FALL
A
n
C
A
e
-S
A
y
TRIALS
Regional Bulletin 02
Auburn University
The University of
Georgia
Clemson University
Mississippi State
University
May 1999
LO
(0
-3
AI
N3
Co
Alabama
Agricultural
Experiment
Station
Dr. Luther Waters
Director
Auburn University
Auburn,
Alabama
b
V)
0
0)
0
1998
VEGETABLE
VARIETY

Authors
Eric Simonne
Assistant Professor
Department of Horticulture
(334) 844-3018
Edgar Vinson, III
Research Assitant
Department of Horticulture
(334) 844-3041
Joe Little
Superintendent
Lower Coastal Plain
Research Station
(334) 682-4662
Larry Wells
Superintendent
Wiregrass Research and
Extension Center
(334) 693-2363
Brian Gamble
Associate Superintendent
Wiregrass Research and
Extension Center
(334) 693-2363
Randy Akridge
Superintendent
Brewton Experimental Field
(334) 867-3139
Anthony Keinath
Associate Professor-
Vegetable Pathologist
Clemson University, Coastal
Research & Education Center
(843) 766-3761
Joseph Kemble
Associate Professor
Department of Horticulture
(334) 844-3050
Arnold Caylor
Superintendent
North Alabama Horticulture Station
(256) 734-5820
Bobby Boozer
Area Horticulturist
Department of Horticulture
(256) 646-4123
Tony Dawkins
Superintendent
Sand Mountain Research and
Extension Center
(256) 528-7133
Jim Pitts
Superintendent
Chilton Area Horticulture Station
(256) 646-3610
Marvin Ruff
Retired Associate Superintendent
Sand Mountain Research and
Extension Center
(256) 528-7133
William Terry Kelly
Extension Horticulturist-
Vegetable Crops
University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension Service
(912) 386-3442
Jason Burkett
Superintendent, Horticulture Unit
E.V. Smith Research Center
(334) 727-6159
Kent Kushman
Assistant Research Scientist
North Mississippi Research And
Extension Center
Verona, MS
(601) 566-2201
Ronald McDaniel
Superintendent
Gulf Coast Research and
Extension Center
(334) 928-2740
Malcom Pegues
Assistant Superintendent
Gulf Coast Research and
Extension Center
(334) 928-2740
Randal Rawls
Superintendent
Upper Coastal Plain
Research Station
(256) 487-2150
Jim Bannon
Director
E.V. Smith Research Center
(334) 727-7403
Contents
Authors 2
Introduction: Interpreting Results from Regional Vegetable Variety Trials 3
Cantaloupe Cultivar Observation in Northern Mississippi 5
Pumpkin Varieties Yield Well in Georgia Mountains 7
Latest Pumpkin Varieties Show Tolerance to Powdery Mildew 
9
Summer Heat Affects Pumpkin Variety Performance in Central Alabama 
10
Georgia Carrot Yields Vary Between Hand-Harvested Plots
and Mechanically Harvested Strips 14
Despite Potential, 'L-89-110' Sweetpotato Unlikely to be Named 17
Irish Potatoes 'LaRouge' and 'NDO 2686-6R' Perform Well 19
'Red Giant' Mustard Gives Color to Leafy Greens Trial 21
Hot Peppers Return to Trials 23
A Broader Selection of Ornamental Corn Varieties Showcased this Year 26
Results of 1998 Southern Pea Cooperative Trials 28
Seed Sources for Alabama Trials 30
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 3
Introduction: Interpreting Results
from Regional Vegetable Variety Trials
Eric Simonne and Edgar Vinson
The fall 1998 variety trial regional bulletin includes
results from Mississippi (Mississippi State University),
Alabama (Auburn University), Georgia (University of
Georgia), and South Carolina (Clemson University). By
including results from throughout the Southeast and data
on disease reaction, this bulletin provides even more use-
ful information than earlier bulletins to a broader audi-
ence .
The crops included in this bulletin may be placed
into several groups: those crops traditionally considered
summer/fall crops, such as sweetpotato, Southern pea,
and leafy greens; relatively new crops, such as carrot and
pumpkin; and finally some spring crops, including hot
pepper and cantaloupe.
The timeliness of variety trial information is critical,
even at the regional level. Vegetable growers, seed com-
pany representatives, extension specialists and agents, as
well as consultants need the latest variety information
before they make decisions for the next growing season.
