 def 1.75 jk Super Herc. IR 55.9 a-e 76.7 a-e 97.3 ab 1,597.0 cde 2.50 ghi 20 Karat Gold IR 41.9 c-f 98.6 a 97.3 ab 1,611.5 b-e 3.25 c-f Sorcerer NR 51.0 a-e 93.3 a 99.3 a 1,680.9 a-e 2.75 fgh Conestoga Giant IR 56.4 a-e 86.2 ab 99.3 a 1,686.3 a-e 2.50 ghi Hannibal IR 55.0 a-e 89.9 a 97.3 ab 1,692.7 a-e 3.88 abc King Midas IR 57.3 a-e 100 a 100 a 1,809.4 a-d 3.0 d-g Howden NR 69.3 a-d 93.5 a 100 a 1,894.8 a-d 3.50 a-e Pankow’s Field NR 74.1 ab 93.4 a 100 a 1,949.2 abc 4.0 ab ACX6501 UN 69.9 abc 100 a 100 a 1,953.7 abc 3.63 a-d Dependable MT 79.5 a 97.4 a 100 a 2,042.7 ab 3.38 b-f ACX7302 UN 83.9 a 92.1 a 98.6 a 2,047.6 ab 3.63 a-d ACX7301 UN 83.0 a 94.6 a 99.3 a 2,059.0 ab 4.13 a Checkmate NR 83.5 a 97.4 a 100 a 2,089.2 a 2.88 efg 1Reported resistance to powdery mildew (PM) according to seed company sources. UN=unknown, NR=no resistance, MT=mild tolerance, IR=intermediate resistance, and HR=high resistance. 2Severity of powdery mildew assessed as the percentage of diseased leaf area (DLA). 3Overall (seasonlong) severity of powdery mildew as determined by the area under disease progress curves (AUDPC) calculated from severity ratings taken on August 6, 15, and 22. 4Severity of powdery mildew on stems evaluated at harvest using a 0-5 scale, where 0=no disease, 1=1%, 2=10%, 3=30%, 4=6%, and 5=100% of stem area diseased. 5Means in the same column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly as determined by Fisher’s protected LSD test (P
0.05). Statistics for foliar disease severity were calculated on arcsin- transformed means; non-transformed means are reported in the table.

68 Pumpkin Cultivar Evaluation in Ohio, 2008

Bob Precheur, Jim Jasinski, Mac Riedel, Landon Rhodes, and Gretchen Sutton Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science, Southwest Extension IPM, Department of Plant Pathology, Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.

Introduction Pumpkins are the third largest fresh market vegetable in Ohio with nearly 7,000 acres in production. Pumpkins account for 10 to 40 % of annual gross income for some vegetable producers. It is important for our producers to use cultivars that consistently produce high yields of quality fruit. Of equal importance is the need to incorporate new cultivars into the program that provide good disease tolerance in order to reduce pesticide input and production costs while maintaining high quality. This project was supported in part by a research grant from the Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program. Methods Twenty-four cultivars were evaluated at the OARDC Western branch in South Charleston, Ohio. Prior to planting, 100 lbs/A of actual N, P2O5 and K2O was applied. All plots were transplanted on June 10. All transplants were germinated in 5 x 3.5 cm Elle pots 10 days prior to transplanting. Admire, for cucumber beetle and bacterial wilt control, was applied to the seedlings two days prior to transplanting. Plots were 30 feet long with 15 feet between rows and 4 feet between plants in the row. Strategy was applied for weed control pre-planting. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with four replications. Trickle irrigation was available for all plots and was used two times per week from mid- to late July through August. A standard disease control program included the fungicides: Quadris Opti on August 4, and September 12 and 17; Procure + Bravo on August 12 and 26, and September 8; and Quintec on August 19. A boom sprayer with cone nozzles at 40 psi was used for fungicide application. A standard insect control program included Sevin XLR on September 14, 20, and 17 to control beetle feeding on fruit. Fruit were harvested on September 18. Results Cultivars are listed in Table 1 ranked according to fruit size and tons produced per acre. The top five varieties in terms of tons per acre produced were: RPX1626 (17 tons/A), SSX 5120 (15 tons/A), Camaro (15 tons/A), RPX1621 (13 tons/A), and HSC166014 (12 tons/A). Yield was slightly depressed this year from water damage (second wettest June in central Ohio on record) and herbicide damage from sonalan (one component of Strategy) which stunted vine growth early in the season. SSX 5120 produced the largest fruit, averaging 31 lbs and significantly more than all other varieties in the trial. In the 18- to 20-pound fruit size category, the top five were: RPX1621 (20 lb), Solid Gold (19 lb), HSC166014 (19 lb), Camaro (18 lb), and RPX 1626 (18 lb). SSX 5120 is an attractive, large pumpkin that has produced well in two years of the trial. Seed should be available for the 2009 season. RPX 1626 and RPX 1621 are very attractive in the mid- size category. Camaro has very good powdery mildew resistance and slightly smooth skin. HSC144 014 is round to slightly upright with nice ribbing. Moonshine is an attractive and

69 productive white variety producing 6 tons/A with an average fruit size of 6 pounds. Seed, if not available for 2009, should be available for 2010. Powdery mildew tolerance was evaluated twice near the end of the season but only the last evaluation on September 16 is listed in Table 1. The fungicide spray program was effective in controlling powdery mildew on the top leaf surface. Only five varieties showed any evidence of disease on top of the leaves, but less than 5%. The powdery mildew severity on the lower surface (% leaf coverage) ranged from 3% to 57%. Only 11 varieties had a percent severity of 11% or less (see Table 1.). Camaro had the best resistance with only 3% powdery mildew leaf coverage. Downy mildew was observed on five varieties but was not a significant factor this year due to dry weather. In all cases, the percentage of leaf coverage was less than 3%. Microdochium (white speck) was observed at low levels in August but gone in September because of dry weather conditions. All plots had symptoms of virus infection, mostly on the leaves and in several cases on the fruit Individual pictures of each variety, plus comparison views among varieties are available on the VegNet Web site: http://vegnet.osu.edu.

2 70 Table 1. 2008 pumpkin cultivar evaluation, South Charleston, OH. Powdery Marketable Marketable Average Fruit Mildew Microdo- ID # Variety Orange Orange Fruit Size Diameter Severity Source chium2 Fruit/A Tons/A (lbs) (in) (bottom % leaf coverage)1

7 SSX 5120 968 15 31.5 13 10.6 0 SK 14 RPX 1626 1,815 17 18.6 10.7 9.9 0.08 RU 4 Camaro 1,573 15 19 12.4 2.9 0.08 HL 13 RPX 1621 1,307 13 20 12.5 40 0.16 RU 16 Gold Medal 920 10 20.2 12 25.4 0 RU 11 HSC166 014 1,283 12 19 11.8 12.2 0.16 NZ 12 Solid Gold 1,234 12 19 11.3 32.1 0.16 RU 23 Gladiator 1,428 11 16 11.6 6 0.15 HM 8 Hannibal 1,210 10 17 11 47.6 0.08 NZ

71 17 Gold Challenger 1,041 9 17.2 10.4 28.3 0.24 RU 2 ACX 6501 1,549 11 14 10 24.5 0.07 AC 3 ACX 7301 1,428 10 14 10.3 57.2 0.07 AC 20 Magic Wand (HMX6686) 1,718 11 13 10.7 5.6 0.5 HM 15 RPX 1629 1,452 9 12 9.8 12.5 0 RU 5 Earlipac 944 8 16.2 12 20 0.16 SK 21 Warlock 992 7 14 11.4 3.2 0.16 HM 1 ACX 7302 1,137 7 12.3 10.6 41.3 0.08 AC 24 Magic Lantern 1,016 6 12 9.7 20.1 0.25 HM 10 Moonshine (White) 2,275 6.3 6 7.7 23 0.08 NZ 18 Field Trip (HMX6687) 3,751 8 4 7.84 9.5 0.33 HM 22 Canon Ball 2,928 6 4 6.8 7.7 0.3 HM 19 Gargoyle 2,927 6 3.4 6.6 7.2 0.24 HM Continued on next page Table 1 (continued) Powdery Marketable Marketable Average Fruit Mildew Microdo- ID # Variety Orange Orange Fruit Size Diameter Severity Source chium2 Fruit/A Tons/A (lbs) (in) (bottom % leaf coverage)1

6 Fall Splendor 2,372 5 4.3 7.5 10.1 0.16 SK 9 Chucky 3,993 4 2.2 6 10.4 0 NZ LSD 0.05% 646 6.1 4.0 1.2 15.5 0.32 Key To Disease Ratings 1. Powdery mildew: only second rating (September 16) shown. Percentage of leaf area infected on bottom of the leaf. Average of three evaluators, each using three leaves per plot. 2. Microdochium (Plectosporium or white speck): rating score based on foliage, petioles, vines, and fruit. 0=none, 1=low, 2=medium, 5=moderate, 7=high, 10=death.

72

Sweet Corn Hybrid Disease Nursery – 2008

Jerald Pataky, Marty Williams*, Mike Meyer, Bryan Warsaw, and Jim Moody*, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 and USDA-ARS*, Urbana, IL 61801

Sweet corn hybrids have been evaluated for their reactions to prevalent diseases in nurseries at the University of Illinois for 25 consecutive years. In this “Silver Anniversary” edition of the University of Illinois sweet corn disease nursery, we attempted to evaluate as many hybrids as possible among those available commercially in North America. This report summarizes the reactions of 565 sweet corn hybrids to common rust, northern leaf blight (NLB), Stewart’s wilt, maize dwarf mosaic (MDM), southern leaf blight (SLB), and Goss’s wilt based on their performance in the 2008 nursery. The responses of these hybrids to three HPPD-inhibiting, post- emergence herbicides — Callisto (mesotrione), Laudis (tembotrione), and Impact (topramezone) — also were evaluated. Resistance and susceptibility are the two extremes on a continuum of host reactions to diseases. Resistance is a measure of the ability of the host to reduce the growth, reproduction, and/or disease-producing abilities of the pathogen, thus resulting in less severe symptoms of disease. Major genes for resistance, such as Rp1-D, Ht1, or Mdm1, can prevent or substantially limit disease development if specific virulence (i.e., races) is not prevalent in pathogen populations. Hybrids with major gene resistance usually have clearly distinguishable phenotypes. Major gene resistance may be ineffective if specific virulence occurs, such as the Rp1-D-virulent race of the common rust fungus. In the absence of effective major gene resistance, disease reactions often range from partially resistant to susceptible. Hybrids can be grouped into broad classes such as resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderate (M), moderately susceptible (MS), and susceptible (S) based on severity of disease symptoms. This procedure produces statistically “overlapping” groups without clear-cut differences between groups (e.g., the hybrid with least severe symptoms in the MR class does not differ significantly from the hybrid with the most severe symptoms in the R class). Thus, categories of disease reactions are somewhat arbitrary. Nevertheless, a consistent response over several trials produces a reasonable estimate of the disease reaction of a hybrid relative to the response of other hybrids. These reactions can be used to assess the potential for diseases to become severe and affect yield. Certain post-emergence herbicides also can injure some sweet corn hybrids. Responses of sweet corn hybrids to several cytochrome P450-metabolized herbicides have been associated with a mutation in a specific cytochrome P450 gene in corn. Classification of responses to herbicides can help identify hybrids with the greatest risk of herbicide injury. Materials and Methods Hybrids The 2008 nursery included 331 sh2 hybrids, 114 se hybrids, and 120 su hybrids. Hybrids with multiple endosperm mutations were placed in the most appropriate of these three categories. Six hybrids (Coho, GH 5704, Max, Mont Blanc, Morning Star, and Saturn) were duplicated in the trial. Separate entries of those six hybrids are reported and serve as a measure of variability in the

73 trial. Standard hybrids with relatively consistent reactions to common rust, Stewart's wilt, NLB, MDM, and SLB (Table 1) also were included to compare the results of the 2008 nursery to those from previous nurseries. Hybrids known to carry the Rp1-D, Rp1-E, Rp1-I or Rp-G rust resistance genes also were included and aid in the interpretation of responses to different populations of Puccinia sorghi. Table 1. Reactions of sweet corn hybrids included as standards in the 2008 disease nursery.

Stewart’s Wilt Common Rust (races) NLB (race 0) MDM A&B SLB Hybrid Prior 08 Rating Prior avir* D G* Prior 08 Rating Prior 08 Rating Prior 08 Rating

277ª 4 2 2.2 6 7 6 6 5 6 42% 9 9 100% 3 4 3.8 Ambrosia 2 2 1.9 5 6 5 6 5 5 35% 9 9 100% 6 5 4.3 Bonus 1 1 1.1 Rp Rp 5 3 5 5 37% 2 4 30% 7 5 4.3 El Toro 3 2 2.1 Rp Rp 5 5 7 6 41% 2 3 15% 4 3 3.3 Eliminator 2 1 1.6 Rp Rp 7 5 6 7 43% 1 1 0% 6 4 4.0 Garrison 2 2 2.1 Rp Rp Rp Rp 2 2 20% 2 2 3% 3 6 4.8 GH 1829 5 5 3.3 Rp Rp Rp 2 6 7 44% 9 9 100% 6 7 5.3 Jubilee 9 8 4.7 5 5 6 5 8 9 55% 9 9 100% 4 5 4.5 Miracle 1 1 1.6 3 3 5 4 3 4 29% 9 9 100% 3 3 3.5 Sensor 5 4 3.1 4 6 5 5 4 5 33% 9 8 95% 3 4 3.8 Snow White 7 7 4.2 9 9 8 9 7 8 51% 3 5 50% 3 5 4.3 Tuxedo 3 3 2.7 3 4 5 1 2 3 25% 9 9 100% 1 1 2.0 Prior: reaction in previous years (1984-2004). *Note: D-virulent rust was present in all three rust trials. 08: reaction in 2008. 1=resistant, 3=moderately resistant, 5=moderate, 7=moderately susceptible, 9=susceptible. Rating: 2008 mean rating. 1 to 9 for Stewart’s wilt and SLB; 0 to 100% severity of NLB; 0 to 100% incidence of MDM. Experiment Design and Procedures Each trial of a disease or herbicide was a separate experiment with replicates of hybrids arranged in randomized complete blocks. Each rep was split into two main blocks: sh2 hybrids, or su and se hybrids. Each experimental unit was a 12-foot row with about 18 plants per row. Trials were planted in four different fields (Table 6) from May 21 to June 16 on the University of Illinois South Farms and included Stewart’s wilt (3 reps), NLB (3 reps), MDM (3 reps), SLB (2 reps), Goss’s wilt (2 reps), D-rust (2 reps), G-rust (2 reps), and avirulent rust (1 rep). Responses to Callisto (mesotrione), Laudis (tembotrione), and Impact (topramezone) were evaluated from 9, 5 and 4 reps, respectively. Due to excessive rain at planting, some plots were flooded or had poor stands in each trial. Inoculation and Disease Assessment Plants at the 4- to 6-leaf stage were inoculated with Erwinia stewartii (Stewart’s wilt) and Clavibacter michiganense nebraskensis (Goss’s wilt) by wounding leaves in the whorl and introducing bacteria in a 0.1 M saline solution into wounds. For the three foliar fungal diseases, (NLB, SLB, and common rust) spores were sprayed directly into plant whorls from the 3- to 8- leaf stages. Inocula consisted of a mixture of conidia of races 0 and 1 of Exserohilum turcicum, conidia of Bipolaris maydis race O, or urediniospores of one of three isolates of Puccinia sorghi: avirulent on Rp genes (avirulent), Rp1-D-virulent (D-virulent), or Rp-G/Rp1-I/Rp1-E-virulent (G-virulent). Plants were inoculated with Maize dwarf mosaic virus strains A (MDMV) and B (SCMV) at one of three growth stages: 3- to 5-leaf, 5- to 7-leaf, or 7- to 9-leaf stages. A phosphate buffer solution with the viruses was sprayed directly onto leaves using a motorized backpack sprayer.

74 The total number of plants and the number of plants with symptoms of MDM were counted about two weeks after inoculation. Incidence (%) of MDM-infected plants was calculated for each hybrid from totals of all replicates. Symptom severity was rated for each of the other diseases. Stewart's wilt and Goss’s wilt were rated before anthesis using a scale from 1 (symptoms within 2 cm of inoculation wounds) to 9 (severe systemic infection or dead plants). Chlorotic, Rp-resistant reactions were scored in the avirulent rust trial about two weeks after the final inoculation. Percent leaf area infected with common rust and NLB were rated at harvest maturity in all rust and NLB trials. Hybrids with chlorotic NLB-lesions typical of Ht-resistance also were noted. Symptoms of SLB were rated on a 1 to 9 scale (mild to severe). Herbicide Application and Assessment Post-emergence herbicides were applied at twice the registered rates with 1% crop oil concentrate (COC) when the majority of plants ranged from the 4- to 5-leaf stages and were about 8 to 12 inches tall. Herbicide treatments included Callisto at 6.0 oz/A, Impact at 1.5 oz/A, and Laudis at 6.0 oz/A. All fields were treated pre-emergence with metachlor + atrazine. Corn injury was rated visually one and three weeks after application independently using two methods. One method scored each row for percentage of leaf area with bleaching symptoms. The other method classified rows from 1 to 9, where 1= o injury apparent, 5=moderate injury, and 9=severe injury or dead plants. Data Analysis Disease and herbicide injury ratings were analyzed by ANOVA. Hybrid reactions to diseases and herbicides were classified from 1 (highly resistant) to 9 (highly susceptible) according to standard deviations from the mean (z-scores), Bayesian least significant difference (BLSD) separations (k=100), and ranks of standard hybrids. Results and Discussion Symptoms ranged from slight disease to severely infected plants (Table 7). Reactions of standard hybrids to Stewart’s wilt, common rust, NLB, MDM, and SLB were within expected ranges (Table 1). The criteria for classifying hybrid reactions are listed in Table 2. Table 7 includes reactions and disease ratings of 565 hybrids based solely on the 2008 trial. This is the only data we have for some of these hybrids. For hybrids that have been evaluated previously, an assessment of disease reactions based on multiple trials is most representative of hybrid performance. Table 2. Criteria for classifying hybrid reactions to diseases in the 2008 nursery. Classification of Reaction Disease (rating) Resistant Moderately Resistant Moderate Moderately Susceptible Susceptible Rp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rust (%) 0 < 10 < 15 < 20 < 25
30
35
40
45 >45 NLB race 0 (%) < 18
22 < 28 <33 < 38 <4 3 < 48 <55 55 Stewart’s wilt (1-9) < 2
2.3 < 2.7 < 3.3
3.5 < 4 < 4.5 < 5  5 MDM-A&B (%) 0
10
20
30
50 < 70 < 90 < 100 100 SLB (1-9)
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
.5
5.5 < 6  6 Goss’s wilt (1-9) <3 <3.3 <3.6 <3.9 <4.2 <4.5 <4.8
5.2 >5.2 Callisto (%) 0
3
5
10
20
40 >40 Laudis (%) 0  50 See text for description of disease and herbicide assessments.