Timeliness is largely credited to the researchers and their
support people who are dedicated to excellence in veg-
etable variety evaluation.
The importance of variety selection cannot be over
emphasized: effective marketing begins with variety se-
lection. The main purpose of vegetable variety evalua-
tion is to collect information that is useful in selecting a
good variety. Here are a few tips on how to get the most
out of the vegetable variety trials results.
Open pollinated or hybrid varieties. In general, hy-
brids (also referred to as Fl) mature earlier and produce
a more uniform crop. They have improved disease and
pest or virus tolerance/resistance. F1 varieties are often
more expensive than open pollinated (OP) varieties, and
seeds cannot be collected from one crop to plant the next.
Despite the advantages hybrids offer, OP are still often
planted in Alabama. Selecting a hybrid variety is the first
step toward earliness and quality.
Yield potential. Yields reported in variety trial re-
sults are extrapolated from small plots. Depending on
the vegetable crop, plot sizes range from 100 to 500 square
feet. Yields per acre are estimated by multiplying plot
yields by corrective factors ranging from 100 to 1,000.
Small errors are thus amplified, and estimated yields per
acre may not be realistic. Therefore, locations cannot be
compared to one another by just looking at the range of
yields actually reported. However, the relative differences
in performance among varieties within a location are re-
alistic, and can be used to identify the best-performing
varieties.
Statistical interpretation. The coefficient of deter-
mination (R
2
), coefficient of variation (CV), and least
significant difference (lsd, 5%) are reported for each test.
These numbers are helpful in separating the differences
due to small plots (sampling error) and true (but un-
known) differences among entries.
R
2 
ranges between 0 and 1. Values close to 1 suggest
that the test was conducted under good conditions and
most of the variability observed was mainly due to the
effect of variety and replication. Random, uncontrolled
errors were of lesser importance. CV is an expression of
yield variability relative to yield mean. Low CVs (under
20%) are desirable, but are not always achieved.
There must be a minimum yield difference between
two varieties before one can statistically conclude that
one variety actually performs better than another. This is
known as the least significant difference (lsd). When the
difference in yield is less than the lsd value, one cannot
conclude that there is any real difference between two
varieties. For example, in the 1998 pumpkin trial at the
E.V. Smith Research Center, 'Fairytale' yielded 23,360
pounds per acre, while 'Buckskin' and 'Rex 38040'
yielded 17,228 and 15,936 pounds per acre, respectively.
Since there was less than a 6,646 difference (the lsd for
this test) between 'Fairytale' and 'Buckskin', there is no
statistical difference between these two variety's perfor-
mance. However, the yield difference between 'Fairytale'
and 'Rex 38040' was 7,424, indicating that there is a real
difference between these two varieties. From a practical
point of view, producers should place the greatest im-
portance on lsd values when interpreting results. Variet-
ies with performance within one lsd difference from the
top variety are separated from the others by a line across
the table.
Testing condition. AU vegetable variety trials are
conducted under standard, recommended commercial
production practices. If the cropping system to be used
4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
is different from that used in the trials, the results from
the trials may not apply. Information on soil type (Table
1), planting dates, fertilizer rates, and detailed spray
schedule is provided to help producers compare their own
practices to the standard one used in the trials, and make
relevant adjustments.
Ratings of trials. At each location, variety trials were
rated on a 1 to 5 scale, based on weather conditions, fer-
tilization, irrigation, pest pressure, and overall perfor-
mance (Table 2). Results from trials with ratings of 2
and under are not reported. These numbers may be used
to interpret differences in performance from location 
to
location. The overall rating may be used to give more
importance to the results of variety performance under
good growing conditions.
Where to get seeds. Because seeds are alive, their
performance and germination rate depend on how old
they are, where and how they were collected, and how
they have been handled and stored. It is always prefer-
able to get certified seeds from a reputable source, such
as the ones listed in this publication.
TABLE 1. SOIL TYPES AT THE LOCATIONS OF THE ALABAMATRIALS
Location Water-holding 
Soil type
capacity (in./in.)
Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (Fairhope) 0.09-0.19 Malbis 
fine sandy loam
Brewton Experiment Field (Brewton) 0.12-0.14 Benndale 
fine sandy loam
Horticultural Unit, EV Smith Research Center (Shorter) 0.15-0.17 
Norfolk-orangeburg loamy sand
Chilton Area Horticultural Station (Clanton) 0.13-0.15 Luvernue 
sandy loam
Upper Coastal Plain Research Center (Winfield) 0.13-0.20 Savannah 
loam
North Alabama Horticultural Station (Cullman) 0.16-0.20 Hartsells-Albertville 
fine sandy loam
Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (Crossville) 0.16-0.18 Wynnville 
fine sandy loam
TABLE 2. DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Rating Weather Fertilizer Irrigation Pests Overall
5 Very Good Very Good Very Good None Excellent
4 Favorable Good Good Light 
Good
3 Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Tolerable Acceptable
2 Adverse Low Low Adverse Questionable
1 Destructive Very Low Insufficient Destructive 
Useless
Cantaloupe Cultivar Observation
in Northern Mississippi
Kent Cushman and Thomas Morgan
Twenty-four cultivars and advanced breeding lines row 20-feet wide located every fourth row. Preplant fer-
of western- and eastern-type cantaloupe were grown for tilizer was banded on both sides of the plant bed during
this trial (Table 1). This study was located on the upland 
formation at the rate of 235 pounds N, 188 pounds 
P
2
0
5
,
soils (Quitman silt loam) of the North Mississippi Re- and 333 pounds 20 per acre. Drip tape, rated at 0.5
search and Extension Center in Verona. Each entry was gallon per 100 feet at 10 psi, was placed on top of the
randomly assigned to each of two replications. plant bed and covered with white-on-black plastic mulch
Plant beds were formed six inches high and 30 inches -white side up. Seed were planted through the plastic
across the top with a press-pan-type bed shaper. Beds June 22 and June 24 by hand and thinned to one plant
were spaced 11 feet apart, center to center, with a drive per hole ten days after planting. Plants were spaced 18
TABLE 1. CANTALOUPE CULTIVAR OBSERVATIONS
Fruit Expected Days to Melon Melon Sol. solids
Entry Source type Netting Sutures weight harvest
2  
yield yield content
lbs.' lbs./a
3  
no./a
3  
%4
Colima Petoseed Western Moderate None -- 64-69 59,100 9,220 7.5
to coarse
ACaptain (ACX6220) Abbott & Cobb Western Coarse None 5-7 64-74 58,800 11,380 9.0
ACX 6222 Abbott & Cobb Western Coarse None 4-5 64-66 58,200 11,950 9.5
Primo Novartis/Rogers Western Coarse Slight 5-7 64-66 53,400 8,210 9.0
AChaparral (ACX7200) Abbott & Cobb Western Coarse None 5-7 66-74 49,400 10,660 8.5
ACX 6205 Abbott & Cobb Western Coarse None 3-4 64-69 48,500 10,220 10.0
Sparkle Harris Moran Western Moderate None 3-5 64-74 48,200 8,500 8.5
Super 45 Willhite Western Coarse None 3 64-74 46,600 10,660 10.0
Magnum 45 Petoseed Western Coarse Slight 2.5-3 64-74 46,100 10,940 10.0
ACX 6211 Abbott & Cobb Western Coarse None 3-4 66-74 42,200 8,930 10.5
Laredo Petoseed Western Coarse None 3-3.5 64-66 40,600 8,930 11.0
Acclaim Novartis/Rogers Western Coarse None 3-5 66-74 34,100 8,350 10.0
Star Fire Harris Seeds Eastern Moderate Large 5-7 64-69 64,800 9,360 9.0
to coarse
Cordele Asgrow Eastern Very light Large 7-8 64-69 64,400 9,070 7.5
Eclipse Petoseed Eastern Very light None 5-7 64-69 63,700 9,650 9.5
Vienna (EXH 6332) Asgrow Eastern Light Slight 6-8 64-66 61,500 7,200 8.0
Pulsar Petoseed Eastern Coarse Large 5-6 55-64 60,100 6,770 --
Star Sweet Harris Seeds Eastern Coarse Large 4-6 64-69 58,500 7,920 8.0
Sugar Queen Willhite Eastern Light, None 6 66-74 58,400 8,930 10.5
Superstar Harris Seeds Eastern Coarse Large 6-8 64 55,700 6,620 7.5
Apollo Novartis/Rogers Eastern Moderate Large 7-9 69 48,800 4,900 10.5
smooth
Dallas Willhite Eastern Moderate Large 4-5 69-80 47,600 7,490 8.5
Sugar Bowl Harris Moran Eastem Moderate Large 3-4 64-74 46,500 7,920 9.5
to coarse
Athena Novartis/Rogers Eastern Moderate Slight 5-7 64-66 44,400 6,770 8.5
'From seed company sources or as listed in seed catalogs. From this trial. 