75 Stewart’s Wilt Stewart’s wilt ratings ranged from 1.1 to 5.6 with a mean of 3. Eighty hybrids that were rated 4.5 or higher (i.e., frequent systemic infection) were classified as moderately susceptible to susceptible (7 to 9). Symptoms of Stewart’s wilt were mild (rated less than 2) on 51 hybrids classified as resistant. An additional 181 hybrids were classified from resistant to moderately resistant. Ten hybrids rated below 1.5 had highly resistant reactions. These included 0875 5821, Bonus, GH 0937A, GG Code 175, GG Code 188, GSS 6550P, Harvest Gold, HMX 8375S, Mirai 350 BC, and QHB 6RH 1074. If Stewart’s wilt infection is non-systemic (i.e., ratings <3), yield is affected minimally. Goss’s Wilt Goss’s wilt ratings ranged from 2.5 to 6.5 with a mean of 4.2. Due to severe flooding in the field in which the Goss’s wilt trial was located, only 374 hybrids were rated for reactions to this disease. Seven hybrids rated below 3 were classified as resistant to Goss’s wilt, including CSAYP6-255, Denali, GG Code 127, GG Code 188, GG Code 212, Maize Dulce BC 503, and Symmetry. An additional 61 hybrids were classified from R to MR. The linear correlation between Goss’s wilt and Stewart’s wilt ratings was only 0.48, which was lower than previously observed correlations between ratings for these two diseases ranging from 0.64 to 0.77. Of 67 hybrids classified R to MR for Goss’s wilt, only two were classified MS to S for Stewart’s wilt; however, among 142 hybrids classified R to MR for Stewart’s wilt, 19 were classified MS to S for Goss’s wilt. Northern Leaf Blight Severity of NLB (% leaf area symptomatic) ranged from 10% to 70% and averaged 38% in the 2008 trial. Most of the lesions on hybrids with the Ht1-gene were chlorotic indicating that race 0 was prevalent in this trial. Therefore, NLB was about a third to a quarter less severe on hybrids with Ht1-resistance than if inocula were an equal mixture of races 0 and 1. Severity was less than 18% on 26 hybrids classified as resistant. An additional 64 hybrids were classified from R to MR with less than 28% leaf area infected. Of the 90 hybrids with the most resistant reactions to NLB, 82 were sh2 and four each were se and su endosperm types. Effects of NLB on yield are minimal when severity is less than 20%. NLB severity was greater than 48% on 168 hybrids classified from MS to S; and 28, 80 and 60 of these hybrids were se, sh2 and su endosperm types, respectively. All but six of the 90 hybrids classified from R to MR for NLB had chlorotic lesions indicative of an Ht gene that conveyed resistance to E. turcicum race 0. Only six of 168 hybrids classified from MS to S had Ht-gene resistant reactions. NLB severity averaged 28% and ranged from 10% to 48% on 179 hybrids with Ht-gene reactions. Severity averaged 42% and ranged from 25% to 70% for 384 hybrids without Ht-gene reactions. Maize Dwarf Mosaic Incidence of MDM-infected plants ranged from 0 to 100% and averaged 80%. Most hybrids (347) were completely susceptible to MDM with 100% symptomatic plants in three replicates. An additional 86 hybrids were classified from MS to S with more than 70% symptomatic plants.

76 These hybrids probably are susceptible but were classified from MS to S because a few plants escaped infection. Hybrids classified from resistant to moderate tended to have differential responses to MDM depending on the growth stage at which they were inoculated. MDM-infected plants were not observed among 22 hybrids classified as resistant. Among 51 hybrids classified from R to MR, incidence of MDM-infected plants ranged from 1% to 20%; however, most of these hybrids had less than 10% symptomatic plants when inoculated at the 7- to 9-leaf stage, while incidence of MDM-infected plants was as high as 30% when plants were inoculated at the 3- to 5-leaf, or 5- to 7-leaf stages. An additional 59 hybrids with 20% to 70% MDM-infected plants were classified from MR to MS. Most of these hybrids had less than 50% MDM-infected plants when inoculated at the 7- to 9-leaf stages; but MDM incidence was above 50% in the replicates in which these hybrids were inoculated at the 3- to 5-leaf or 5- to 7-leaf stages. Most of the 132 hybrids classified from R to M/MS (less than 70% incidence) probably carry the Mdm1 gene although many may be heterozygous for this gene and/or may not carry additional “modifier” genes necessary for complete resistance to MDM. Among the 132 hybrids with R to M reactions to MDM, 99 were main or full season (relative maturity of 4 or 5), 116 had Rp- resistant reactions to the avirulent isolates of common rust, and 74, 53, and 3 were sh2, su, and se endosperm types, respectively. Southern Leaf Blight SLB ratings (1 to 9 scale) ranged from 1 to 6.8 and averaged 4.1. Ratings were 5.5 or above for 50 hybrids classified as MS to S. Only 10 of these 50 hybrids were main or full season maturity (maturity of 4 or 5). One hundred and forty-six hybrids rated from 2.5 to 3.5 were classified from R to MR. Twenty-two hybrids rated 2.5 or below were classified as resistant. Common Rust Reactions to common rust were slightly difficult to interpret because D-virulent isolates of P. sorghi occurred naturally in all rust trials and G-virulent isolates occurred in the avirulent trial late in the season. Two weeks after inoculation with an avirulent isolate of P. sorghi, 48% of the hybrids (274 of 566) had a chlorotic-fleck, Rp-resistant reaction characterized by an absence of pustules. These hybrids appear to carry an Rp-gene for resistance. Conversely, at harvest maturity in the avirulent trial, rust severity ranged from 1% to 30% on many of these 273 Rp- resistant hybrids, indicating the presence of virulent isolates. Reactions of hybrids with known Rp-genes can help explain these results (Table 3). Garrison, which carries the Rp1-D and Rp1-I genes, was resistant in all three trials, indicating that isolates with a combination of virulence against both of these genes were not present. GH 1829 (Rp-G), GH 5704 (Rp1-I) and GH 6198 (Rp1-E) were resistant two weeks after inoculation in the avirulent trial and at harvest maturity in the D-virulent trial. These hybrids had slight amounts of rust (1% to 11%) at harvest maturity in the avirulent trial and were susceptible as expected (12% to 31% rust severity) in the G-virulent trial. Thus, it appears that low levels of G- virulent rust occurred in the avirulent trial later in the season. WH 2801, which carries the Rp1-D gene, was resistant two weeks after inoculation in the avirulent trial and was susceptible (50% severity) in the D-virulent trial as expected. However, in the G-virulent trial and at harvest maturity in the avirulent trial, rust severity was 32% and 16% on this hybrid indicating that D- virulent inoculum was present in both of these trials.

77 Table 3. Reactions of hybrids with known rust genes in trials inoclated with different isolates of Puccinia sorghi. Rust Severity (%) Hybrid (Rp genes) Avirulent D-virulent G-virulent 2 Weeks Harvest Harvest Harvest Garrison (Rp1-D/Rp1-I) 0 0 0 0 GH 1829 (Rp-G) 0 1 0 12 GH 5704 (Rp1-E) 0 11 0 31 GH 6198 (Rp1-I) 0 11 0 25 WH 2801 (Rp1-D) 0 16 50 33 Bold/shaded results were unexpected. Forty-three hybrids were Rp-resistant in all three trials: avirulent, G-virulent, and D-virulent. Similar to Garrison, which is Rp1-D/Rp1-I, these hybrids probably carry the Rp1-D gene that conveys resistance to G-virulent isolates and an Rp gene that conveys resistance to D-virulent isolates (e.g., Rp-G, Rp1-E, or Rp1-I). In some of these hybrids, each inbred parent may contribute a different Rp gene. In other hybrids, one inbred may contribute multiple Rp genes via “compound rust resistance” in which different combinations of Rp genes are closely linked in coupling phase, e.g., Rp1-DGJ, Rp1-JFC or Rp-GFJ. An additional 44 hybrids were Rp-resistant to avirulent and D-virulent isolates, but susceptible to G-virulent isolates. These hybrids probably carry the Rp-G, Rp1-I, or Rp1-E gene similar to GH 1829, GH 5704, or GH 6198. The remaining 187 hybrids were Rp-resistant two weeks after inoculation in the avirulent trial, but rust severity on these hybrids ranged from 17% to 50% in the D-virulent trial and from 3% to 36% in the G-virulent trial. Rust also was observed on all but eight of these hybrids at harvest maturity in the avirulent trial. Similar to WH 2801, these hybrids probably carry the Rp1-D gene. Among the 292 hybrids that were not Rp-resistant, rust severity ranged from 9% to 65%, 16% to 52%, and 7% to 58% in the avirulent, D-virulent, and G-virulent trials, respectively. Only one hybrid, GG Code 74, was rated MR or better in all three trials with an average rust severity of 13% over five replicates. Mean rust severity over all five replicates was less than 20% on five additional hybrids (GG Code 150, Merlin, Nauset, Sugar 73, and Tuxedo) although each of these five hybrids was classified from MR to M in at least one trial. Seventy-one hybrids with an average rust severity of 36% or higher were classified as MS to S in the three trials. Rust has the potential to be very severe on these 71 hybrids. Reactions to Herbicides Injury due to the three HPPD-inhibiting herbicides was assessed based on the amount of leaf area “bleached” (loss of chlorophyll) one and three weeks after application. None of the sweet corn hybrids were injured by Impact (topramezone). Laudis (tembotrione) severely injured three hybrids: DMC 20-38, HMX 8381S, and Merit. These three hybrids and five others (177A, 3175, CSAYP6-225, HMX 6386S, and SVR 0870 5770) also were severely injury by Callisto (mesotrione). Six of these eight hybrids are known to be homozygous for a mutant cytochrome

78 P450 (CYP) allele that conditions sensitivity to several post-emergence herbicides. Callisto mildly injured an additional 87 hybrids (classified from 3 to 6). No symptoms or trace symptoms were observed one week after application on 471 hybrids. Based on previous research, 145 hybrids were known to be homozygous or heterozygous for CYP alleles that condition herbicide sensitivity or tolerance. All six hybrids that were homozygous for the mutant CYP allele conditioning herbicide sensitivity were severely injured by Callisto. None of the 71 hybrids that were homozygous for the CYP allele conditioning tolerance were injured. Of 68 hybrids that were heterozygous for these CYP alleles, 26 were mildly injured (classified 3 to 6) and 42 were not injured. Multiple Disease Resistance One hybrid in the 2008 nursery was rated R to MR for all diseases and herbicides. BSS 1693 was Rp-resistant in all three rust trials, resistant to MDMV A&B, NLB, and Stewart’s wilt; moderately resistant to SLB; and herbicide tolerant. GH 6223 also was R or MR to all diseases and herbicides except for an M/MS reaction to Goss’s wilt. Garrison was R to MR for all diseases and herbicides except for an M/MS reaction to SLB. Maturity, Endosperm Type, and Disease Reactions Resistance to each of the diseases evaluated in these trials was more common among main- and full-season hybrids than among first- and second-early-season hybrids (Table 4). Less than 25% of the early-season hybrids carried an Rp gene for rust resistance whereas nearly 65% of the main- and full-season hybrids had an Rp gene. Among non-Rp hybrids, mean rust severity was about 5% to 10% higher on early-season hybrids than on late-season hybrids. Similarly, only six of 123 early-season hybrids were MDM-resistant while nearly one-third (89 of 286) of the main- and full-season hybrids had some resistance to MDM. For Stewart’s wilt, less than 15% of the early-season hybrids were classified R to MR, while 50% of the main- and full-season hybrids had R to MR reactions. Fewer hybrids were classified as R to MR for NLB than any of the other diseases. Only three of 123 early-season hybrids were MR or better for NLB, and only 22% (64 of 286) of the main- and full-season hybrids were R to MR for NLB. Resistance to rust and MDM was more prevalent among su and sh2 hybrids than among se hybrids (Table 5). Nearly 75% and 50% of su and sh2 hybrids, respectively, had an Rp gene whereas only 10% of se hybrids were Rp-resistant. A few se hybrids had better partial rust resistance than most sweet corn varieties, but only one se hybrid (Bodacious RM) was Rp- resistant to both D-virulent and G-virulent rust isolates. Nearly 40% and 20% of the su and sh2 hybrids, respectively, had some resistance to MDM while only three of 114 se hybrids were MDM resistant. Reactions to Stewart’s wilt appeared to be distributed similarly among su, se and sh2 hybrids with about 40% R to MR hybrids within each endosperm type. About 20% of the sh2 hybrids were R to MR to NLB, but resistance to this disease was relatively uncommon (4 of 234 hybrids) among su and se hybrids. In fact, susceptibility to NLB was common among su and se hybrids as 25% of se hybrids and 50% of su hybrids were classified from MS to S for NLB.

79 Table 4. Number of resistanta hybrids grouped by maturity.

Common Rust Maturityb Stewart's Goss's n D- G- NLB MDM SLB c (scale) avir D+G Wilt Wilt vir vir

First early 41 10 1 9 0 4 1 0 4 1 (1) Second early 82 23 4 20 1 13 2 6 16 5 (2) Mid season 149 65 20 52 7 61 23 25 38 19 (3) Main season 200 127 46 107 25 93 44 54 78 28 (4) Full season 86 52 20 46 14 54 20 35 32 15 (5) aResistance: R to MR for Stewart's, NLB, SLB, or Goss's wilt. Rp or R to MR for rust. R to M for MDM bMaturity: based on information provided by seed companies. cOnly 374 hybrids were evaluated for reactions to Goss's wilt. Table 5. Number of resistanta hybrids grouped by endosperm type.

Common Rust Endosperm Stewart's Goss's n NLB MDM SLB Type D- G- Wilt Wiltb avir D+G vir vir

Sugary 120 91 35 75 19 47 4 48 21 8 Sugary 114 17 7 14 3 43 4 3 52 28 enhancer Shrunken-2 331 169 49 146 25 135 82 69 95 30 aResistance: R to MR for Stewart's, NLB, SLB, or Goss's wilt. Rp or R to MR for rust. R to M for MDM. bOnly 374 hybrids were evaluated for reactions to Goss's wilt.

80 Table 6. Protocol for the 2008 University of Illinois sweet corn hybrid disease nursery. Field and Trial Herbicide Inoculated Rated

M3N (May 23) avirulent rust Callisto June 10, 12, 17, 19, 20 July 10 (Rp), July 31 MDM Callisto June 25, July 1 July 11, 25 Cruse 1000 (May 29) Goss's (2 reps) Laudis June 23, 25 July 17-18 MDM Callisto June 20, 25 July 19 SLB Callisto June 26, 27, 30; July 8, 11 August 4 D-rust Impact June 23, 25, 27; July 1, 3, 8 August 4-5 NLB Impact June 24, 26, 30; July 3, 9, 10 August 5 M7W (June 3) Stewart's (2 Callisto June 30; July 7, 11 July 23-24, Aug 12-13 reps) G-rust (2 reps) Callisto July 2, 9, 14, 16 August 19-20 Cruse 1200 (June 16) Callisto/ NLB (2 reps) July 9, 10, 15, 17, 22 August 20-21 Laudis SLB Impact July 11, 16, 23 August 18 D-rust Impact July 8, 11, 15, 17, 23 August 19 MDM Laudis July 8, 10 July 20, August 15 Stewart's Laudis July 9, 15 July 30, August 14

81 Table 7. Reactions of hybrids in the University of Illinois sweet corn disease nursery - 2008 Common rust Northern Stewart's MDM Southern Goss's avir (+D) D-vir G-vir(+D) leaf blight wilt A & B leaf blight wilt Callisto ET KC RM SDCo Hybrid Rxn % Rxn % Rxn % Rxn % HT Rxn rate Rxn % Rxn Rate Rxn Rate Rxn Sugary and sugar enhancer hybrids su Y 5 Sem 0875 5821 Rp 0 Rp 0 Rp 0 4 32 Ht 1 1.3 1 0 6 4.8 3 3.3 1 su Y 4 Sem 847 5418 Rp 4 5 27 2 12 7 45 2 2.3 8 93 4 4.0 6 4.2 1 su Y 5 Sem A0873 5807 Rp 2 4 22 1 6 5 34 Ht 1 1.9 1 0 7 5.5 3 3.3 1 su Y 5 Sem A0875 7057 Rp 0 Rp 0 Rp 0 6 41 Ht 6 3.6 2 3 5 4.3 7 4.7 1 se B 4 Sem Absolute 5 30 5 29 5 29 5 37 3 2.7 9 100 4 4.0 9 5.5 1 se B 4 MM Accord 7 40 6 32 6 34 4 30 3 2.5 9 100 1 2.5 6 4.3 2 se B 3 Cr Ambrosia 6 33 5 28 6 34 5 35 2 2.0 9 100 5 4.3 2 3.2 1 sesyn B 3 Cr Applause 6 33 5 28 4 21 6 41 4 3.2 9 100 6 4.8 4 3.8 1 se W 4 Cr Argent 5 28 5 25 5 30 4 29 2 2.1 7 88 4 3.8 3 3.5 4 se W 4 MM Augusta 6 33 5 28 6 32 5 34 3 2.6 9 100 4 3.8 3 3.3 1 se+ W 4 Rog Avalon Rp 10 4 23 2 11 6 42 6 3.6 9 100 3 3.3 5 4.0 1 se+ B 4 Rog BC 0805 A Rp 4 5 28 3 17 6 41 7 4.3 9 100 3 3.5 4 3.8 1 se B 3 Rog BC 0808 Rp 2 Rp 0 2 11 8 50 6 3.8 9 100 2 3.0 6 4.2 1 su Y 1 SnRv Bliss Rp 11 8 42 4 23 7 43 2 2.2 9 100 7 5.5 6 4.2 1 se Y 3 Cr Bodacious 5 26 5 29 4 24 6 43 3 2.7 9 100 6 5.0 4 3.8 1 se Y 3 Cr Bodacious R/M Rp 0 Rp 0 Rp 0 8 50 5 3.3 4 26 6 4.8 4 3.8 1 sesyn B 3 Cr Bojangles 6 35 6 33 5 29 6 41 3 2.7 9 100 9 6.0 5 4.0 1 su Y 4 Rog Bold Rp 23 9 49 7 36 4 30 1 1.9 5 39 3 3.3 6 4.3 1 se B 2 MM Bon Apetit TSW 6 33 6 31 6 34 5 37 4 3.0 9 100 6 4.8 7 4.5 1 se B 2 MM Bon Jour TSW 5 28 6 31 6 32 9 55 8 4.6 9 100 7 5.3 9 5.5 1 su Y 4 HM Bonanza 9 55 7 39 6 35 6 39 4 3.1 8 91 4 3.8 8 4.8 3 su Y 5 Rog Bonus Rp 9 5 30 3 19 5 37 Ht 1 1.1 4 30 6 5.0 4 3.7 1 se Y 3 MM Breeders Choice 8 43 7 40 7 37 5 34 3 2.6 9 100 3 3.3 5 4.0 1 se B 4 MM Brocade TSW 7 40 6 32 6 33 4 28 3 2.4 8 97 4 3.8 6 4.2 1 se B 3 MM Buccaneer 8 45 6 35 6 35 6 38 4 3.0 9 100 3 3.3 3 3.3 1 su Y 2 Rog Cahill Rp 5 Rp 0 4 22 7 48 6 3.9 9 100 5 4.3 6 4.3 3 sesyn B 4 Cr Cameo 4 24 5 26 4 24 5 37 1 1.9 9 100 3 3.3 5 4.0 2 su Y 4 SnRv Captain 5 26 5 28 4 24 9 58 4 2.8 9 100 6 4.8 7 4.7 1 se W 4 Cr Captivate 6 33 4 22 5 27 5 35 4 2.9 9 100 3 3.5 4 3.7 1 sesyn W 4 Cr Celestial 6 35 5 27 6 31 4 29 1 1.9 9 100 5 4.3 3 3.5 5 se Y 2 Sem Champ 5 28 6 35 5 26 7 44 7 4.1 9 100 7 5.3 7 4.7 1 se W 2 MM Chantilly TSW 6 33 5 29 6 33 5 37 6 3.6 9 100 2 3.0 5 4.0 1 sesyn B 3 Sdw Charisma 5 25 4 23 4 25 4 33 2 2.1 9 100 9 6.0 3 3.5 1 su Y 2 Sem Chase 6 35 6 33 5 30 6 42 5 3.3 8 96 3 3.5 7 4.5 1 82

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Sugar-enhanced Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation for Northern Indiana, 2008

Elizabeth T. Maynard, Purdue University, Westville, Indiana 46391

Indiana growers harvested sweet corn for fresh market sales from 5,400 acres in 2007, according to the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield was 85 cwt/A (202 crates/A) and the crop had a total value of $10.5 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 12 sugar enhanced and synergistic sweet corn cultivars that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana. Materials and Methods The trial was conducted on a Tracy sandy loam with 1.5% organic matter and 32 ppm phosphorus (P), 92 ppm potassium (K), 155 ppm magnesium (Mg), 600 ppm calcium (Ca), and pH 6.2. It was set up as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cultivars were assigned to individual plots one row (30 inches) wide by 30 feet long. Corn was seeded May 16, 2008, with a finger pick-up planter set to drop 23,200 seeds per acre, and later thinned to 35 plants per 30-foot row (20,328 plants per acre). Nitrogen (N) (at 20.3 lb./A) and P (at 18.2 lb./A P2O5) were applied at planting from 19-17-0 (10 gal. /A), and an additional 70 lb./A N from urea ammonium nitrate solution was injected June 24. Tefluthrin (Force 3G) was applied at planting to control corn rootworms. Weeds were controlled with atrazine (Atrazine 4L) and s- metolachlor (Dual II Magnum) applied after seeding, and by hand weeding. Irrigation was applied to incorporate herbicides, and then during the growing season as needed. Insecticides were applied as needed to control caterpillars. Emergence was recorded 13 and 21 days after planting (DAP), before thinning. Early plant vigor was evaluated 24 DAP. Eighty-two DAP, just before harvest, plant vigor, height, degree of tiller formation, and lodging were evaluated, and the height from the soil to the middle of the ear was measured for three ears per plot. Each plot was harvested when corn reached marketable stage. The total weight and number of marketable ears were recorded. Three ears from each plot were selected to evaluate degree of husk cover, husk tightness, degree of tip fill, overall attractiveness, average ear diameter, length after husking, and shank length. One person rated the flavor of each entry. Rating scales are described below and in footnotes to Table 2. Quantitative data with equal variance across treatments were analyzed using ANOVA followed by mean separation using Fisher’s protected least significant difference at P
0.05. Relationships between yield components, ear and plant characteristics, and average days to harvest were analyzed using linear regression. Characteristic Rating Scale 5=more than 2 inches cover. 4=1.25-2 inches. 3=0.75-1.25 inches. 2=less Husk Cover than 0.75 inch. 1=ear exposed. Husk Tightness 3=tight. 2=firm. 1=loose. 5=kernels filled to tip of cob. 4=less than 0.5 inch unfilled. 3=0.5-1 inch Tip Fill unfilled. 2=more than 1 inch unfilled. 1=more than 2 inches unfilled.