3
Estimated pounds and number of melons per acre reported
here is low due to our very wide (11 feet) row spacing.
4
Average of six samples. Some averages are based on fewer samples.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 5
6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
inches apart in single-row plots 27.5 feet long, making a
total of 17 plants in each plot.
Asana XL, Thiodan EC, or Bravo WS was sprayed
on an as-needed basis for insect and disease control. Water
or fertilizer solution was applied through the drip tape
on an as-needed basis. Sidedress fertilizer was applied
by injecting a concentrated fertilizer solution at a 1:200
ratio to achieve a final N concentration of 100 ppm in the
irrigation water.
Harvest began August 17 and ended September 8.
Melons from each plot were separated into marketable
and cull categories and then counted and weighed. Only
data from marketable melons are presented in this re-
port. At least six melons of each entry were tested for
soluble solids content using a hand-held refractometer.
Each melon was sampled several times to obtain a con-
sistent, reproducible value.
Melon weights mostly exceeded those expected un-
der commercial growing conditions, and the eastern-type
melons tended to crack at the stem end and some cracked
severely along the sutures as well. Western-type melons
were generally of excellent quality and appearance (Table
1).
Soluble solids content (a measure of sugar content)
ranged from a low of 7.5 percent to a high of 11.0 per-
cent. As an estimate, we tasted each sample as we mea-
sured soluble solids contents. In our opinion, a value of
up to about 9 percent was sweet, but not sweet enough;
from 10 to 11 percent was excellent and sweet; and 12
percent or more was almost too sweet!
Graph 1 shows the wide range of weights we ob-
tained in our trial. Each diamond-shaped data point on
the graph represents an individual melon weight. Most
weights are equal to or greater than the expected range,
shown by the gray bar, for that particular cultivar or breed-
ing line. Our trial suffered through six weeks of hot and
dry weather while the melons were expanding in size.
We were fortunate that dry weather extended into the
harvest period so that relatively few melons rotted while
still on the vine.
GRAPH 1. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF CANTALOUPE VARIETIES
c E LC) ' N (u .g E 0 0 L) 0 c
(0 N N 0 0 NOCQ)
LLL0.jQ)U, =V c
CU C0 flCD p0m m 
Q ' m
< - U < < Qo U .)co c -
%U
... Actualmelon weight ........ ....................................................
Range of expected weights 0
15
12
"OC
E
0-
3
0
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 7
Pumpkin Varieties Yield Well
in Georgia Mountains
William Terry Kelley
Twenty-six commercially available pumpkin vari-
eties and six experimental lines were compared in a test
at the Georgia Mountain Branch Experiment Station
(1,900 feet of elevation) in Blairsville. Pumpkins were
field-seeded on June 9 into a Transylvania clay loam soil.
Plots consisted of single rows which contained an ap-
propriate number of hills for each variety's plant habit.
Vining types were planted with six hills per plot, semi-
bush (or semi-vining) types with eight hills, and bush
types with 10 hills. Plots were 16 feet in length with
eight feet between rows. The planting was arranged in a
Randomized Complete Block Design with three replica-
tions.
Normal cultural practices were used for bare ground
pumpkin culture in Georgia. Base fertilizer consisted of
300 pounds per acre of 10-10-10 incorporated prior to
planting followed by two sidedress applications of 10-
10-10 (300 pounds per acre each). Ethafluralin (0.75
pounds a.i. per acre) was applied pre-emergence for weed
control. Fungicide and insecticide applications were
made according to current recommendations listed in the
Georgia Pest Control Handbook.
Pumpkins were harvested at maturity on September
28 and October 15. Data were collected on yield, fruit
number and weight, rind color, rind texture, rind thick-
ness, fruit shape, and internal flesh color (Table 1).
Conditions at the location were generally hotter and
drier through the growing period than is average for the
area. Irrigation was applied as needed. A late infection
of powdery mildew was treated with recommended fun-
gicides and did not have an appreciable effect on the
crop.