98

Results and Discussion The growing season was drier and cooler than normal. Climate information obtained from the Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue University documented that the last half of May was particularly cool, with an average air temperature of 56°F, which was 6°F below normal. Soil temperature at 4 inches measured within a quarter-mile of the trial averaged 58°F and 62°F the first and second weeks after planting, respectively. From May 16 to August 15, 1640 growing degree days (GDD) accumulated, 177 fewer than normal. Aside from a 5-inch rainfall in early August, precipitation for the period totaled 6.5 inches, about half of normal. Irrigation prevented severe crop stress, but development was slower than normal, particularly early in the season. Emergence 13 and 21 DAP averaged 79% and 91% of the seeding rate, respectively, with significant differences among varieties (Table 1). It is not clear whether differences in emergence are related to genetics of the varieties or to the fact that seed treatments varied among entries — Revelation had no seed treatment. For Revelation and Cameo, low emergence led to final stands of 75% and 89% of the desired population, respectively; other varieties were within 90% of the desired stand after thinning. Differences in early vigor were visually apparent: Revelation and BC 0808 received the lowest ratings and Temptation, Vitality and GH 0851 received the highest ratings (Table 1). At harvest the two earliest varieties, Vitality and HMS 6358BES, were rated as the least vigorous. Mystique, Ambrosia, and Cameo received the highest ratings, although they were not significantly different from five other entries. All varieties tillered, but just two consistently produced long tillers that might interfere with harvest: BC0808 and Cameo. Varieties showed differences in lodging following 5.2 inches of rain on August 4. Valiant, Revelation, Mystique, and HMX 6358BES showed the most severe lodging, and Temptation and GH 0851 showed the least. Results for yield and ear quality are presented in Table 2. Marketable yield averaged 6.7 tons per acre. The top four varieties did not differ significantly in this measure of yield. BC 0808 and GH 0851 both produced 8.5 tons per acre, followed by BC 0805 and Cameo at 8.0 and 7.9 tons per acre, respectively. Ambrosia followed with 7.3 tons per acre, not significantly less than BC 0805 or Cameo, and similar to Kristine at 6.8 tons per acre. Revelation, Vitality, and HMX produced the fewest tons per acre, ranging from 4.7 to 5.4. Temptation, at 6.1 tons per acre, was not significantly higher than HMX 6358BES or lower than Kristine. Valiant and Mystique fell between Kristine and Temptation. The number of marketable ears ranged from 1129 to 1694 dozen per acre, and averaged 1478. Seven varieties produced more than 1460 dozen per acre and did not differ significantly, including GH 0851, BC 0805, BC 0808, Ambrosia, Vitality, HMX 6358BES, and Kristine. Revelation produced the fewest ears per acre. Average weight per ear ranged form 0.57 pound (Vitality) to 0.93 pound (Cameo). Average ear weight and yield in tons per acre were both correlated with days to harvest: later-maturing varieties tended to produce heavier ears and more tons per acre. BC 0808 and Cameo produced ears a little heavier than would be expected based on their harvest dates. Ear length ranged from 6.7 to 8.4 inches, and diameter ranged from 1.8 to 2.1 inches. The longest ears were produced by BC 0808, Mystique, and BC 0805 (8.1 to 8.4 inches). GH 0851, Ambrosia, and Cameo, all 7.9 inches, were not significantly shorter than BC 0805. HMX 6358BES, Revelation, Kristine, and Valiant produced ears 7.4 to 7.5 inches long. Temptation, at 7.1 inches, was not different from those, or from Vitality, which had the shortest ears at 6.7

99 inches. Varieties that had ears with a diameter of 2 inches or greater included Ambrosia, BC 0808, Cameo, Kristine, Mystique, and Temptation. Vitality, HMX 6358, and GH 0851 had the narrowest ears at 1.8 inches. Shank length ranged from 2.5 inches for Revelation and Vitality, to 5.1 inches for Cameo, with the average being 3.4 inches (Table 1). Ear length and shank length were positively correlated with days to harvest. Mystique and BC 0808 produced longer ears than would be expected based on their harvest dates, and Cameo had longer shanks than expected based on harvest date. Ear height, measured from the ground to mid-ear, ranged from 15.4 inches for HMX 6358BES, to 24.9 inches for Cameo and was correlated with harvest date — later varieties tended to have higher ears. Husk cover ratings averaged 4.3. BC 0805, GH 0851, Kristine, Valiant, Temptation, and Vitality averaged greater than 4.5, indicating more than 2 inches of husk cover on most ears. Revelation and Ambrosia averaged from 3.8 to 3.9, indicating 1.25 to 2 inches of cover on most ears. Mystique averaged 3.0, indicating 0.75 to 1.25 inches of cover. The husks of BC 0808 and Mystique were loose around the ear tip. Tip fill ratings averaged 3.9. Vitality, Temptation, and GH 0851 had very good tip fill, averaging 4.5 or more, indicating that most ears had kernels filled nearly to the tip. Valiant, BC 0805, and HMX 6358 BES had good tip fill, averaging 4.3 to 4.4, indicating ears with less than 0.5 inch of the tip unfilled. Most ears of Kristine and Revelation also had good tip fill. Cameo and BC 0808 produced ears with 0.5 to 1 inch of unfilled kernels. Varieties more than 1 inch unfilled kernels on most ears included Mystique and Ambrosia. For overall ear quality in terms of appearance, Temptation received the highest rating. Other varieties above the 6.1 average included Vitality, Kristine, BC 0805, and GH 0851. Ambrosia and BC 0808 received the lowest ratings for overall ear appearance. Varieties that received flavor ratings of very good to excellent, or better, included Mystique, Revelation, Ambrosia, Kristine, Valiant, and GH 0851. Cameo and BC 0805 consistently received ratings of very good. Often, producers select one or two varieties in each maturity range so it is helpful to compare varieties of similar maturity. Among the three earliest varieties in this trial, Temptation consistently received higher ratings related to plant vigor, produced the heaviest ears, best overall ear quality, and ears highest on the plant, but received the lowest flavor rating. HMX 6358BES had the longest ears and good ear quality, but suffered more lodging. Vitality was the earliest, produced the shortest ears, and also had good ear quality. Among the six varieties harvested 82 to 85 DAP, BC 0808 and Ambrosia produced the highest yield, BC 0808 and Mystique produced the largest ears, Kristine and Valiant had the best ear quality, and all except BC 0808 received flavor ratings of very good or better. One bicolor and one yellow variety were harvested 88 DAP: both BC 0805 and GH 0851 produced high yields of large, high quality ears almost 2 feet from the ground on strong plants. Careful evaluation of results presented in Tables 1 and 2 combined with results from other locations and years should aid producers in selecting varieties best suited to their operations. Acknowledgments J. Leuck and Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center staff managed field operations. N. Braden, R. Shay, J. Sheets, and A. Hodge assisted with field work and analysis. The seed companies listed in Table 2 provided financial support and/or seed.

100 Table 1. Emergence, final stand, early and late plant vigor, tillering, lodging, and ear shank length for 12 sugar-enhanced and synergistic sweet corn varieties in northern Indiana, 2008.

z Emergence Final Plant Vigory Height Shank Cultivar % Tillersx Lodgingu Stand Classw Lengthv May 29 June 6 plants/A June 9 Aug. 6 Vitality 77 91 20,134 7.7 ±0.7 4.0 3.7 2.0 2.9 4.0 ±0.6 HMX 6358BES 88 103 20,328 7.3 ±0.3 5.0 3.3 1.7 2.6 3.3 ±0.9 Temptation 76 80 18,586 8.0 ±0.6 6.3 3.0 1.7 3.3 6.7 ±0.9 Revelation 44 66 15,294 4.0 ±1.2 6.3 3.7 1.7 2.5 3.0 ±0.0 Mystique 85 88 19,941 6.7 ±0.3 7.7 2.3 2.0 3.4 3.3 ±0.3 BC 0808 67 100 20,328 5.3 ±0.7 5.7 4.3 2.0 3.7 4.0 ±0.6 Valiant 78 93 20,328 6.3 ±1.2 6.3 3.7 1.7 2.5 2.3 ±0.7 Kristine 81 89 19,747 7.0 ±0.0 6.0 2.7 1.7 3.5 3.7 ±0.3

101 Ambrosia 98 107 20,328 7.0 ±0.0 7.3 3.3 2.0 2.7 4.7 ±0.7 Cameo 72 78 18,198 7.3 ±1.2 7.3 4.0 3.0 5.1 5.7 ±0.9 BC 0805 91 95 20,134 7.3 ±0.3 6.7 3.0 2.0 4.2 5.0 ±0.0 GH 0851 92 101 20,328 7.7 ±0.7 6.7 3.7 1.7 4.1 6.3 ±0.7 Grand Mean 79 91 19,457 6.8 6.3 3.4 1.9 3.4 4.3 LSD .05t 17 13 – – 1.6 ns – 0.7 – zPercentage of intended seeding rate. Planted May 16, 2008. y1=very weak. 5=average. 9=very vigorous. Mean ± standard error if AOV not performed. x1=no or very few tillers. 3=tillers common but not tall enough to interfere with harvest. 5=tillers tall enough to interfere with harvest on most plants. w1=less than 5 feet. 2=5 to 6 feet. 3=more than 6 feet. vMeasured from attachment to stalk to base of ear; average of three ears per replication. u9=no lodging. 1=all plants severely lodged. Evaluated after 5.2 inches of rain on August 4. Mean ± standard error. tMeans differing by more than this amount are significantly different at P
.05 based on Fisher's Protected LSD. AOV not performed. Table 2. Yield, ear size, and quality of synergistic and sugar-enhanced sweet corn in northern Indiana, 2008.

Yield of Avg. y Ear Ear Ear Husk Seed Days to Harvest GDD to Marketable Ear Husk Tip Over Cultivar Color Length Dia. Ht. Tigh- Flavorv Sourcez Harvestx Ears Weight Coverw Fillw -allw in in in tnessw Pred. Actual doz/A ton/A lb

Vitality RU BI 67 77 1421 1517 5.2 0.58 6.7 1.8 16.3 4.6 1.7 4.9 6.3 G HMX HM BI 66 80 1493 1484 5.4 0.60 7.5 1.8 15.4 4.3 2.0 4.4 6.0 G-VG 6358BES Temptation RU BI 70 80 1493 1371 6.1 0.74 7.1 2.0 19.7 4.7 2.2 4.9 8.0 G-F Revelation HM BI 68 82 1529 1129 4.7 0.69 7.4 2.0 16.7 3.9 1.8 3.7 5.7 E-VG Mystique CR BI 75 82 1529 1387 6.3 0.76 8.4 2.0 21.4 3.0 1.1 2.2 5.7 E-VG BC 0808 SY BI 73 83 1538 1613 8.5 0.88 8.4 2.0 19.4 4.1 1.3 3.3 5.3 F-G Valiant CR BI 78 83 1538 1404 6.3 0.75 7.4 1.9 22.2 4.7 2.0 4.3 6.0 VG-E Kristine CR BI 80 83 1547 1468 6.8 0.77 7.4 2.0 18.4 4.9 2.0 3.9 6.7 VG-E Ambrosia RI BI 75 83 1547 1581 7.3 0.77 7.9 2.1 21.0 3.8 2.0 2.4 5.0 VG-E Cameo CR BI 80 85 1568 1436 7.9 0.93 7.9 2.0 24.9 4.1 1.8 3.3 6.0 VG BC 0805 SY BI 82 88 1603 1646 8.0 0.81 8.1 1.9 22.9 5.0 1.9 4.3 6.3 VG 102 GH 0851 SY Y 81 88 1603 1694 8.5 0.83 7.9 1.8 23.6 5.0 2.0 4.6 6.3 E-VG Grand Mean 1478 6.7 0.76 7.7 1.9 20.2 3.8 1.8 3.9 6.1 – LSD .05u 203 0.9 0.06 0.4 – 2.0 – – – – – r2t ns 0.60 0.58 0.41 ns 0.58 – – – – – zSeed Source: CR=Crookham. HM=Harris Moran. RI=Rispens. RU=Rupp SY=Syngenta. yDays from planting to harvest. Predicted number is from seed supplier. xGDD=corn growing degree days. wHusk cover, tip fill: 1=worst. 5=best. Husk tightness: 1=loose. 3=very tight. Overall: 1=worst. 9 =best. vFlavor: F=fair. G=good. VG=very good. E=excellent. Summary of ratings by one person for three ears per cultivar. uMeans differing by more than this amount are significantly different at P
.05 based on Fisher's Protected LSD. AOV not performed. tr2 for regression vs. actual days to harvest is the proportion of variability explained by days to harvest. ns=regression not significant at P
.05. Supersweet Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation for Northern Indiana, 2008

Elizabeth T. Maynard, Purdue University, Westville, Indiana 46391

Indiana growers harvested sweet corn for fresh market sales from 5,400 acres in 2007, according to the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield was 85 cwt/A (202 crates/A) and the crop had a total value of $10.5 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 15 sweet corn cultivars with sh2 endosperm, including varieties described as supersweet and augmented supersweet, that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana. Materials and Methods The trial was conducted on a Tracy sandy loam with 1.5% organic matter and 32 ppm phosphorus (P), 92 ppm potassium (K), 155 ppm magnesium (Mg), 600 ppm calcium (Ca), and pH 6.2. It was set up as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cultivars were assigned to individual plots one row (30 inches) wide by 30 feet long. Corn was seeded May 23, 2008, with a finger pick-up planter set to drop 23,200 seeds per acre, and later thinned to 35 plants per 30-foot row (20,328 plants per acre). Nitrogen (N) (20.3 lb./A) and P (18.2 lb./A P2O5) were applied at planting from 19-17-0 (10 gal./A) and an additional 70 lb./A N from urea ammonium nitrate solution was injected June 24. Tefluthrin (Force 3G) was applied at planting to control corn rootworms. Weeds were controlled with atrazine (Atrazine 4L) and s-metolachlor (Dual II Magnum), which were applied after seeding, and hand weeding. Irrigation was applied to incorporate herbicides, and then during the growing season as needed. Insecticides were applied as needed to control caterpillars. Emergence was recorded 11 and 19 days after planting (DAP), before thinning. Early plant vigor was evaluated 25 DAP. At 31 DAP the number of plants exhibiting leaves tightly wrapped in the whorl (onion-leafing) and the number leaning over were counted. Seventy-six DAP, just before harvest, plant vigor, height, degree of tiller formation, and lodging were evaluated, and the height from the soil to the middle of the ear was measured for three ears per plot. Each plot was harvested when corn reached marketable stage. The total weight and number of marketable ears were recorded. Three ears from each plot were selected to evaluate degree of husk cover, husk tightness, degree of tip fill, overall attractiveness, average ear diameter, length after husking, and shank length. One person rated the flavor of each entry. Rating scales are described below and in footnotes to tables. Quantitative data with equal variance across treatments were analyzed using ANOVA followed by mean separation using Fisher’s protected least significant difference at P
0.05. Relationships between yield components, ear and plant characteristics, and average days to harvest were analyzed using linear regression.

103 Characteristic Rating Scale 5=more than 2 inches cover. 4=1.25-2 inches. 3=0.75-1.25 inches. 2=less Husk Cover than 0.75 inch. 1=ear exposed. Husk Tightness 3=tight. 2=firm. 1=loose. 5=kernels filled to tip of cob. 4=less than 0.5 inch unfilled. 3=0.5-1 inch Tip Fill unfilled. 2=more than 1 inch unfilled. 1=more than 2 inches unfilled.

Results and Discussion The growing season was drier and cooler than normal. Climate information obtained from the Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue University documented that the last half of May was particularly cool, with an average air temperature of 56°F, 6°F below normal. Soil temperature at 4 inches measured within a quarter-mile of the trial averaged 62°F the first week after planting. From May 23 to August 15, 1590 growing degree days (GDD) accumulated, 94 fewer than normal. Aside from a 5-inch rainfall in early August, precipitation for the period totaled 6.2 inches, about half of normal. Irrigation prevented severe crop stress, but development was slower than normal, particularly early in the season. Emergence 11 and 19 DAP averaged 82% and 88% of the intended seeding rate, respectively, with significant differences among varieties (Table 1). It is not clear that differences in emergence are related to genetics of the varieties because seed treatments varied among entries. For Mirai 130Y and 277A, low emergence led to final stands of 66% and 79% of the desired population, respectively; other varieties were within 89% of the desired stand after thinning (Table 1). Early vigor was high for the four earliest varieties: Sweet Surprise, 274A, Fantastic, and Awesome, and not far behind for 77747B. Varieties that ranked low for early vigor included Mirai 130Y, Mirai 350BC, 277A, and Holiday. Onion-leafing and leaning observed during early growth were consistent with injury from an acetanilide herbicides, such as s-metolachlor, but the cause of the symptoms was not definitively determined. BSS 0982 and Holiday consistently showed onion-leafing on more than a quarter of the plants, and those two plus Optimum showed leaning on more than 15% of plants. By the late whorl stage, plants had grown out of this injury. By harvest, varieties did not show dramatic differences in plant vigor. Most varieties produced short tillers on many plants; Holiday tended to produce fewer than other varieties, and Mirai 336BC, BSS 0982, and 77747B tended to produce some tillers long enough to interfere with harvest. Lodging after the August 4 rainstorm was consistently low for Garrison, and 277A had the worst lodging in the trial. Results for yield and ear quality are presented in Table 2. Marketable yield averaged 7.2 tons per acre. 274A produced the highest yield of 8.5 tons per acre, but did not differ significantly from Sweet Surprise, Mirai 336BC, Obsession, Awesome, Fantastic, or 77747B. 277A and Mirai130A yielded less than any other varieties, producing 5.2 and 5.1 tons per acre, respectively. Those two varieties also produced significantly fewer ears per acre (1178 and 1048 dozen, respectively) than other varieties. The remaining varieties averaged 1524 dozen ears per acre, ranging from 1419 for Mirai 308BC, to 1597 for Mirai 336BC and Obsession, and did not differ significantly from one another. Average weight per ear ranged from 0.74 pound (Mirai 350BC and 277A) to 0. 91 pound (274A). Sweet Surprise, Awesome, Mirai 336BC, 77747B, and Obsession did not differ significantly from 274A. The remaining varieties did not differ significantly from Mirai 350BC.

104 Ear length ranged from 7.3 to 8.4 inches, and diameter ranged from 1.83 to 2.01 inches. The longest ears were produced by 274A, Holiday, and Mirai 336BC. Optimum produced the shortest ears, but not significantly different from six other varieties with ears up to 7.5 inches long. 274A produced the widest ears and Garrison the narrowest, but differences were not significant. Shank length averaged 3.7 inches (Table 1). Mirai 308BC had the longest shanks (4.8 inches), but did not differ significantly from five others with shanks more than 4.1 inches. All but one of the remaining varieties had shanks between 2.9 and 3.7 inches and did not differ significantly from one another. Optimum had the shortest shanks at 2.7 inches, significantly shorter than eight varieties with shanks longer than 3.4 inches. Husk cover ratings averaged 3.9. Varieties that consistently had more than 2 inches of husk cover on most ears included Optimum, Mirai 350BC, and Mirai 336BC. These also had husks that were reasonably tight around the ear. Varieties with husk cover between 1.25 and 2 inches on most ears included Sweet Surprise, 274A, Fantastic, Awesome, Mirai 308BC, Garrison, Mirai 130Y, and Holiday. Of these, husks were quite loose on Garrison and 274A. 277A, BSS 0982, 77747B, and Obsession had husks with 0.75 to 1.25 inches of cover beyond the ear tip. Tip fill was generally good to excellent: nine varieties received ratings between 4.5 and 5.0, and all but one of the others received ratings more than 4. 274A, which received a rating of 3.4, indicating most ears had unfilled kernels 0.5 to 1 inch from the tip. Sweet Surprise, Awesome, and Mirai 336BC received high ratings for overall ear appearance, 7.7, 8.0, and 7.7 respectively. All others received at least a 5, indicating acceptable appearance. Ear height, measured from the ground to mid-ear, ranged from 22 inches for 274A, to 30 inches for Obsession, and was positively correlated with harvest date. Other varieties with ears at least 25 inches above the ground included BSS 0982, Sweet Surprise, 277A, Mirai 336BC, Fantastic, Mirai 350BC, Mirai 130Y, 77747B, Garrison, and Holiday. Two varieties consistently received “excellent” flavor ratings and “not tough to somewhat tough” pericarp ratings: 277A and Fantastic. Varieties with flavor ratings of “very good” to “excellent” or better included Sweet Surprise, Optimum, Holiday, Mirai 130Y, Mirai 308BC, Mirai 350BC, and Awesome. Pericarp was rated as no more than “somewhat tough” for all these varieties except Optimum, Mirai 130Y, and Mirai 308BC, all of which received one rating of “tough.” Varieties rated very “good” or “very good to good” for flavor, with at least one rating of “tough” for the pericarp included BSS 0982 and 274A, 77747B, and Obsession. Garrison received a rating of “fair” for flavor and “very tough” for pericarp. Often, producers select one or two varieties in each maturity range, so it is helpful to compare varieties of similar maturity. Of the varieties harvested 77 days after planting, Awesome and Sweet Surprise were notable for high overall ear quality, generally better than Fantastic, which is considered a standard. 274A produced the largest ears of these four, but ears generally did not receive high ratings for quality. Of the three varieties harvested 78 to 80 DAP, Mirai 308BC produced the largest ears with the longest shanks, with a tendency to Fasciation; Optimum generally had the best ear quality and the shortest shanks; and 277A had the least vigorous plants and low yields due to low emergence. Five bicolor varieties were harvested 81-82 DAP. Of these, Mirai 336BC had the longest and best quality ears, with good early vigor. BSS 0982, 77747B, and Obsession had ears similar in length; BSS 0982 had longer and wider flag leaves than the other two; and husk cover on Obsession was not as good as on the other two. Mirai 350BC was noteworthy for small ears of good quality, and relatively low early vigor. Two yellow varieties were harvested 81 DAP. Garrison had better early vigor and smaller ears, while

105 Mirai 130Y had large ears and better eating quality, but low emergence and early vigor. Just one variety was harvested 84 DAP: Holiday produced large ears of good quality, but early vigor was relatively low. Many varieties in this trial performed well. Careful evaluation of results presented in Tables 1 and 2, combined with results from other locations and years, should aid producers in selecting varieties best suited to their operations. Acknowledgments J. Leuck and Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center staff managed field operations. N. Braden, R. Shay, J. Sheets, and A. Hodge assisted with field work and analysis. Seed companies listed in Table 1 provided financial support and/or seed.

106 Table 1. Emergence, final stand, early and late plant vigor, tillering, lodging, and ear shank length for 15 supersweet (sh2) sweet corn varieties in Northern Indiana, 2008.

z Emergence Final y Onion- Plant Vigor Leaning Shank % Stand Leafing x Height v u Cultivar Tillers w Length Lodging June June plants/ Class June 9 Harvest plants/row inches 3 11 A

Sweet 93 97 20,328 8.7 ±0.33 4.7 ±0.33 0.3 ±0.33 2.7 ±0.33 3.0 ±0.00 2.0 4.6 5.3 ±0.67 Surprise 274 A 96 99 20,328 8.3 ±0.33 4.0 ±0.58 0.0 ±0.00 3.0 ±0.00 2.0 ±0.58 1.3 4.1 5.3 ±0.33 Fantastic 90 92 19,921 8.3 ±0.33 5.3 ±0.33 0.7 ±0.67 2.7 ±0.33 3.0 ±0.00 2.3 3.3 4.3 1.20 Awesome 94 101 20,328 8.0 ±0.00 5.0 ±0.58 0.3 ±0.33 2.0 ±0.00 3.0 ±0.00 1.7 4.7 5.7 ±0.33 Mirai 308BC 77 78 18,179 6.3 ±0.88 4.0 ±0.00 1.3 ±1.33 2.0 ±0.00 3.0 ±0.00 1.7 4.8 6.3 ±0.33 277 A 60 69 16,088 4.3 ±0.33 3.3 ±0.67 4.3 ±2.85 3.3 ±0.33 3.3 ±0.67 2.0 3.2 3.0 ±0.58 Optimum 84 91 19,341 5.3 ±0.33 4.0 ±0.00 2.0 ±2.00 5.7 ±0.33 3.3 ±0.33 2.7 2.7 5.3 ±0.67 BSS 0982 77 90 19,921 6.7 ±0.33 4.3 ±0.33 10.0 ±2.52 6.3 ±0.67 3.7 ±0.33 3.0 3.7 4.7 ±0.88

107 Garrison 100 104 20,328 6.3 ±0.67 4.7 ±0.33 0.7 ±0.33 2.0 ±0.00 2.3 ±0.33 2.3 4.1 7.0 ±0.00 Mirai 130Y 53 58 13,358 3.7 ±0.33 5.0 ±0.00 1.3 ±0.33 1.7 ±0.33 2.0 ±0.00 2.3 3.3 5.7 ±0.88 Mirai 350BC 78 82 18,586 4.3 ±0.33 5.0 ±0.00 3.0 ±0.00 1.3 ±0.33 2.3 ±0.33 2.3 2.9 5.3 ±0.33 77747B 78 80 18,411 7.7 ±0.33 5.0 ±0.00 2.7 ±0.67 1.3 ±0.33 3.7 ±0.33 2.3 3.1 6.0 ±0.58 Mirai 336BC 88 90 20,328 7.3 ±0.88 5.0 ±0.00 1.3 ±0.67 1.3 ±0.33 4.0 ±0.58 2.0 3.3 6.7 ±0.88 Obsession 90 92 19,921 7.0 ±0.58 5.3 ±0.33 0.7 ±0.67 2.0 ±0.58 3.3 ±0.33 3.0 3.5 5.3 ±0.33 Holiday 73 91 20,154 4.7 ±0.67 4.7 ±0.33 23.0 ±4.16 5.3 ±0.33 1.7 ±0.33 2.7 4.1 5.0 ±0.00 Grand Mean 82 88 18,992 6.5 4.6 3.4 3.3 2.9 2.2 3.7 5.4 LSD .05t 14 13 – – – – – – 0.79 – zPercentage of intended seeding rate. y1=very weak. 5=average. 9=very vigorous. x1=no or very few tillers. 3=tillers common but not tall enough to interfere with harvest. 5=tillers tall enough to interfere with harvest in most plants. w1=less than 5 feet. 2=5-6 feet. 3=more than 6 feet. vMeasured from attachment to stalk to base of ear; average of three ears per replication. u9=no lodging. 1=all plants severely lodged. Evaluated after 5. 2 inches of rain on August 4. Mean ± standard error. Table 2. Yield, ear size, ear height, and quality of supersweet sweet corn in Northern Indiana, 2008.

Yield of Avg. y Ear Ear Ear Husk Seed Days to Harvest GDD to Marketable Ear Husk Tip Over Fla- Peri- Cultivar Color Length Dia. Ht. Tight- Sourcez Harvestx Ears Weight Coverw Fillw -allw vor carp in in in ness w Pred. Actual doz/A ton/A lb

Sweet RI BI 75 77 1371 1581 8.4 0.89 7.6 1.96 25.3 3.9 2.3 5.0 7.7 E-VG N-S Surprise 274 A ST BI 74 77 1371 1549 8.5 0.91 8.4 2.01 21.8 3.9 1.4 3.4 5.0 VG N-T Fantastic ST BI 75 77 1371 1549 7.6 0.82 7.4 2.00 26.8 3.9 1.6 4.9 6.3 E N-S Awesome ST BI 74 77 1371 1533 8.0 0.87 7.4 1.97 23.8 4.4 2.7 5.0 8.0 E-VG S-N Mirai 308BC CE BI 71 78 1397 1420 6.5 0.77 7.5 1.96 24.9 3.9 1.6 4.7 5.7 VG-E S-T 277 A ST BI 77 79 1421 1178 5.2 0.74 7.3 1.93 25.7 3.1 1.8 4.8 6.0 E S Optimum CR BI 78 80 1435 1484 6.7 0.75 7.3 1.90 23.7 5.0 2.0 4.3 6.0 E-VG S-T BSS 0982 SY BI 80 81 1459 1484 6.9 0.78 7.8 1.90 25.1 3.2 2.1 4.1 6.3 VG T-S Garrison SY Y 79 81 1459 1549 7.0 0.76 7.5 1.83 28.2 3.9 1.4 4.8 6.7 F VT Mirai 130Y CE Y 71 81 1459 1049 5.1 0.82 8.1 1.99 26.9 4.0 1.7 4.2 6.0 VG-E S-T Mirai 350BC CE BI 78 81 1459 1452 6.5 0.74 7.5 1.90 26.8 4.7 2.2 4.1 6.3 VG-E N-S 77747B CE BI 76 81 1459 1500 7.6 0.84 7.8 1.94 27.4 3.3 2.0 4.1 5.3 VG-G S-T

108 Mirai 336BC CE BI 73 81 1459 1597 8.2 0.86 8.2 1.86 26.6 5.0 1.9 4.6 7.7 E-G S Obsession ST BI 79 82 1485 1597 8.0 0.84 7.9 1.92 29.7 2.6 1.7 4.9 5.7 VG-G N-T Holiday CR BI 84 84 1529 1517 7.2 0.79 8.2 1.92 28.9 3.5 1.8 4.7 6.0 VG-E S Grand Mean 1469 7.2 0.81 7.7 1.93 26.4 3.9 1.9 4.5 6.3 LSD .05t 217 1.2 0.08 0.3 ns 3.2 – – – – – – r2s ns ns ns ns 0.39 0.50 zSeed Source: CE= Centest, CR=Crookham, RI=Rispens, ST=Stokes, SY=Syngenta. yDays from planting to harvest. Predicted number is from seed supplier. xGDD: corn growing degree days. wHusk cover, tip fill: 1=worst. 5=best. Husk tightness: 1=loose. 3=very tight. Overall: 1=worst. 9=best. vFlavor: F=fair. G=good. VG=very good. E=excellent. uPericarp toughness: N=not tough. S=somewhat tough. T=tough. VT=very tough. tMeans differing by more than this amount are significantly different at P
.05 based on Fisher's Protected LSD. AOV not performed. sr2 for regression versus actual days to harvest is the proportion of variability explained by days to harvest. ns=regression not significant at P<.05. Use of Biological Seed Treatments for Improved Seedling Establishment and Disease Control in Sweet Corn

Principle Investigators: Mark Bennett and Elaine Grassbaugh (Hort &Crop Science) Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210 Other Personnel: Brian McSpadden-Gardener (Plant Pathology) and Matt Hofelich (OSU/OARDC)

Introduction This project focuses on the use of organic/biological seed treatments for optimum stand establishment of sweet corn. Traditional seed treatments, due to their composition, cannot be used in organic production systems. Use of untreated seed often reduces seed germination and field stands. Organic/biological treatments may be useful to organic and transitional farmers when direct-seeding crops such as sweet corn. This project assessed establishment when sown under lab and field conditions. Materials and Methods

Sweet corn ‘Obsession’ seed (sh2) was treated with various biological treatments: (Green Guard™, Actinovate®, Delaw1 strain) as well as Thiram, an untreated control and a water control. Seeds were tested in the lab using standard germination (25oC for seven days) and cold tests (seven days at 10oC, then four days at 25oC). Field plots were established on a Rimer loamy fine sand at the OSU/OARDC North Central Ag Research Station (NCARS), Fremont, OH. Fifty seeds per plot were planted 6 inches apart with 30 inches spacing between rows. All treatments were replicated four times. Seed treatments were applied on June 16 and plots were seeded on June 18. Soil temperature (2-inch depth) at planting was 61.3oF (16.3oC). Stand counts were taken on July 15. Results There were no significant differences due to seed treatment in standard germination or laboratory cold tests. Field stand counts showed a significantly higher percent germination/stand (92-93%) for seeds treated with Actinovate®, the untreated control, and the water control (Table 1). Delaw1 (90%) and Green Guard (85%) presented intermediate levels of seedling establishment. Thiram-treated seed had the lowest percent stand (Table 1). Soil temperature stress was minimal for the 2008 field studies, and lower seedling establishment levels are typically observed when planting untreated sweet corn seed. Future studies in Ohio with a wider range of sweet corn germplasm and biological seed treatments under cooler soil conditions (50-60°F) are needed. Conclusion Growers looking to grow produce in a more sustainable and reliable manner can benefit from effective seed treatments for uniform seedling establishment and disease control. This would especially be important to those looking to transition to organic production 109 where traditional seed treatments are not labeled for organic production. Additional work is needed to provide more data on these and other treatments. Acknowledgements • Thanks and appreciation to the Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program for their financial support. • Special thanks to Natural Industries, Inc. for their donation of Actinovate®. • We express our appreciation to Seminis for their seed donation for this project.

Table 1. Effect of various seed treatments on standard laboratory germination and cold test results, and seedling establishment (4 WAS) in the field of an sh2 sweet corn cultivar (‘Obsession’), Fremont, OH – 2008.

Seed Active Ingredient/Beneficial Std. germ Cold test Field stand Treatment Microorganism (%) (%) germ count (%)

Control 99 99 93 Water Control 99 95 92 Thiram Tetramethylthiuram disulfide 100 96 77 Green Guard™ Metarhizium anisopliae 100 99 85 Actinovate® Streptomyces lydicus 99 95 92 Delaw1 Pseudomonas fluorescens 100 96 90 LSD (0.05) NS NS 2.01 p value 0.701 0.29 CV 1.3 3.6 9.5

110 Evaluation of Ten Sweet Potato Cultivars in Southwest Michigan

Ron Goldy and Virginia Wendzel Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center

Objective To evaluate the performance of 10 readily available sweet potato cultivars under southwest Michigan growing conditions. Summary Significant differences were found between the 10 cultivars in total yield, and yield of number one, jumbo, and cull roots. Total yield ranged from 6,628 (‘Bunch Porto Rican’) to 18,425 (‘Carolina Ruby’) pounds per acre. Number one yield ranged from 1,595 (‘Bunch Porto Rican’) to 6,848 (‘Centennial’) pounds per acre. ‘Georgia Jet’ had the highest number of culls (10,313 pounds per acre) due primarily to cracking. ‘Carolina Ruby,’ ‘Centennial,’ ‘Covington,’ ‘Red Japanese,’ and ‘Beauregard’ can be recommended for commercial production in Michigan. Methods Fertilizer Prior to planting, 0-0-60 and Solubor were broadcast and incorporated at 300 and 20 pounds per acre, respectively. Pre-plant nitrogen was supplied through a hairy vetch cover crop planted August 2007. After planting, the trial was fertilized with 4-0-8-2(Ca) through the drip system. Fertigation began on June 16 and ended on September 2, resulting in 91 pounds per acre nitrogen and 182 pounds per acre potassium. Weed Control Weeds in the row were controlled using black plastic mulch. Between row weeds were controlled by hand hoeing. Planting The trial was planted June 3 on raised, plastic-mulched beds with drip irrigation. Beds were 6 inches high and on 5.5-foot centers. Plants were set in the row 12 inches between plants with 30 plants per plot. The trial was planted and analyzed as a completely randomized design with three replications. All entries were obtained from George’s Plant Farm (www.tatorman.com) in Martin, Tennessee. Plant Care The trial was drip irrigated as needed. No pesticides were applied. Harvest and Data Collection The trial was harvested September 12 and graded into three categories: jumbo (roots more than 3 inches in diameter and/or more than 9 inches long), number one (roots 3 to 9 inches long and

111 1.75 to 3.5 inches in diameter), and cull (primarily cracked and small roots). Results Temperatures during the 2008 growing season were lower than recent years. After the trial was planted there were three days in June when temperatures stayed below 70ºF. Therefore, little vegetative growth occurred during June. It was not until July 15 that temperatures went above 90ºF. There were only three days above 90ºF during the entire season – typically there would be 12 days above 90ºF. Harvest could have been delayed for two weeks and yields may have been somewhat greater but the decision to harvest September 12 was caused by predicted cool temperatures, especially at night. So the 2008 season provided a real test as to which cultivars could produce in a marginal climate such as southern Michigan. Despite the cool season, total yields of the 10 cultivars ranged from 6,628 to 18,425 pounds per acre (Table 1). ‘Carolina Ruby’ and ‘Georgia Jet’ were comparable in total yield at 18,425 and 17,298, pounds per acre respectively. ‘Carolina Ruby’ had 38% of its yield as jumbo roots (7,068 pounds), and 60% (10,313 pounds) of ‘Georgia Jet’ roots were graded as culls, primarily due to cracking. ‘Georgia Jet’ was the only entry that had a significant amount of cracking. Yield of number one roots ranged from 1,595 pounds per acre for ‘Bunch Porto Rican’ to 6,848 pounds per acre for ‘Centennial.’ ‘Carolina Ruby,’ ‘Covington,’ ‘Red Japanese,’ and ‘Beauregard’ were similar to ‘Centennial’ in yield of number one roots. The 5.5-foot row spacing was dictated by the width of our bed shaper. A 30-inch between row spacing is more typical for bare ground commercial production. The black plastic helped with weed control and certainly was helpful in early season growth when the temperatures were cool. Closer spaced rows with or without plastic would probably give higher yields. The ten varieties had a wide range of characteristics. Some have a bush-type growth habit (‘Vardeman’ and ‘Bunch Porto Rican’), while others have a vine-type habit. ‘Red Japanese’ has dry flesh while others have moist flesh. ‘Carolina Ruby,’ ‘Georgia Jet,’ Covington,’ and ‘Red Japanese’ have a red-colored skin. ‘Centennial,’ ‘Beauregard,’ and ‘Vardeman,’ have orange skin, and ‘Nancy Hall’ and ‘White Triumph’ have white skin and white flesh. ‘Red Japanese’ also has white flesh. Reported maturity dates for the entries varied from 80 to 110 days. ‘Centennial’ has been the standard for sweet potato production in Michigan and was the variety used by growers when Michigan had a commercial industry several years ago. ‘Centennial’ continues to be a strong performer under Michigan conditions. However, other varieties are also good performers and should be evaluated by growers wanting to supply the market with a locally grown product. Of the 10 cultivars evaluated, five can be recommended for production: ‘Carolina Ruby,’ ‘Centennial,’ ‘Covington,’ ‘Red Japanese,’ and ‘Beauregard.’

112 Table 1. Yield of 10 sweet potato cultivars in pounds per acre at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2008. Plant density was 7,920 plants per acre. Variety Total Yield Yield No. 11 Yield Jumbo2 Yield Cull3

Carolina Ruby 18,425 5,583 7,068 5,775 Georgia Jet 17,298 4,345 2,640 10,313 Centennial 12,623 6,848 1,416 4,359 Covington 12,361 5,596 3,121 3,644 Red Japanese 11,949 5,280 1,953 4,716 Beauregard 11,096 5,019 2,324 3,754 Nancy Hall 9,983 3,383 0 6,600 White Triumph 9,254 4,359 0 4,895 Vardeman 9,048 3,850 0 5,198 Bunch Porto Rican 6,628 1,595 0 5,033 lsd=0.05 3,271 2,361 2,568 2,096 1Roots 3 to 9 inches in length and 1.75 to 3.5 inches in diameter. 2Roots more than than 9 inches in length and more than 3.5-inches in diameter. 3Cracked and small roots.

113 On-Farm Evaluation of Tomato Cultivars for Disease Resistance, 2008

Elizabeth Maynard, Purdue University, Westville, IN 46391 Butch Zandstra, Zandstra’s Farm and Greenhouse, Highland, IN 46322 Dan Egel, Southwest Purdue Ag Program, Vincennes, IN 47591

Introduction Bacterial spot of tomatoes (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) causes lesions on leaves, stems and fruit. Under conditions of hot, humid, rainy weather, defoliation can result in a loss of yield. In addition, lesions on fruit result in a direct loss of marketability. This disease is managed primarily with applications of fixed copper bactericides, crop rotations, greenhouse sanitation, and healthy seed/transplants. Even in properly managed commercial fields, however, bacterial spot can cause yield losses. Although there are no varieties with complete resistance to bacterial spot, we report here the results of an on-farm trial that indicates some varieties may have partial resistance. Methods Seeds of 23 varieties were planted in the greenhouse facilities of Butch Zandstra in Lake County, Indiana. Transplants were planted in the field on June 10 in a completely randomized design with four replications. Each replication consisted of 12 plants. The plants were placed on 3-foot-wide black plastic and were staked and weaved. A systemic fungicide was applied on July 29, and a contact fungicide and fixed copper bactericide were applied approximately weekly from August 1 to September 6, and again on September 30. On July 3, plant vigor was rated in each plot using a scale of 1 (least vigorous) to 9 (most vigorous). On October 17, each plot was rated for bacterial spot using the Horsfall-Barratt scale (J.G. Horsfall and R.W. Barratt, Phytopathology 35:655). The Horsfall-Barratt scale is used to assign percent foliage affected into one of 11 severity classes. One rating was given based on whole plant disease severity for all plants in the plot. Ratings were also recorded for three individual leaves per plot. Leaves near growing points were chosen. The three leaf ratings per plot were averaged. The ratings were analyzed by ANOVA and means were separated using Fisher’s protected least significant difference at P=0.05. The Horsfall-Barratt ratings were converted back into percentages for presentation using the Elanco Conversion Tables (Eli Lilly Company, Indianapolis). Results and Discussion Windblown sand and dry conditions injured newly set transplants. Growing points on a number of plants were killed. Injury appeared to vary among plots, so the early vigor rating was taken in part to assess whether the injury would increase susceptibility to disease. Significant differences in vigor rating were observed but low vigor was not consistently associated with high disease ratings (Table 1). There were significant differences in the amount of disease present in leaf and whole plant ratings conducted in October. The percent of disease ranged from a mean of 19 percent for Sweet Elite to 95 percent for Applause in the whole plant rating. Since the only

114 disease rating was performed relatively late in the season, the percentages shown below are a snapshot of the amount of disease present and do not reflect the amount of disease that occurred over the entire season. However, the size of the differences shown here suggests that partial resistance to bacterial spot could play a part in the management of this disease. In similar trials published here in 2006 and 2007, Applause also had the highest amount of disease. Florida 91, RFT 6163, Phoenix, and Mountain Fresh had severity values that were not significantly different from the lowest value in 2007 and in 2008. Acknowledgements The donation of seed by the companies listed in Table 1 is appreciated. Table 1. Early season plant vigor and disease ratings for fresh market tomato varieties grown in Lake County, Indiana, 2008.

HB ratingz Cultivar Seed Source July - Vigory Leaf rating Plant rating

Applause Seminis 4.0 bcdefx 90.6 a 95 a SVR 0170 Seminis 4.3 bcde 62.5 b 95 a HMX 7838 Harris Moran 4.8 abcd 49 bc 92 ab Tormenta Bejo 4.5 abcde 68 b 91 ab Mt Glory Syngenta 3.0 def 43 bc 87 abcd Red Defender Harris Moran 4.8 abcd 22.5 cdef 84 bcde Carolina Gold Siegers 5.0 abc 18.8 cdefg 78 bcdef Rocky Top Syngenta 3.8 cdef 13.4 cdefg 78 bcdef BHN 871 Siegers 5.8 ab 37.5 bcde 78 bcdef Fletcher Bejo 2.3 f 43 bcde 73 cdef Scarlet Red Harris Moran 4.3 bcde 13.4 cdefg 73 cdef Talladega Syngenta 5.0 abc 37.5 bcde 68 defg Reba Sakata 3.8 cdef 13.4 defg 68 defg Nico Harris Moran 6.3 a 11.3 fgh 68 defg BHN 602 Siegers 3.5 cdef 43 bcd 63 defgh Linda Sakata 4.0 bcdef 11.3 fg 55 efghi Florida 91 Rispens 5.0 abc 9.4 fgh 43 fghij

Continued on next page

115 Table 1 (continued)

HB ratingz Cultivar Seed Source July - Vigory Leaf rating Plant rating

RFT 6153 SeedWay 3.8 cdef 7.7 fgh 43 fghij Phoenix Rispens 3.0 def 13.4 efg 32 ghij SVR 0172 Seminis 3.5 cdef 6.4 gh 32 ghij Mountain Fresh Rispens 2.8 ef 3.5 h 27 hij BSS 832 Bejo 3.8 cdef 6.4 gh 23 ij Sweet Elite Sakata 4.3 bcde 5.4 gh 19 j

P-value 0.0079 0.0001 0.0001 z Plots were rated for severity of bacterial spot using the Horsfall-Barratt scale. Ratings converted to percent foliage affected. y Vigor was rated July 3 on a 19 scale, with 1=the least vigorous and 9=the most vigorous. x Means within each column with a letter in common are not significantly different (Fisher’s Protected LSD, P=0.05).

116 Yield and Income of Spring Staked Tomato Cultivars in Eastern Kentucky

R. Terry Jones, Crystal Sparks, Ryan Hays, and John C. Snyder, Department of Horticulture

Introduction Kentucky growers produce approximately 1,200 acres of staked, vine-ripe tomatoes for local and national sales. Kentucky tomatoes have an excellent reputation for quality among produce buyers. This trial evaluated new and existing cultivars to identify those that might produce well as an early season (spring) tomato with heat tolerance and resistance to various disease problems. Cultivars were evaluated for yield, appearance, and potential return to growers. We wanted to see which tomato cultivars would produce good yields of attractive fruit, acceptable to the industry. Materials and Methods Fifteen fresh market, red-fruited tomato cultivars were evaluated at Quicksand, Kentucky (Table 1). According to soil test results (Table 2), the plot received 100 lb K2O and 50 lb N/A pre-plant. An additional 75 lb of N/A was applied through the drip irrigation lines during the growing season. Pest control was based on recommendations from ID-36, Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. Fungicides were applied weekly and insecticides were applied as needed. Trays were seeded in the greenhouse at Quicksand on March 25. Black plastic mulch and drip tape were laid on April 23 and tomatoes were transplanted on May 6. Cultivars were replicated four times with six plants per replication. Plants were spaced 18 inches within rows. Rows (bed centers) were 11 feet apart to allow the sprayer to be driven between beds. Eight harvests were made during this trial. The tomato cultivars were harvested when the fruit was at the breaker stage. Data collected included: grade, weight, and count for jumbo and extra large (>3.5 in.), large (>2.5, <3.5 in.), No. 2, mediums (<2.5, >2.0 in), and cull tomatoes. Reasons for culling included catfacing, concentric or radial cracks, disease, scars, and blotchy ripening. Incomes were calculated based on the prices received by growers for staked tomatoes at the Lincoln County Produce Auction in 2008 (Table 3). Results and Discussion The 2008 growing season was dry and much warmer than normal. Rainfall totals for May through August were: 3.24, 3.94, 6.13, and 1.16 inches for a total of 14.47 inches. Extreme heat and other weather related problems may have contributed to blotchy ripening in two of the late tomato harvests. Because of two heavy rains in July, some early blight and bacterial speck were present in the planting. Nico had the highest total marketable yield and income, but it was not significantly different from SRV1400, Red Defender, Fletcher, or Mountain Glory in total marketable fruit or income (Table 4). Nico also had the highest number of boxes of jumbo and extra large tomato fruit. It was not significantly different from SRV 1400, Red Defender, and Fletcher. Because of early

117 fruit production, the early season cultivar Pole Big did not differ significantly from the top income producers. Conestoga, an heirloom cultivar had significantly more (27.3%) cull tomatoes than the other cultivars (Table 4). There was no significant difference among the cultivars in #2 tomato fruit. Looking at the prices received for fall tomatoes in Table 3 it can be seen that cultivars that produced a lot of fruit early in the season (July 15, 21, and 25) when prices were higher, were favored in income produced. SRV 1400, DSS832, Applause, Mtn. Fresh Plus, Nico, and Red Defender had the highest percentage of jumbo and extra large fruit (Table 5). SRV 1400, Applause, DSS832, Mtn. Fresh, Red Defender, and Nico had the largest fruit size (Table 5). In the past, Amelia and Crista have done well in our trials but for some reason did not do as well during this growing season. Growers should use caution when selecting any vegetable cultivar based on one year’s results at a single location. Table 1. Tomato cultivars, descriptions and reported disease resistance, grown at Quicksand, Ky., 2008. Variety Name (Company) Comments/Description1

Determinate compact plant; 74 days; high yield; smooth, red 1. Fletcher (SW) fruit. Resistance to FW 1, 2, 3; VW; GLS; TSWV; nematodes. Determinate, mid-maturity, dark red fruit. Resistance to VD, 2. Nico (HM) FW 1, 2; ASC; Nt; TSWV. 3. Red Defender [HMX Determinate, mid-maturity, dark red fruit. Resistance to VD; 5825] (HM) FW 1, 2; ASC; TSWV. 4. Mt. Fresh Plus (HM, SW) Determinate, red, 78 days. Resistance to FW 1, 2; Nt; Vd.

Determinate; 74 days; medium plant; crack resistant, smooth, 5. Mtn. Crest (SW) red fruit. Resistance to VW 1; FW 1, 2. Determinate, red, 75 days. Resistance to FW 1, 2, 3; VD; 6. Crista [NC 0256] (HM) TSWV; Nt.

7. Amelia VR (HM, SW) Determinate, red, 80 days. Resistance to FW 1,2; TSWV; Nt; Vd; ST. Indeterminate specialty Heritage type; good size; soft red, 8. Conestoga (SW) fruit. High tunnel and greenhouse suitable 9. Mtn. Glory Determinate large red fruited Mt. Spring type. Resistance to [NC 0392] (SW) FW1, 2; VW 1,2,3; ST; TSWV (tol.). 10. Applause Determinate medium plant, oblate red fruit. Resistance to (SW, Ru) ASC; FW 1, 2; VD; bacterial speck. Determinate fresh market; L-XL oblate, red fruit. Resistance to 11. SRV1400 (Seminis) TSWV; ASC; FW 1, 2; VW 1; GLS. 61 days, determinate plants, medium size, cold tolerant, crack 12. Pole Big (SW) resistant, red beef type fruit. Resistance to FW 1, VW.

Continued on next page

118 Table 1 (continued) Variety Name (Company) Comments/Description1

Determinate 75 days, large red fruit. Resistance to BW; FW 1, 13. Florida 7514 (RU) 2; ST; BSR; VW; BSR. 65 days, early determinate, cold tolerant, beef with globe 14. Townsville (SW) shaped red fruit. Resistance to VW 1; FW 1, 2. Main season large beef type with red fruit. Excellent yield and 15. DSS832 (Bejo) quality but little disease resistance. 1VW 1=Verticillium wilt 1, 2, 3; FW FW 1=Fusarium wilt R1; FW2=Fusarium wilt R2; GLS=gray leaf spot; Nt=nematode tolerant; ASC=Alternaria stem canker tolerant; ST=Stemphylium tolerant; 9=Fusarium wilt R3; TSWV=tomato spotted wilt virus; ED=early blight tolerant; VD=Verticillium dahliae; BW=bacterial wilt; BSR=bacterial speck resistant.

Table 2. Results from soil test at Quicksand, Ky., 2008. pH Buffer pH P K Ca Mg Zn 5.71 6.82 95 332 2814 177 7.1

Table 3. Prices used to calculate incomes — average farm gate prices paid at the Lincoln County Produce Auction in 2008. Week US#1 Price per 25 lb Box1 Canner Price per 25 lb Box2

July 15 9.64 4.23 July 21 8.43 4.10 July 25 11.23 5.67 August 1 7.81 2.66 August 8 4.68 1.55 August 13 5.59 1.87 August 15 8.39 6.95 1Yields for large, extra large, and jumbo grades were multiplied by the US#1 prices per box for the appropriate harvest dates to calculate “part of the total income per acre” for each cultivar. 2Yields for medium and #2 tomato grades were multiplied by the price for canners to obtain and combined with the income from the US #1 boxes to obtain the total income per acre for each cultivar.

119 Table 4. Spring fresh market tomato yields at Quicksand, Ky., 2008. Data are means of four replications.

Jumbo & Total Pounds Pounds Extra Percent Cultivar Extra Large Marketable Income ($) No. 2 Large3 Culls2,3 (boxes/acre)3 Yield (lbs)1, 3 Tomatoes3

Nico 1,537.9 A 31,755 A 43,960 A 12,486 A 3,472 A 4.5 D SRV1400 1,380.6 AB 23,779 BCD 36,925 ABC 10,701 ABC 3,641 A 11.9 BC Red 1,309.7 ABC 26,631 AB 38,110 AB 11,464 AB 2,578 A 9.0 CD Defender Fletcher 1,204.1 ABCD 25,768 AB 36,952 ABC 10,563 ABC 2,210 A 4.8 D Mtn. Glory 1,133.4 BCD 24,148 BC 35,607 ABC 10,541 ABCD 2,841 A 8.2 CD Mtn. Fresh 1,123.7 BCD 23,937 BCD 32,249 BCDE 9,113 BCDEF 2,052 A 8.7 CD Plus Pole Big 1,017.2 CDE 22,832 BCDE 33,670 BCD 11,187 AB 6,850 A 11.7 BC Applause 949.1 DEF 16,551 EF 26,946 DEF 9,520 BCDE 7,113 A 10.39 CD DSS832 915.8 DEF 17,929 CDEF 25,368 DEF 7,984 EFG 4,872 A 17.6 B Mtn. Crest 913.7 DEF 20,528 BCDE 28,777 CDEF 8,985 BCDEF 3,598 A 9.63 CD Amelia 768.9 EFG 18,150 CDEF 23,790 EF 6,284 G 1,999 A 13.3 BC Conestoga 743.3 EFG 16,761 DEF 24,305 EF 8,234 CDEFG 1,294 A 27.3 A Crista 671.7 FG 15,015 F 20,938 F 6,657 FG 2,125 A 11.O BCD Florida 624.2 FG 14,015 F 22,327 F 8,061 DEFG 2,199 A 7.8 CD 7514 Townsville 537.0 G 13,331 F 25,494 DEF 9,511 BCDE 2,178 A 8.5 CD Minimum Significant 344.83 7,204.8 8,537.2 2,495.20 6,327 6.807 Difference (MSD 5%) 1Includes all grades except culls. 2A small amount of blotchy ripening was seen in some cultivars during the last three harvests in July and August. 3Means within a column, followed by the same letter are not significantly different, as determined by MSD (5%).

120 Table 5. 2008 Spring Tomato Cultivar Trial, average fruit weight and % jumbo and extra large. Quicksand, KY. Cultivar Avg Fruit Wt (oz) % Fruit Jumbo and Extra Large

SRV1400 9.5 A 93.3 A DSS832 8.7 AB 89.80 AB Applause 9.4 A 87.65 ABC Mtn. Fresh Plus 8.4 ABC 86.69 ABCD Nico 9.7 A 85.74 ABCD Red Defender 7.6 ABCD 84.23 ABCD Amelia 7.1 BCD 80.70 BCDE Mtn. Glory 7.6 ABCD 79.8 CDE Crista 6.4 CD 79.7 CDE Fletcher 8.4 ABC 78.46 CDEF Mtn. Crest 6.8 BCD 78.01 DEF Conestoga 6.1 D 74.62 EF Pole Big 6.8 BCD 74.59 EF Florida 7514 5.6 D 69.75 F Townsville 6.4 CD 53.51 G Minimum Significant 9.5843 Difference (MSD 5%)

121 Evaluation of Fourteen Tomato Cultivars in Southwest Michigan

Ron Goldy and Virginia Wendzel Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center

Objective Evaluation of 14 tomato varieties for adaptability to Southwest Michigan growing conditions. Varieties included 12 fresh market and two saladette types. Summary No differences were found between the two saladette tomatoes in the trial. However, significant differences were found in all traits evaluated in the fresh market entries. Total yield for fresh market entries ranged from 1612 to 2341 cartons per acre. Number one fruit yield ranged from 784 to 1294 cartons per acre. Average number one fruit weight ranged from 250 to 311 grams per fruit, and number one fruit firmness ranged from 1.36 to 2.31. ‘Mountain Glory,’ ‘Linda,’ SVR 1400, ‘Fletcher,’ and BSS-832 were among the leaders in several categories. The trial identified varieties growers should try as a compliment to the industry standard ‘Mountain Spring.’ Methods Fertilizer Prior to planting, 0-0-60, sulfur, and Solubor were broadcast and incorporated at 300 pounds, 25 pounds, and 20 pounds per acre, respectively. Pre-plant nitrogen was supplied through a hairy vetch cover crop planted in August 2007. After planting, 37 pounds per acre of nitrogen and 74 pounds per acre of potassium were applied through the drip system as 4-0-8-2(Ca). Fertigation began June 16 and ended September 2. Fumigation/Weed Control Beds were fumigated with 300 pounds per acre 67/33% methyl bromide/chloropicrin at bed shaping and plastic laying. Between row weeds were controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Planting Seed was started in a greenhouse in 72-cell trays on April 14 and planted to the field June 2. Beds were 6 inches high and spaced 5.5 feet on centers. Plants were set 18 inches between plants (5280 plants/acre). The plants were staked, tied, and pruned to one sucker below the first flower cluster. The trial was planted and analyzed as a completely randomized design with eight plants per plot and four replications. Plots were separated by two guard plants. Fresh market and saladette tomatoes were analyzed separately. Plant Care Plots were irrigated daily and pests controlled using standard commercial practices.

122 Harvest and Data Collection Harvest was conducted four times: August 21, August 28, September 2, and September 9. Fruit was graded and weighed for each category. Pressure readings were taken on the third harvest on 10 ripe, number one large fruit from each plot. Pressure readings were made using an IMADA Series DPS push/pull force gauge equipped with a 12 mm diameter tip. Results In general, 2008 was a difficult year for tomato production in southwest Michigan. May and June were cool, which delayed planting two weeks. The rest of the season continued to be cool, and during peak production the trial experienced 10 inches of rain with 6.79 inches coming from September 12 to 15. Due to the extreme amount of cracking and lowered fruit quality caused by rain, a decision was made to stop at four harvests. The two saladette tomatoes were statistically different only in yield of number two fruit where BSS-712 was higher than ‘Tormenta’ (Table 1). However, significant differences were found in all traits measured in the fresh market varieties (Table 2). Total yield ranged from 1,612 to 2,341 cartons per acre. ‘Mountain Glory’ had the highest total yield; however, ‘Linda,’ SVR 1400, ‘Fletcher,’ and BSS-832 were not statistically different. ‘Mountain Glory’ also was among the leaders in yield of number one (1,294 cartons/acre), and number two fruit (474 cartons/acre), fruit weight (293 grams per fruit), and firmness (2.31 kilograms). Other leaders in yield of number one fruit were ‘Linda,’ SVR 1400, and ‘Fletcher.’ Leaders in fruit weight included BSS- 832 at 311 grams, SVR 1400, ‘Fletcher,’ and ‘Rocky Top.’ Entries with similar firmness to ‘Mountain Glory’ were ‘Linda,’ ‘Fletcher,’ and ‘Mountain Spring’. ‘Mountain Spring’ is the industry standard for southwest Michigan, accounting for about 80% of fresh market tomato production — a position it has held for more than 15 years. This trial indicates there are other genotypes southwest Michigan growers should consider trying in their production systems. Many of the newer types are equal to ‘Mountain Spring’ in the traits evaluated, and some entries are superior for some traits. Table 1. Yield (in 25-pound cartons) of 2 saladette tomato varieties grown at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2008. Plant density was 5280 plants per acre. No. 1 Total Yield Yield Yield Variety Source Fruit Firmness Yield No. 1 No. 2 Cull Weight

BSS-712 BE 2132 1256 108 537 339 2.97 Tormenta BE 1494 1035 104 275 184 3.51 lsd=0.05 ns ns ns 258 ns ns

123 Table 2. Yield (in 25-pound cartons) of 12 fresh market tomato varieties grown at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2008. Plant density was 5280 plants per acre. No. 1 Yield Yield Total Fruit Yield Yield Firmness Variety Source No. 1 No. 1 Yield Weight No. 2 Cull (kilograms) Large1 Small2 (grams)

Mt. Glory SY/RG 2341 1294 293 474 304 276 2.31 Linda SK 2166 1184 281 373 309 300 2.24 SVR 1400 RU 2053 1165 327 374 202 313 1.36 Fletcher BE 2038 1067 289 368 260 344 1.82 BSS-832 BE 2029 944 311 413 190 482 1.81 Fletcher SW 1972 1120 268 344 214 294 1.94 Polbig BE 1934 985 250 279 370 300 1.66 Townsville BE 1932 624 254 285 699 324 1.70 124 Mt. Spring SY/RG 1884 988 252 307 291 297 2.17 Rocky Top SY/RG 1788 822 290 337 269 360 1.72 Reba SK 1620 867 271 246 246 261 1.77 BHN 826 JS 1612 784 265 264 285 279 1.76 lsd=.05 376 283 44 98 130 101 0.42 1Fruit more than 2.5 inches in diameter. 2Fruit less than 2.5 inches in diameter. ABA for Transplant Height Control in Processing Tomatoes – 2008

Dr. Mark Bennett Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science 2021 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210

Test Site: OSU/OARDC North Central Ag Research Station, Fremont, Ohio Start Date: April 25, 2008 Completion Date: October 2008 Report Date: October 2008 Abstract ABA application to processing tomato transplants at the rates of 200 ppm and 400 ppm were effective in reducing transplant height prior to transplanting to the field. Height reductions were noted one week after field establishment but had no effect on height, stem diameter, field survival, or plant dry weight three weeks after transplanting. There were no differences in yield, average fruit size, or percent red fruit at harvest. Introduction Methods and Materials Processing tomatoes (‘Peto 696’) were seeded into 288-cell plug trays (plug volume 7.2 cm3) on April 25, and grown at the North Central Ag Research Station greenhouse. Soilless mix (Metro- Mix® 360) was used to produce our transplants. ABA solutions were applied at the rate of ~ 3 ml/plug according to the following treatments: untreated (water) control, 200 ppm five days prior to transplanting and one day prior to transplanting, 200 ppm five days prior to transplanting, and 400 ppm five days prior to transplanting. Plant heights and stem diameters were recorded before the ABA applications were made. Plots (25 feet long) were established in rows spaced 5 feet apart with an in-row plant spacing of 12 inches apart on May 27 using a mechanical transplanter. The soil type was a Hoytville silty clay loam. Each treatment was replicated four times. One week after transplanting, plant heights were recorded for three plants from each replication. Three weeks after transplanting, plant height, stem diameter, percent survival, and dry weights of three plants were recorded. Plant heights were again measured seven weeks after field transplanting. Plots were harvested on September 26. Red, green, and culled fruit were weighed, calculating average fruit size and percent red fruit at the time of harvest. Data were analyzed using Systat™. Results No significant differences (0.05 level) were detected for plant measurements three and seven weeks after transplanting. However, there was a significant difference in plant heights taken one

125 week after field establishment showing all the ABA treatments significantly reduced plant height compared to the untreated control (Table 1). Yields ranged from 12.9 T/A to 15.2 T/A for marketable red fruit but were not significantly different (p value = 0.195). There were no differences due to ABA treatments in green, culled fruit, average fruit size, and percent red fruit at harvest. The 2008 tomato yields at NCARS were less than half of normal due to a wet early season and very dry August. Summary ABA application to processing tomato transplants controlled height for at least one week after transplanting to the field, but did not affect plant development later in the season (data recorded at three and seven weeks after field establishment). ABA application did not adversely affect yield, average fruit size, or percent red fruit at harvest. This is consistent with results from prior years showing ABA controls plant height early on without reducing final tomato fruit yields. Conclusions ABA is effective for tomato transplant height control early in the season. ABA use could be important when spring planting may be delayed due to wet, cool growing conditions. Temporary reductions in tomato plant height can be achieved with an application of ABA without adverse effects on subsequent plant development and final yield. Recommendations Additional greenhouse and/or field work in the future could focus on the use of ABA on other vegetable transplants and to measure the duration and extent of height reduction in transplants. Other possible crops may include peppers or cucurbits. Cucurbit transplants develop quickly after seeding, and delays in transplanting to the field cause the plants to get long and leggy, requiring hand planting to establish plots in the field. ABA could also be compared to other seed/plant applied growth regulators for efficacy comparisons.

2008 Weather Data for the North Central Ag Research Station in Fremont, Ohio:

Month Average Temperature (oF) Total Precipitation May 57.7 3.99 June 71.2 4.08 July 73.5 3.90 August 70.3 0.46 September 65.7 N/A

Acknowledgements • Special thanks to Valent BioSciences Corp. for their financial support and ABA for this project. • Thanks and appreciation to Sean Mueller, Jordan Miller and the crew at NCARS for their assistance with plot establishment, maintenance and harvest.

126 Table 1. ABA height control study on processing tomatoes, Fremont, Ohio, 2008. Cultivar: 'Peto 696' 3 weeks after transplant Plt Ht pre- Dry Wt Stem Diam pre- Plant Ht Plant Ht ABA Stem (g) Treatment ABA (cm) Plant Ht Survival (cm) Treatment Diam of 3 Treatment (mm) 1 WAT (cm) (%) 7 WAT (cm) (mm) Plants

Water Control 11.8 2.65 16.2 20.8 8.08 95 15.4 43.8 200 ppm 5DBT* + 200 ppm 1DBT 11.8 2.85 13.4 20.6 7.83 92 13.1 42.5 200 ppm 5DBT* 11.8 2.75 13.2 19.6 8.25 93 15.5 41.1 400 ppm 5DBT 11.5 2.65 13.4 19.3 7.63 97 13.1 43.4 LSD (0.05) NS NS 0.63 NS NS NS NS NS p value 0.873 0.091 0.496 0.228 0.487 0.531 0.462 127 CV 4.1 4.9 9.5 7.8 5.7 5.1 21.9 6.1

YIELD DATA Average Percent Red Green Culls Treatment Fruit Red T/A T/A T/A Size (lb) Fruit

Water Control 15.2 9.3 5.2 0.09 53 200 ppm 5DBT* + 200 ppm 1DBT 13.5 8.6 4.8 0.10 50 200 ppm 5DBT* 15.1 8.3 4.7 0.10 54 400 ppm 5DBT 12.9 8.9 5.0 0.10 49 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS NS NS p value 0.195 0.899 0.906 0.617 0.591 CV 13.7 27.0 36.7 10.3 16.9 * DBT = days before transplanting

Plant Population and Cultivar Selections for Optimum Yield in Processing Tomatoes – 2008

Mark Bennett1, Elaine Grassbaugh1, and Matt Hofelich2 1Ohio State University, Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210 2OSU/OARDC North Central Ag Research Station 1165 CR 43, Fremont, OH 43420

Objective To test three processing tomato cultivars planted at three plant populations for optimum yields and quality. Materials and Methods Transplants of three processing tomato cultivars (‘TSH 4,’ ‘Gem 331,’ and ‘H9704’) were obtained from Hirzel’s and planted to the field at the North Central Ag Research Station in Fremont, Ohio. Variety selection was based on using an early, mid-season, and late season maturing cultivar. Plots were established on a Hoytville silty clay loam in four replications and twin rows. Plant populations for each cultivar were 6,500, 8,700, 10,500, and 13,100 plants/A using in-row plant spacings of 32, 24, 20 and 16 inches apart, respectively. Twin rows were spaced 18 inches apart. Plants were transplanted to the field on May 22, 2008. ‘TSH 4’ and ‘Gem 331’ were machine harvested on September 4, and ‘H9704’ was machine harvested on September 23. Marketable red, green and culled fruit yields were calculated along with percent red fruit at harvest and average fruit size based on 50 fruit from each replication. Results Yields were below normal in 2008 in all varieties due to a wet spring and very hot, dry summer. The longer maturing cultivar ‘H9704’ had higher yields in all plant populations compared to ‘TSH 4’ and ‘Gem 332’ (Table 1). There were no differences in yield, average fruit size, or percent red fruit at harvest for the early maturing (‘TSH 4’) and mid-season maturing (‘Gem 331’) cultivars. Yields for ‘H9704’ showed no differences due to plant population in red or green fruit yields, average fruit size, and percent red fruit at harvest, but there was a significant difference in culled fruit with a significant increase at populations of 10,500 and 13,100 plants per acre (Table 1). Average fruit size (p=0.13) and percent red fruit (p=0.06) for ‘H9704’ tended to peak at the 8,700 plants/A density. Conclusion With increasing costs of processing tomato transplants and variations in yield potential between cultivars, more research is needed to determine the optimum plant population for specific cultivars for maximum marketable yields and cost efficiency.

128 Acknowledgements • Special thanks and appreciation to Mid-American Food Processors Association for their financial support of this project. • Appreciation is extended to Hirzel’s for supplying tomato transplants. • Special thanks to Sean Mueller, Jordan Miller, Nancy Sluder and the summer crew at the North Central Ag Research Station for their assistance with plot establishment, maintenance, and harvest.

129 Table 1. Plant Population and Cultivar Selections for Optimum Yield in Processing Tomatoes - 2008

Cultivar: 'TSH 4' In-row Average Plant Population Green Cull Percent Red Fruit Spacing Red T/A Fruit (# plants/A) T/A T/A at Harvest (inches) Size (lb.)

6,500 32 8.5 3.0 3.4 0.12 56 8,700 24 6.9 2.5 3.1 0.12 55 10,500 20 8.1 3.1 3.7 0.11 53 13,100 16 9.4 3.7 3.2 0.12 57 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS NS NS p value 0.297 0.468 0.218 0.349 0.805 CV 28.8 33.0 22.0 14.3 15.1

Cultivar: 'Gem 331' In-row Average Plant Population Green Cull Percent Red Fruit Spacing Red T/A Fruit (# plants/A) T/A T/A at Harvest (inches) Size (lb.)

6,500 32 7.1 3.8 3.8 0.11 47 8,700 24 8.1 3.4 3.7 0.11 49 10,500 20 8.3 3.2 4.3 0.10 53 13,100 16 9.7 3.0 4.0 0.10 58 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS NS NS p value 0.51 0.196 0.531 0.48 0.425 CV 36.3 29.8 15.5 18.1 20.4

Cultivar: 'Heinz 9704' In-row Average Plant Population Green Cull Percent Red Fruit Spacing Red T/A Fruit (# plants/A) T/A T/A at Harvest (inches) Size (lb.)

6,500 32 9.7 5.9 6.1 0.10 44 8,700 24 14.1 5.2 5.2 0.12 53 10,500 20 12.1 5.8 7.9 0.10 45 13,100 16 11.8 5.8 7.6 0.11 46 LSD (0.05) NS NS 1.34 NS NS p value 0.21 0.41 0.13 0.06 CV 51.5 18.6 22 25.5 15.7

130 Performance of Conventionally- and Organically-grown Grafted ‘Celebrity’ Tomato in Ohio in 2008

Matthew D. Kleinhenz, David M. Francis, Michelle Young, Troy Aldrich, and Sonia Walker Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Wooster, Ohio

Introduction Abiotic and biotic stresses preclude crop varieties from displaying their full genetic potential and fuel the development of new, improved varieties. New varieties offer superior yield and/or quality but variety development is time-consuming, expensive, technically-demanding, and marked by compromise since gains in one attribute can be offset by declines in another. Grafting is a proven technique for enhancing crop genetic potential but it is under-utilized in U.S. field and high tunnel vegetable production. Grafting quickly and directly combines the traits of rootstocks and scions, bypassing some barriers to variety improvement but raising questions dealing with the compatibility of rootstocks and scions, performance (e.g., vigor, yield) of grafted plants relative to their ungrafted counterparts, fruit quality (e.g., sensory, chemical makeup), and other issues. Consensus views are that grafted plants often outperform ungrafted control plants under stressful conditions, that additional work is required to enhance the use of grafted plants on U.S. vegetable farms and that fresh market tomato is an excellent system for the study and wider implementation of grafting. Therefore, our team set out to (1) facilitate tomato rootstock development; (2) explain rootstock, scion, soil, and production system effects on plant responses to stress; and (3) equipped with novel research-based information, contribute to increases in the knowledge and use of grafting. As an early step, we documented the yield of conventionally and organically grown grafted and ungrafted ‘Celebrity’ in 2008. Rootstock-scion compatibility, plant vigor, and fruit quality were also evaluated but are not reported here. Materials and Methods Production of Grafted Seedlings A total of 33 lines or varieties were used in this project as either a rootstock (RS), scion (SC), or both. Twenty-nine lines (FGH02-188, FL 7775, H 7998, LA 1589, LA 407, LA 716, MR 13, SGHO7-303, SGHO7-304, SGHO7-305, SGHO7-310, SGHO7-312, SGHO7-313, SGHO7-314, SGHO7-315, SGHO7-316, SGHO7-317, SGHO7-318, SGHO7-319, SGHO7-320, SGHO7-321, SGHO7-323, SGHO7-326, SGHO7-327, SGHO7-332, SGHO7-333, SGHO7-335, SGHO7-336, and SGHO7-338) and one variety (‘VFNT Cherry’) were contributed by the OSU-OARDC Francis Tomato Breeding and Genetics Program and used exclusively as rootstocks. ‘Maxifort’ and ‘Beaufort’ were supplied by Deruiter Seed Company and used only as rootstocks. ‘Celebrity’ supplied by Johnny’s Selected Seeds was grafted to ‘Celebrity” and all other rootstocks as the scion and grown ungrafted. All seed was untreated and some was certified-organic. Note that

131 ‘Celebrity’ was the only SC and was grafted to 33 RS, including itself. Hereafter in this report, “genotype” refers to a unique RS-SC combination. All operations were completed in a climate-controlled greenhouse using certifiable organic methods. Scion seed was sown seven consecutive weeks from February 25 to April 7, 2008, and RS seed was sown five consecutive weeks from March 3 to 31, 2008. Forty-cell trays were used for the first RS seeding, while 288-cell trays were used for all subsequent seedings of RS and SC. Five weeks after sowing RS seed, RS seedlings were transplanted to 40-cell flats containing a 1:3 v:v mixture of organic potting soil and compost. One week later, RS and SC seedlings were grafted using the cleft graft method. Major steps of the cleft method here included: 1. Select healthy RS and SC seedlings containing a similar stem diameter 2. Use a new, clean razor blade to decapitate RS seedlings with a horizontal cut approximately 5 mm below the cotyledons 3. Bisect the truncated RS stem at its widest diameter to a depth of 4 mm 4. De-root SC seedlings with a horizontal cut approximately 5 mm above the cotyledons 5. Trim the cut surface of the SC seedling to the shape of a wedge containing sides approximately 4 mm long 6. Insert the trimmed SC into the vertical slit of the RS 7. Secure graft with a 12-19 mm-long clear plastic clip cut from 3/32 inch ID Tygon-brand plastic tubing (tubing lengths cut lengthwise to allow wrapping around graft) Newly-grafted plants were placed in a high humidity chamber consisting of a 5.5 m x 1.2 m greenhouse bench topped with 0.08-mm thick plastic, 3-mm thick capillary mat and a 5.5 m x 1.2 m x 0.7 m frame made of 3/4-inch PVC covered with 0.08-mm thick clear plastic and shade cloth (60% reduction in ambient light intensity). The capillary mat and grafted plants were kept moist with distilled water and plants remained in this chamber for five to nine days after grafting. Thereafter, plants were transferred to a similar chamber lacking the capillary mat and shade cloth and more infrequently watered (chamber 2, medium light and humidity) and held for one week. Approximately two weeks after grafting, plants were transferred to ambient greenhouse conditions typified by lower humidity and higher light levels and held until being placed outdoors under a shaded patio in preparation for planting in the field. Field Plot Establishment Grafted transplants were employed in studies conducted at the OSU-OARDC North Central Agricultural Research Station (NCARS) in Fremont, Ohio and at the OARDC in Wooster, Ohio. NCARS - Fremont Consistent with its long-term history, land used in the NCARS project was managed conventionally. Plot establishment was preceded by fall 2007 and spring 2008 broadcast applications of 200 lb/A 10-52-0, 400 lb/A 0-0-60, and 10 lb/A 10% Boron (fall) and 350 lb/A of 28-0-0, respectively. The project contained twenty-three genotypes and the ungrafted ‘Celebrity’ control (Table 1); sixteen and seven genotypes were included in three and two replications, respectively. The study area contained eight standard raised beds, each 188 feet long and punctuated every 32 feet by 20-foot-wide alleys and separated by adjacent beds by 2.5 feet. Single-row plots

132 measuring 16 ft long, containing eight plants of a given genotype and arranged in a randomized complete block design were established by hand on these beds on June 18. Plants were set such that the graft union remained approximately 2.5 cm above the soil line. Plants were staked and twined using the Florida Weave system at planting and twined three additional times by August 6. All plants were pruned. Shoots below or at the graft union were removed on July 22 and August 19, and all secondary shoots above the graft union but within the first five nodes were removed on July 22. Weed pressure was minimized with a pre-emergent herbicide and hand cultivation. Disease and insect pressure were minimized by the weekly use of labeled crop protectants between June 25 and August 21. Overhead irrigation totaling approximately 7.62 cm for the study period was applied through portable commercial sprinklers on August 7, 18, and 27. Total rainfall for the study period equaled 20.8 cm (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/newweather/). OARDC - Wooster Consistent with its history since 2001, land used in the OARDC-Wooster project was managed using certifiable-organic methods. The project contained thirty-three genotypes and the ungrafted ‘Celebrity’ control (Table 2); twenty-nine and four genotypes were included in two and one replication(s), respectively. The study area contained sixteen standard raised beds, each 110 ft long, topped with standard black plastic mulch and drip irrigation tape on June 2 and separated by adjacent beds by 2.5 ft. Plots measuring 20 ft long, containing ten plants of a given genotype and arranged in a randomized complete block design were established by hand on these beds on June 6. Plants were set through 10-cm diameter holes in the plastic such that the graft union remained approximately 2.5 cm above the soil line. Grafted plants were hand-watered and fertilized (4 lb N/A via injection) at planting. Plants were staked and twined using the Florida Weave system at planting and twined five additional times by July 29. All plants were pruned. Shoots below or at the graft union were removed on July 14 and August 7 and all suckers above the graft union within the first five nodes were removed on July 10 and 16. Weed pressure was minimized with hand cultivation and the establishment of an approximately six-inch layer of unaltered organic wheat straw to the study area by August 5. Disease and insect pressure were minimized by five applications of organically-labeled crop protectants July 11-September 3 if populations exceeded anticipated economic thresholds based on scouting. Drip irrigation totaling approximately 11.6 cm for the study period was applied in 14 installments June 6-September 22 with liquid 2-4-1 fertilizer (4 lb N/A) injected into all irrigation lines five times at weekly intervals July 17-August 4. The total rainfall for the study period was 35.5 cm (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/newweather/). Data Collection and Analysis Fruit at stage 5 or 6 of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association-USDA-California Tomato Commission Ripeness Chart were removed by hand from all plants in each plot in Fremont and the center eight plants of each plot in Wooster and transferred immediately to “barn” conditions until evaluation beginning within 36 hours of removal. Plots were harvested six times in Fremont between August 29 and October 2, and seven times in Wooster between

133 August 26 and October 6. Direct measures of total fruit weight and marketable fruit weight were recorded for all genotypes for all harvests. All fruit were evaluated by the same two people for 12 of 13 harvests; fruit containing no-minimal evidence of physiological disorders (growth cracks, zippers, blossom end rot), sunburn or damage due to insects or diseases were considered marketable. Plant survivorship, height, and vigor measurements were taken twice at biweekly intervals at both locations before the first fruit harvest. Foliar and fruit disease ratings were recorded during active vegetative growth and at all harvests. For harvests three and four at each location, ten stage 6 fruit per plot were retained for measures of Brix (% solids), pH, and titratable acidity. And all green fruit of marketable size remaining on Wooster-grown plants after harvest on October 6 were removed on October 7 in order to develop estimates of total plant productivity. These data are reported elsewhere. Fruit number and weight by category (total, marketable) recorded for each plot at each harvest were converted to yield (tons/A). Per-plot values were used to calculate harvest-specific genotype mean values. These means and their standard errors are given in Tables 1-4. Results The total and marketable yield of ‘Celebrity’ fruit varied with site, harvest, and rootstock. Variation between sites and among harvests is common in typical, ungrafted crops so the performance of grafted plants within harvests is the focus of this evaluation. Examining data from within each harvest at both locations reveals that the yield of grafted plants, regardless of rootstock, tended to be lower than the yield of ungrafted plants at the first harvest. However, this trend was reduced at subsequent harvests when, by the last two harvests at each location, the total and marketable yield from grafted plants exceeded the yield from ungrafted control plants in eighty of 220 cases. Also, grafting ‘Celebrity’ to experimental rootstocks often resulted in numerically or statistically higher yield values relative to grafting ‘Celebrity’ to either itself or the commercially available rootstocks ‘Beaufort,’ ‘Maxifort,’ and ‘VFNT Cherry,’ regardless of growing location. Acknowledgments We appreciate the support of the following grants, organizations, units and partners: USDA-Integrated Organic Program grant #00007708, OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program, Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program, OSU-OARDC, OSU Extension, OSU Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, and Ohio Earth Food, Inc. We would also like to thank Natalie Bumgarner, Rosa Raudales, Freddy Cruz, Alba Clivati- McIntyre, Jerrod Weyer, Matt Hochmuth, Torri Leach, James Howell, Lisa Robbins, Lee Duncan, Kesia Hartzler, Bob Napier, Bruce Williams, John Elliot and the OARDC HCS Farm Crew, Gerald Reid and the OARDC Farm Operations Crew, Fulya Baysal-Gurel, Jhony Mera, Matt Hofelich and the NCARS Crew, Jacob Schleppi, and Yoders Produce and Supply for their excellent technical contributions.

134 Table 1. Rootstock effects on the mean total yield (ton/A) of grafted ‘Celebrity’ tomato grown at the NCARS in Fremont, OH in 2008. Total Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6

Beaufort 0.26 0.26 6.31 1.72 1.71 6.51 Celebrity 0.13 0.28 3.65 2.41 1.61 2.78 FGH02-188 0.12 0.28 6.25 1.29 1.38 3.49 FL 7775 0.07 0.17 1.86 1.27 1.16 3.08 LA 1589 0.26 0.20 7.71 1.97 1.21 2.35 LA 716 0.06 0.14 2.54 0.64 0.71 1.94 Maxifort 0.17 0.26 2.84 2.37 1.76 6.01 MR 13 0.23 0.18 3.63 2.23 1.50 3.41 SGH07-304 0.16 0.25 6.08 2.23 1.55 3.58 SGH07-305 0.10 0.14 2.65 1.29 1.25 2.67 SGH07-313 0.13 0.24 5.87 2.59 1.59 5.35 SGH07-314 0.10 0.29 3.84 2.31 2.24 5.20 SGH07-316 0.05 0.41 3.13 2.12 2.25 4.64 SGH07-319 0.23 0.28 5.31 2.31 1.89 4.55 SGH07-320 0.01 0.33 4.63 2.49 2.08 9.76 SGH07-326 0.07 0.30 6.15 1.62 1.35 2.49 SGH07-327 0.13 0.21 3.75 1.97 1.76 2.95 SGH07-332 0.12 0.19 2.98 1.95 1.81 5.00 SGH07-333 0.14 0.21 5.02 2.11 1.68 3.88 SGH07-335 0.14 0.39 4.17 2.14 1.72 3.53 SGH07-336 0.13 0.19 3.80 2.14 1.75 4.21 SGH07-338 0.11 0.23 4.51 2.73 2.09 4.04 Ungrafted 0.55 0.40 6.98 1.17 1.92 3.95 VFNT Cherry 0.21 0.13 3.98 0.91 1.16 3.54 mean 0.15 0.25 4.48 1.92 1.63 4.12 standard error 0.02 0.02 0.32 0.11 0.08 0.34

135 Table 2. Rootstock effects on the mean marketable yield (ton/A) of grafted ‘Celebrity’ tomato grown at the NCARS in Fremont, OH in 2008. Marketable Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6

Beaufort 0.07 0.09 3.49 0.96 0.80 2.83 Celebrity 0.04 0.11 1.49 0.90 0.44 0.88 FGH02-188 0.02 0.13 4.14 0.52 0.69 1.53 FL 7775 0.04 0.00 0.91 0.45 0.63 1.26 LA 1589 0.10 0.06 2.72 0.46 0.54 0.78 LA 716 0.01 0.02 0.85 0.21 0.37 0.54 Maxifort 0.04 0.07 1.26 1.31 1.01 2.52 MR 13 0.06 0.06 1.55 1.19 0.71 1.33 SGH07-304 0.04 0.06 2.94 1.31 0.69 1.39 SGH07-305 0.00 0.05 0.94 0.30 0.37 0.69 SGH07-313 0.02 0.13 2.73 1.73 0.60 2.68 SGH07-314 0.04 0.10 1.98 1.19 1.34 2.50 SGH07-316 0.00 0.14 1.34 0.92 1.22 1.58 SGH07-319 0.07 0.05 2.96 1.52 1.09 2.05 SGH07-320 0.00 0.15 2.38 1.33 1.05 4.00 SGH07-326 0.01 0.15 3.58 0.78 0.86 1.12 SGH07-327 0.03 0.09 2.26 1.06 0.74 1.27 SGH07-332 0.05 0.04 1.32 0.70 0.78 1.95 SGH07-333 0.02 0.11 2.89 1.06 0.88 1.63 SGH07-335 0.06 0.16 2.41 1.07 0.99 1.66 SGH07-336 0.06 0.08 1.95 1.23 0.84 2.19 SGH07-338 0.03 0.10 1.99 1.60 1.15 1.94 Ungrafted 0.17 0.15 4.71 0.61 1.01 1.86 VFNT Cherry 0.13 0.07 2.29 0.14 0.65 1.70 mean 0.05 0.09 2.29 0.94 0.81 1.74 standard error 0.01 0.01 0.21 0.09 0.05 0.16

136 Table 3. Rootstock effects on the mean total fruit yield (ton/A) of grafted ‘Celebrity’ tomato grown organically at the OARDC in Wooster, OH in 2008. Total Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7

Beaufort 0.27 0.49 1.21 3.29 3.25 1.33 0.85 Celebrity 0.28 0.31 1.42 2.52 3.27 2.68 0.99 FGH02-188 0.24 0.49 1.05 2.59 3.74 1.51 0.62 FL 7775 0.06 0.12 0.72 2.18 2.85 1.82 1.22 H 7998 0.17 0.33 0.64 1.88 3.05 4.35 1.16 LA 1589 0.27 0.34 1.47 2.96 3.50 1.54 0.92 LA 716 0.21 0.43 1.15 2.57 2.67 1.94 0.42 LA 407 0.03 0.12 0.52 1.47 1.35 0.82 0.77 Maxifort 0.06 0.15 0.74 1.40 4.46 3.15 1.54 MR 13 0.25 0.44 1.10 2.24 4.64 3.22 0.89 SGH 07-303 0.23 0.48 1.52 2.60 2.49 1.30 0.38 SGH 07-304 0.13 0.29 0.75 2.75 4.04 2.16 0.66 SGH 07-305 0.12 0.26 0.96 1.42 2.68 1.24 0.15 SGH 07-310 0.32 0.49 0.74 2.96 3.93 2.76 1.30 SGH 07-312 0.31 0.40 1.17 2.92 3.06 1.47 1.11 SGH 07-313 0.30 0.40 0.57 1.47 5.32 2.98 0.98 SGH 07-314 0.18 0.39 1.11 2.68 4.07 3.31 1.09 SGH 07-315 0.11 0.81 1.48 2.44 2.64 1.74 1.67 SGH 07-316 0.33 0.54 0.99 3.38 3.13 2.09 1.00 SGH 07-317 0.27 0.44 1.07 2.29 3.85 1.82 1.13 SGH 07-318 0.13 0.72 1.95 2.37 2.15 0.88 0.44 SGH 07-319 0.42 0.61 0.94 2.54 4.32 1.66 1.47 SGH 07-320 0.19 0.44 0.64 3.49 4.19 1.84 1.51 SGH 07-321 0.16 0.44 1.04 2.31 4.79 1.78 1.81 SGH 07-323 0.21 0.18 0.56 1.74 3.30 1.12 1.11 SGH 07-326 0.29 0.51 1.54 2.41 2.76 1.59 1.23 SGH 07-327 0.18 0.60 1.37 3.06 3.15 1.48 0.51 SGH 07-332 0.13 0.23 0.78 3.39 4.23 1.94 0.97 SGH 07-333 0.09 0.49 0.96 2.10 3.15 2.09 1.42 SGH 07-335 0.39 0.46 1.09 2.47 3.04 1.87 0.70 SGH 07-336 0.36 0.48 0.84 2.79 3.20 2.30 0.84 SGH 07-338 0.18 0.45 1.05 2.26 3.04 1.83 1.58

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137 Table 3 (continued) Total Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7

Ungrafted 0.54 0.70 0.72 2.12 3.97 1.98 0.90 VFNT Cherry 0.28 0.31 0.79 1.55 3.59 2.26 0.54 mean 0.23 0.42 1.02 2.43 3.44 2.00 1.00 standard error 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.10 0.14 0.13 0.07

Table 4. Rootstock effects on the mean marketable yield (ton/A) of grafted ‘Celebrity’ tomato grown organically at the OARDC in Wooster, OH in 2008. Marketable Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7

Beaufort 0.11 0.32 0.70 2.36 2.53 1.10 0.66 Celebrity 0.08 0.18 0.90 2.00 2.54 2.10 0.71 FGH02-188 0.08 0.24 0.60 1.85 2.80 1.09 0.34 FL 7775 0.01 0.08 0.38 1.37 1.71 1.22 0.73 H 7998 0.03 0.20 0.36 1.09 2.14 2.99 0.73 LA 1589 0.05 0.25 0.91 2.40 2.79 1.35 0.62 LA 716 0.00 0.13 0.49 0.98 1.16 0.88 0.13 LA 407 0.01 0.16 0.40 1.58 1.55 1.11 0.56 Maxifort 0.00 0.03 0.43 0.93 3.14 2.01 0.79 MR 13 0.08 0.15 0.67 1.59 3.40 2.40 0.61 SGH 07-303 0.02 0.28 0.77 1.59 1.75 0.93 0.19 SGH 07-304 0.04 0.17 0.37 1.79 3.24 1.68 0.48 SGH 07-305 0.00 0.07 0.31 0.67 1.29 0.84 0.05 SGH 07-310 0.00 0.40 0.34 2.31 2.98 1.83 0.66 SGH 07-312 0.05 0.20 0.85 2.13 2.36 1.02 0.62 SGH 07-313 0.07 0.21 0.46 1.04 3.59 2.04 0.58 SGH 07-314 0.06 0.22 0.70 1.91 3.25 2.04 0.65 SGH 07-315 0.00 0.47 0.74 1.68 1.94 1.02 0.49 SGH 07-316 0.13 0.35 0.77 2.63 2.37 1.51 0.68 SGH 07-317 0.10 0.19 0.67 1.54 2.73 1.40 0.59 SGH 07-318 0.00 0.32 0.88 1.72 1.47 0.57 0.13 SGH 07-319 0.19 0.42 0.70 1.81 3.37 7.91 0.84 SGH 07-320 0.02 0.20 0.34 2.68 2.93 1.24 0.82 SGH 07-321 0.07 0.25 0.60 1.60 4.06 1.40 1.20 SGH 07-323 0.00 0.07 0.26 0.98 1.80 0.42 0.49

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138 Table 4. Rootstock effects on the mean marketable yield (ton/A) of grafted ‘Celebrity’ tomato grown organically at the OARDC in Wooster, OH in 2008. Marketable Fruit Yield (ton/A) by Harvest (H)1 Rootstock H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7

SGH 07-326 0.10 0.35 0.97 1.73 2.16 1.18 0.62 SGH 07-327 0.09 0.37 0.84 2.39 2.47 1.07 0.29 SGH 07-332 0.02 0.13 0.47 2.30 3.00 1.54 0.70 SGH 07-333 0.04 0.28 0.56 1.59 2.40 1.55 0.70 SGH 07-335 0.05 0.27 0.42 1.47 1.87 1.01 0.40 SGH 07-336 0.10 0.23 0.44 1.62 2.39 1.54 0.47 SGH 07-338 0.03 0.21 0.47 1.50 2.27 1.37 0.84 Ungrafted 0.16 0.41 0.37 1.41 2.72 1.37 0.68 VFNT Cherry 0.04 0.16 0.33 0.83 2.12 1.23 0.32 mean 0.05 0.23 0.57 1.68 2.48 1.59 0.57 standard error 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.09 0.12 0.21 0.04

139 Grafted Watermelon Performance in Kentucky

Nathan Howell, Amy L Poston, Nathan Howard, and Timothy Coolong, UK Department of Horticulture

Introduction Although not often observed in the U.S., grafting of vegetables is relatively common in much of Asia and parts of Europe. In some Asian countries such as South Korea, more than 80% of melons are grafted (Lee and Oda, 2003). Although labor intensive, grafting allows farmers in these countries to overcome many soilborne pathogens such as Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt and nematodes, without the use of large amounts of synthetic pesticides. In addition to disease resistance, grafting of vigorous rootstocks to traditional vegetable cultivars often increases yield, and water and nutrient uptake. Recently, the practice of grafting watermelons has increased in popularity in the southeast United States. Growers in South Carolina are successfully using disease resistant cucurbit rootstocks to double crop watermelons. While labor intensive, the practice has been shown to be economically viable for growers who wish to double crop melons on the same land in one year. This study was undertaken to determine the performance of grafted melons in Kentucky. Materials and Methods The watermelon ‘Sugar Baby’ was used as the scion for grafting and two rootstocks. ‘Shintosa Camel,’ an interspecific hybrid squash, and ‘Macis,’ a Lagenaria (gourd), were used as rootstocks. Both rootstocks were made available from Nunhems Seeds. The watermelon ‘Sugar Baby’ was seeded into 128 cell trays on 24 April, 2008. The two rootstocks were seeded approximately one week later into 128 cell trays. The grafts between the ‘Sugar Baby’ scion and ‘Shintosa Camel’ rootstock were performed on 5 May, while the ‘Sugar Baby’ to ‘Macis’ grafts were performed on 19 May, and ‘Sugar Baby’ self-grafts were performed on 20 May. Grafts were performed as follows: the rootstock and scion stems were cut at 45o angles, put together, and held in place using commercially available plastic grafting clips (Johnny’s Seeds). Immediately after grafting, plants were placed on a mist bench and covered with plastic and heavy black shade cloth. This was done to keep the humidity high, without having water sitting on the plants. Shade cloth was used to prevent heat stress on the grafted plants. After ten days, plants were removed from the mist environment and placed in a greenhouse. Plants were transplanted to the field on 13 June; transplants were placed on black plastic mulch with drip irrigation. The study was arranged as a randomized complete block design with four replications of seven plants for each treatment with the exception of the self-grafted treatment. Due to a lack of plant materials, the self grafted treatments consisted of four replications of five plants each. Plants were spaced 24 inches apart in row, and rows were on 6-foot centers. Weed control was accomplished by broadcasting annual ryegrass at the rate of 100 lbs per acre with a mixture of 50 lbs per acre of sorghum sudangrass prior to laying plastic. The grass mixture was then sprayed post-transplant with Gramoxone Max 3L at the rate of 2 pt per acre with a shielded spray; an additional application of 2 pt per acre of Strategy 2.1 E was applied three weeks after transplanting. Pre-plant fertilizer was applied at the rate of 500 lbs of 10-20-20 per acre; the remaining required nitrogen was applied on a weekly basis through drip irrigation at the rate of 32 lbs an acre per week in the form of calcium nitrate. The plants were watered by an automated

140 system that watered once a day; the plot was watered at the rate of 1 acre inch of irrigation water per week, per acre. Capture 2 EC and Endosulfan 3 EC were used in rotation on a weekly basis from transplant until a week before projected harvest for control of insects. Capture 2 EC was used at the rate of 4 fl oz per acre, while Endosulfan 3 EC was used at the 2 pt per acre rate. Once vines began to run plants were sprayed with fungicides on a weekly rotation of 11 fl oz per acre of Quadris, 2 pts per acre of Chlorothalonil, and/or 2 lbs per acre of Mancozeb. Melons were first harvested 21 August, and a second harvest was needed on 29 August. Harvest was determined by a dead tendril at the point where the fruit attaches to the vine, along with a yellow ground spot. At harvest, fruit was counted, weighed, external measurements were taken, and the internal sugars were measured both near the rind and near the center of the fruit. Statistics were performed using SAS statistical software. Data was tested for normality, and transformed if necessary. Results were considered significantly different if P<0.5. Results and Discussion Grafted plants using the commercially available rootstock ‘Shintosa Camel’ had greater yields than the other treatments (Table 1). Although the self-grafted plants yielded fewer fruit per acre than the other treatments, there was no significant difference among the treatments with regard to fruit number per acre. Average fruit weight was highest in all of the grafted treatments. While plants grafted to the commercial rootstocks had slightly higher average fruit weights than the self grafted plants, they were not significantly different. This suggests that the act of simply grafting the ‘Sugar Baby’ melons increased fruit yield, regardless of the rootstock used. Soluble solids (sugars) were also significantly higher in all the grafted treatments when compared to the non- grafted control plants. Although the vigor of the commercially available rootstock seedlings were greater than the ‘Sugar Baby’ seedlings, it seems as if the act of grafting the plant may have had more of an effect on traits such as fruit size and sugar content than the actual rootstock that was used. However, it should be noted that during the grafting process the ‘Sugar Baby’ plants grafted to the commercial rootstocks had a much higher percentage of success (90%, data not shown) than those ‘Sugar Baby’ seedlings that were self grafted (50% success rate). Nonetheless, those plants grafted to the ‘Shintosa Camel’ rootstock did yield significantly more per acre than the other treatments. The higher yield of this treatment was likely a combination of rootstock vigor and the act of grafting, which seems to promote larger fruit. Similar results have been reported elsewhere (Cohen et al., 2005; Lee and Oda, 2003). The hot, dry weather encountered during this growing season resulted in large numbers of spider mites. To determine if there was an effect of the treatments on mite damage, ratings were taken on 13 and 20 August. Interestingly, while the non-grafted control plants were severely infested with spider mites (Table 2), spider mite levels were relatively low on the grafted treatments. This suggests that regardless of rootstock used, the act of grafting made those plants either more resistant to spider mites or simply less attractive. It is plausible that the act of grafting the ‘Sugar Baby’ melons may have initiated a stress response in those plants. The results from this trial suggest that grafting may be used to increase fruit yield and quality in some melons. However, more research is necessary to determine if grafting is economically feasible for Kentucky farmers.

141 Literature Cited Cohen, R., Y. Burger, C. Horev, A. Porat, and M. Edelstein. 2005. Peformance of Galia-type melons grafted on to Curcurbita rootstock in Monosporascus cannonballus-infested and no- infested soils. Ann. Appl. Biol. 146:381-387. Lee, J.M., and M. Oda. 2003. Grafting of herbaceous vegetable and ornamental crops. Hort. Rev. 28:61-125. Table 1. Performance of grafted melons in 2008. Avg Avg. Avg. Sugars Sugars Yield Avg. No Treatment Fruit Wt Length Width (close to (interior) (cwt/A)1 (Melons/A) (lb) (in) (in) rind) (%) (%)

Non 434 b* 8,571 a 5.4 b 20.5 b 20.0 b 7.9 b 8.7 b grafted Self Graft 488 b 6,960 a 6.7 a 21.7 a 22.4 a 8.3 ab 9.1 ab Macis 542 b 8,572 a 7.3 a 22.8 a 22.2 a 8.8 a 9.4 a Rootstock Shintosa Camel 654 a 8,614 a 7.6 a 23.0 a 22.2 a 8.4 a 9.1 ab Rootstock *Treatments followed by different letters are statistically different with P<0.05. 1cwt/A= 100 pound units/acre. Table 2. Spider mite damage on grafted melons in 2008. Mite Damage Mite Damage Treatment Ratings 13 Ratings 20 Aug. (1-5)1 Aug. (1-5)

Non grafted 4.0 a* 5.0 a Self Graft 1.5 b 2.0 c Macis Rootstock 1.0 b 2.25 bc Shintosa Camel 1.5 b 2.75 b Rootstock * Treatments followed by different letters are statistically different with P<0.05. 11=little or no visible infestation, 5=severe infestation.

142 2008 Fresh Market Vegetable Varieties Trial Report Brad R. Bergefurd, Dr. Shawn Wright, Thom Harker, Wayne Lewis, Al Welch, Lynn Miller The Ohio State University South Centers 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661-9749 Phone: (740) 289-2071

Fresh market vegetable variety trials were conducted at the OSU South Centers research farm in Piketon, Ohio during the 2008 growing season. This was a good year to evaluate varieties under one of the hottest and driest growing seasons on record at Piketon. Even though plant stress was high due to these growing conditions most evaluated varieties performed well. All trials except the ornamental corn were irrigated as needed. Each variety and experimental line was grown in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the Ohio Vegetable Production Guide (OSU Bulletin 672). All experiments were evaluated in either a randomized complete block design with four replications or as a single row observation planting with no replications. Field trials were conducted on ornamental corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins, summer squash, bell pepper, fresh market tomato, grape tomato, and cucumbers. The objectives were to rate and observe specific genetic lines for their production and marketing characteristics. This report highlights results of the trials. These field trials were highlighted and tours given at the Annual Horticulture Field night held on August 14 where more than 115 growers and industry professionals were able to walk the trials and view the entries. A Pumpkin Twilight tour was conducted of the pumpkin trials and ornamental corn trials on October 16 where more than 50 growers and industry professionals were able to walk the trials and view the entries. Also, these field trials were highlighted at numerous tours and visits by OSUE and OARDC administration, government officials, individual growers, cooperating seed companies, international visitors, scientists, and scholars. Results Watermelon Eight varieties were tested: HMX 4915, Crunchy Red, Tri X Brand 313, SP-4, Melody, AX 3022, Harmony, and Lantha. There was no statistical difference among average fruit weight or marketable tons per acre. Planting of this trial was delayed to observe performance for a late season harvest window. Fresh Market Tomato Twelve varieties were tested: SVR 1400, HMX 6830, Scarlet Red, HMX 7838, Mountain Glory, Rocky Top, SRV 01701236, SRV 01721400, Phoenix, Biltmore, Polbig, and Fletcher. There was no statistical difference in average total pounds of fruit per acre. The average fruit weight among varieties was not statistically different. Average fruit weight was 0.66 pound.

The authors wish to thank the Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program and cooperating seed companies for providing funding and support of this project. 143 Grape Tomato One grape tomato variety HMX 6830 was tested with the average pounds of fruit per acre at 92,250 pounds. Average fruit weight was 1.9 ounces. Pumpkins • Three varieties were tested: Gladiator, Spartan, and Camaro. Camaro had the fewest number of orange fruit per acre (1,000) and the fewest pounds of orange fruit per acre (16,104). Average fruit size for all entries ranged between 15 and 19 pounds. • Ten varieties were planted as observation trials only by seed company request: Treasure, Progress, Packer, Capital, Superior, Summit, Warlock, Magic Wand, Field Trip, and Gargoyle. Summer Squash Three varieties were tested: Payroll, Spineless Beauty, and Paycheck. Two varieties were planted as observation trials only by seed company request: Reward and HMX7726. Six varieties were tested for powdery mildew resistance: Gentry, Spineless Beauty, Sunglo, Amatista, Payroll, and Envy. Ornamental Corn Seven varieties were tested: Autumn Explosion, RBV 1002 UR, RBV 8000, RBV 3004, RBV1002SL, Redi Maize, and RBV 1009N. Six varieties were planted as observation trials only by seed company request: RBV 1402BL, RBV 5000, RBV 1009SL, RBV 1302R, RBV 4000, and RBV 7000. There was no statistical difference among marketable ears per acre, average ear length, or average ear width. Cantaloupe Four varieties were tested: Aphrodite, Athena, Pixie, and RML 0409. Early season cucumber beetle and bacterial wilt disease pressure was heavy even with following recommended cultural practices. Pixie seemed more susceptible to bacterial wilt disease and was not included in the data analysis. Average total fruit per acre was statistically different among varieties with RML 0409 producing 11,111 fruit per acre. Aphrodite (5,278 fruit per acre) and Athena (6,667 fruit per acre) were not statistically different from each other. Bell Pepper Six varieties were tested: Declaration, Karisma, Revolution, PS 9928302, PS 09941819, and Aristotle. Average fruit weight (0.39 pound) was not statistically different among varieties. Mean pounds of medium (21,711.3), large (15,785.7), and select (3,758.9) fruit per acre were not statistically different among varieties.

144 Total pounds of fruit per acre that was statistically different among varieties:

t Grouping Mean TRTMT A 84875 Karisma A A 74571 Revolution A B A 71089 PS 09941819 B A B A 69161 Aristotle B A B A 65304 Declaration B B 51018 PS 9928302

Cucumber Seven varieties were tested: Diomede, Stonewall, Cobra, Lafayette, NUN 5523, Jackson, and Wainwright. Three varieties were planted as observation trials only by seed company request: BCS-039, HMX 7423, and Cutter. There was no statistical difference in average total number of fruit per acre (86,989.8) among varieties. Average total number of fruit per acre ranged from 68,571-99,643. There was no statistical difference in the average number of 24-count boxes of U.S. fancy per acre (1,139.843) among varieties. The average number of boxes of U.S. Fancy per acre ranged from 887.2-1,455.4. There was no statistical difference in the average number of boxes of U.S.#1 per acre (355.9) among varieties. The average number of U.S.#1 boxes per acre ranged from 194.8-417.2. There was no statistical difference in the average number of boxes of U.S.#2 per acre (212.6) among varieties. The average number of U.S.#2 boxes per acre ranged from 115.3-328.7. There was no statistical difference in the average number of boxes of total boxes per acre (1,708.4) among varieties. The average number of total boxes per acre ranged from 1,329.6-2,076.3.

Average weight (lb.) of fruit that was statistically different among varieties (LSD=0.04):

t Grouping Mean Variety A 0.46 Jackson and Wainwright B A 0.44 Lafayette and Diomede B A 0.43 NUN 5523 B 0.41 Cobra B 0.40 Stonewall

145 New Vegetable Cultivar Releases for 2008

Elaine Grassbaugh1, Mark Bennett1, and Matt Hofelich2

1Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science 2021 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210 [email protected]

2OSU/OARDC North Central Ag Research Station 1165 CR 42 Fremont, OH 43420

Objective To test new vegetable variety releases in 2008 for their performance under northwest Ohio growing conditions and to determine new releases showing pest resistance. Materials and Methods Twenty-eight varieties of various vegetable crops were planted in four replications at the North Central Ag Research Station (NCARS) in Fremont, Ohio. Cultivar selections were new releases for 2008 along with varieties considered industry standards. Much input was received from growers, seed companies, and industry personnel regarding variety selection and those used as standard comparisons. Peppers (bells, banana and jalapeno), fresh market tomatoes, plum/roma- type tomatoes, eggplant, winter squash, and gourds were included in this project. Transplants were seeded and grown at NCARS and transplanted to the field during May and June. Plots were established in four replications per cultivar on a Hoytville silty clay loam soil. Tomatoes were harvested four times, peppers three times, eggplant three times, and winter squash and gourds once. Results Seven fresh market tomato varieties were compared and we found no significant differences in yield or average fruit size. There was a significant amount of blossom end rot, bacterial spot, and bacterial speck throughout the plots. Two heritage (heirloom) tomato cultivars (‘Red Zebra’ and ‘Conestoga’) were also planted. There was a significant difference in yield and average fruit size, with ‘Conestoga’ yielding 35.4 T/A red fruit and an average fruit size of 0.41 lb, compared to ‘Red Zebra’ yielding 8.9 T/A red fruit and an average fruit size of 0.19 lb. The majority of culls in both varieties was fruit cracking (Table 1). Green yields were fruit of marketable size that were picked at the last harvest but not yet at the breaker stage. Two plum tomato varieties were tested with no significant differences in yield but a slight difference in average fruit size. Both varieties (‘Picus’ and ‘Tormenta’) were large-fruited with very few culled fruits and excellent disease resistance (Table 1). One variety each of eggplant (‘Irene’), butternut squash (‘Matilda’), and gourd (‘Lunch Lady’) were trialed as new releases for 2008. Again, they all showed good disease resistance with good marketable yields and few culled fruits (Table 1).

146 Seven varieties of bell peppers were researched. Yields ranged from 4.1 T/A to 7.3 T/A. Top yielding varieties were ‘Karisma,’ ‘Declaration,’ and ‘Flavor Burst’. Average fruit size ranged from 0.37 to 0.48 lb. Culled fruits were mainly from blossom end rot and sunscald (Table 2). Five varieties of jalapenos were tested. There were no significant differences in yield or average fruit size. Marketable yields ranged from 8.2 to 10.5 T/A with very few culled fruit in any of the varieties (Table 2). Four banana/snack type pepper varieties were included in this study. There were no significant differences in marketable yield and slight differences in cull T/A, and average fruit size. Culled fruits were due to blossom end rot (Table 2). Acknowledgements • Special thanks to the Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program for partial support of this project. • We appreciate the following companies for providing seed for this project: o Seedway o Seminis o Siegers o Orsetti o Rispen Seeds o Long & Sweet LLC o Harris Moran o Rogers • Thanks and appreciation to Jordan Miller, Sean Mueller, Nancy Sluder, and the summer crew at the North Central Ag Research Station for their assistance with seeding, planting, harvesting, and fruit grading.

147 Table 1. New Vegetable Cultivar Releases for 2008. FRESH MARKET TOMATOES Seed Marketable Cull Green Average Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) (T/A) Fruit Size (lb)

Polbig New 2008 61 day SW 14.5 32.9 3.0 0.54 Mountain Glory New 2008 70 day Rogers 18.6 29.0 4.2 0.52 Phoenix New 2007 72 day SM 15.8 28.3 3.7 0.45 Rocky Top New 2008 NA Rogers 15.6 33.2 4.2 0.49 Fletcher New 2008 74 day SW 13.2 28.5 6.2 0.47 Mountain Fresh Plus Industry Std. 77 day SW 17.2 29.3 4.9 0.54 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS NS CV 39.5 17.0 46.9 19.3

148 HEIRLOOM TOMATOES Seed Marketable Cull Green Average Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) (T/A) Fruit Size (lb)

Red Zebra New 2008 75 day Seedway 8.9 18.7 1.6 0.19 Harris Conestoga New 2008 NA 35.4 28.6 5.0 0.41 Moran LSD (0.05) 11.53 5.63 3.24 0.19 CV 72.6 24.1 89.5 39.1

Continued on next page Table 1 (continued) PLUM TOMATOES Seed Marketable Cull Green Average Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) (T/A) Fruit Size (lb)

Picus New 2007 74 day SM 47.8 11.2 5.6 0.20

Tormenta New 2008 72 day SW 56.3 6.8 7.1 0.16 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS 0.03 CV 18.3 47.2 56.2 12.9

EGGPLANT Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb) 149

Irene New 2008 65 day SW 12.0 1.8 1.0

BUTTERNUT SQUASH Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb)

Matilda New 2008 90 day SW 25.2 1.9 6.0

GOURD Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb)

Lunch Lady New 2008 120 SW 19.9 1.5 7.1 Table 2. New Vegetable Cultivar Releases for 2008. BELLS Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Description Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb)

PS9927141 Green to Red New 2008 72 day SM 4.3 4.1 0.38 PS0928302 Green to Red New 2008 75 day SM 4.1 3.1 0.45 PS1819 Green to Red New 2008 75 day SM 5.3 2.3 0.45 Karisma Green to Red New 2008 72 day SW 7.3 2.3 0.48 Declaration Green to Red New 2008 70 day SW 6.0 1.7 0.44 Aristotle Green to Red Industry Std. 70 day SM 5.2 3.3 0.46 Flavor Burst Green to Yellow New 2008 65 day SW 6.0 1.8 0.37 LSD (0.05) 1.8 1.53 NS

150 CV 37.8 50.5 16.8

JALAPENO Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Description Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb)

Regalo Jalapeno New 2008 NA Orsetti 9.3 0.2 0.05 Talon Jalapeno Industry Std. 75 day RI 8.2 1.1 0.06 Chichimeca Jalapeno New 2008 73 day SM 10.1 0.6 0.06 Chapala Jalapeno New 2008 73 day SM 9.4 0.1 0.06 Ixtapa Jalapeno Industry Std. 75 day SM 10.5 0.1 0.06 LSD (0.05) NS NS NS CV 17.5 15.4 11.7

Continued on next page Table 2 (continued) BANANA/SNACK TYPE Seed Marketable Cull Average Fruit Variety Description Status Maturity Source (T/A) (T/A) Size (lb)

Long & LS 0505 Banana New 2008 NA 7.7 0.6 0.09 Sweet LLC Long & LS 0509 Banana New 2008 NA 8.4 1.6 0.12 Sweet LLC Pageant Banana Industry Std. 70 day SI 6.9 1.8 0.11 small orange Yummy New 2008 73 day SW 5.8 0.02 0.06 snack type LSD (0.05) NS 0.51 0.10 CV 28.6 75.1 26.1 151 Authors’ Addresses Illinois Bryan Warsaw Mohammad Babadoost Department of Crop Sciences Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois N-533a Turner Hall AW-101 Turner Hall 1102 S. Goodwin 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. M/C 046 Urbana, IL 61801-4798 Urbana, IL 61801 [email protected] [email protected] Marty Williams Andrew Jurgens Department of Crop Sciences Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois N-533a Turner Hall AW-101 Turner Hall 1102 S Goodwin 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. M/C 046 Urbana, IL 61801-4798 Urbana, IL 61801 [email protected] [email protected] Indiana Mike Meyer Dan Egel Department of Crop Sciences Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center University of Illinois 4469 N. Purdue Road AW-101 Turner Hall Vincennes, IN 47591 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. (812) 886-0198 Urbana, IL 61801-4798 [email protected] [email protected] Jim Moody Elizabeth T. Maynard Department of Crop Sciences Purdue University University of Illinois 1401 U.S. Highway 421 AW-101 Turner Hall Westville, IN 46391 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. (219) 785-5673 Urbana, IL 61801-4798 [email protected] [email protected] Kentucky Maurice Ogutu Tim Coolong University of Illinois Extension University of Kentucky 6438 Joliet Road Department of Horticulture Countryside, IL 60525 N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building (708) 352-0109 North [email protected] Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Jerald K. Pataky (859) 257-3374 Department of Crop Sciences [email protected] University of Illinois AW-101 Turner Hall 1102 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801-4798 (217) 333-6606 [email protected]

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152 Authors’ Addresses (continued) Kentucky (continued) Darrell Slone Ryan Hays University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture Department of Horticulture N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building Robinson Station North 130 Robinson Road Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Jackson, KY 41339 (859) 272-5513 (606) 666-2438 Chris Smigell Nathan Howell University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture Hart County Extension Office N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building PO Box 367 North Munfordville, KY 42765-0367 Lexington, KY 40546-0091 (270) 524-2451 (859) 257-3598 [email protected] [email protected] Terry Jones John C. Snyder University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture Department of Horticulture Robinson Station N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building 130 Robinson Road North Jackson, KY 41339 Lexington, KY 40546-0091 (606) 666-2438, ext. 234 (859) 257-5635 [email protected] [email protected] Amy Poston Dave Spalding University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture Department of Horticulture N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building North North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Lexington, KY 40546-0091 (859) 272-5513 (859) 257-1273 [email protected] [email protected] Kenneth W Seebold Crystal Sparks University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Department of Plant Pathology Department of Horticulture 205 Plant Science Building Robinson Station 1405 Veterans Drive 130 Robinson Road Lexington, KY 40546 Jackson, KY 41339 (859) 257-7445, ext. 80721 (606) 666-2438 [email protected]

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153 Authors’ Addresses (continued) Kentucky (continued) Missouri John G. Strang Theresa Blank University of Kentucky Lincoln University of Missouri Department of Horticulture Cooperative Research and Extension N-318 Agricultural Sciences Building 900 Chestnut Street North Jefferson City, MO 65101 Lexington, KY 40546-0091 (573) 681-5543 (859) 257-5685 Sanjun Gu [email protected] Lincoln University of Missouri Michigan Cooperative Research and Extension Stephanie Archer 900 Chestnut Street Michigan State University Jefferson City, MO 65101 SW Michigan Research and Extension (573) 681-5524 Center [email protected] 1791 Hillandale Road North Dakota Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Walt Albus (616) 944-1477 Research Supervisor Ron Goldy Oakes Irrigation Research Site Michigan State University PO Box 531 SW Michigan Research and Oakes, ND 58474-0531 Extension Center (701) 742-2189 1791 Hillandale Road [email protected] Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Collin Auwarter (616) 944-1477 Department of Plant Sciences [email protected] North Dakota State University Darryl Warncke 266 D Loftsgard Hall MSU Soil Testing Lab Fargo, ND 58105-5051 582 Plant and Soil Science [email protected] East Lansing, MI 48824-1325 Sarah Gegner 517-355-0271, ext. 1270 North Dakota State University [email protected] 106 Walster Hall Virginia Wendzel PO Box 5638 Michigan State University Fargo, ND 58102 SW SW Michigan Research and [email protected] Extension Center Harlene Hatterman-Valenti 1791 Hillandale Road North Dakota State University Benton Harbor, MI 49022 Department of Plant Sciences (616) 944-1477 266 D Loftsgard Hall Fargo, ND 58105-5051 (701) 231-8536 [email protected]

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154 Authors’ Addresses (continued) Ohio Jim Jasinski Troy Aldrich The Ohio State University The Ohio State University OSU Extension Department of Horticulture and Crop 1512 S U.S. Highway 68 Science Urbana, OH 43078 1680 Madison Ave. (937) 484-1526 Wooster, OH 44691 [email protected] (330) 263-3811 Matthew D. Kleinhenz [email protected] The Ohio State University Mark Bennett Department of Horticulture and Crop The Ohio State University Science Department of Horticulture and Crop 1680 Madison Ave. Science Wooster, OH 44691 2021 Coffey Road (330) 263-3810 Columbus, OH 43210 [email protected] (614) 292-3864 Robert J. Precheur [email protected] The Ohio State University David M. Francis Department of Horticulture and Crop The Ohio State University Science Department of Horticulture and Crop 2001 Fyffe Court Science Columbus, OH 43210 1680 Madison Ave. (614) 292-3857 Wooster, OH 44691 [email protected] (330) 263-3893 Landon Rhodes [email protected] The Ohio State University Elaine M. Grassbaugh Plant Pathology The Ohio State University 475B Kottman Department of Horticulture and Crop 2021 Coffey Road Science Columbus, OH 43210 2021 Coffey Road (614) 292-7717 Columbus, OH 43210 [email protected] (614) 292-3858 Mac Riedel [email protected] The Ohio State University Matt Hofelich Plant Pathology OARDC North Central Ag Research 475C Kottman Station 2021 Coffey Road 1165 CR 43 Columbus, OH 43210 Fremont, OH 43420 (614) 292-1293 (419) 332-5142 [email protected] [email protected]

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155 Authors’ Addresses (continued) Ohio (continued) Pennsylvania Gretchen Sutton Michael D. Orzolek, Director The Ohio State University Penn State Center for Plasticulture OSUE-Entomology 203 Tyson Building 2501 Carmack Road The Pennsylvania State University Columbus, OH 43210 University Park, PA 16802 (614) 292-2803 (814) 863-2251 [email protected] [email protected] Sonia Walker West Virginia The Ohio State University Lewis W. Jett Department of Horticulture and Crop State Vegetable & Small Fruit Crops Science Specialist 1680 Madison Ave. West Virginia University Wooster, OH 44691 2102 Agriculture Sciences Building (330) 263-3681 Morgantown, WV 26506 [email protected] (304) 293-6131, ext. 4240 Michelle Young [email protected] The Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science 1680 Madison Ave. Wooster, OH 44691 (330) 202-3594 [email protected]

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