Pumpkins generally produced weights in accordance
with the expected fruit sizes described by the sponsor-
ing company. 'Prizewinner' produced the greatest yield
and largest fruit size among all varieties, although not
significantly greater than any of those producing over
64,000 pounds per acre. Among miniature varieties
'Munchkin', 'Jack-Be-Little', and 'Sweetie Pie' all pro-
duced similar numbers of fruits with weights in the half-
pound range.
Marketability was generally high for all varieties,
although 'HMX 5680', 'Jack-of-all-Trades', and one ex-
perimental were significantly lower than the most mar-
ketable varieties. There was little variability among va-
rieties for rind color and rind texture. Fruit shape was
generally indicative of the type of pumpkin, with the
smaller pumpkins having a flatter shape. Rind thickness
was also well correlated with the size of the pumpkin.
There was some variability in flesh color among variet-
ies tested with some varieties such as 'Prizewinner' ex-
hibiting a distinctively deeper orange flesh as compared
to varieties such as 'Spirit' and 'Lumina' which exhib-
ited a more yellow-colored flesh. 'Lumina' was the only
pumpkin variety with a white rind in the test.
Several pumpkins produced exceptional yields and
numbers and many were well within the range for ac-
ceptability. The most notable lower performers were
'Early Autumn', 'Small Sugar', 'Wee-Be-Little', and
'Spooktacular' which did not produce a sufficient num-
ber of fruits per acre to be competitive with other simi-
larly sized pumpkins.
This evaluation was the most extensive evaluation
of pumpkins ever reported in the mountain area of Geor-
gia, where most Georgia pumpkin production occurs.
Many thanks are expressed to the seed companies who
participated in and supported this trial.
TABLE 1. YIELD, NUMBER, MARKETABILITY, AND HORTICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 32 PUMPKIN
GROWN AT BLAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA, IN 1998
Vine Total Total Individual fruit Market- Rind Fruit Rid in Fls
Variety Source type' fruits yield weight able color
3  
shape
4  
textr
5  
tikes clr
no/a lbsi/a
2
lbs. cm
Prizewinner
Atlantic Giant
Big Max
HMX 5683
SVR 4622847
Aspen
Frosty
XPH 1854
Spirit
Big Autumn
Funny Face
XPH 1853
Howden Biggie
SVR 4622837
HMX 5680
SVR 4622827
Jack-Of-All-Trades
Wizard
Mystic
SVT 4612297
Autumn Gold
Peek-a-Boo
Lumina
HMX 4695
Conn. Field
Spooktacular
Small Sugar
Wee-Be-Little
Sweetie Pie
Munchkin
Early Autumn
Jack-Be-Little
Mean
Isd (0.05)
CV(%)
PetoSeed
Willhite
Willhite
Harris Moran
Asgrow
Hollar
TWilley
Asgrow
PetoSeed
Novartis
Twilley
Asgrow
Harris Moran
Asgrow
Harris Moran
Asgrow
Hollar
Wilihite
Harris Moran
Asgrow
Novartis
Novartis
Hollar
Harris Moran
Wilihite
Midwest
Wilihite
Novartis
Stokes
Wilihite
Novartis
Hollar
2.67
3.00
3.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.00
2.33
2.00
2.00
2.33
2.00
3.00
2.00
3.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
3.00
2.00
3.00
2.00
3.00
1.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
1.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
2.39
0.29
7.49
0O0
1,248 108,528
907 79,263
1,702 78,939
4,084 74,611
5,331 65,257
3,630 65,131
5,558 64,706
9,642 64,055
3,970 59,253
4,310 56,852
3,290 50,223
4,991 49,449
2,382 45,771
2,836 45,346
3,857 45,346
1,928 39,419
3,403 37,719
3,573 37,332
7,260 36,292
8,167 34,217
4,878 34,142
7,827 33,417
3,290 31,741
20,531 30,016
1,361 26,288
6,579 15,633
4,084 15,532
9,415 10,405
18,603 8,855
1,8603 7,953
907 7,654
1,7015 7,279
6,210 42,415
5,148 43,721
50.8 63.2
116.31
95.67
46.39
17.02
12.06
17.15
11.16
6.66
14.86
12.92
15.19
9.83
19.25
17.64
12.90
19.34
11.47
10.45
5.03
4.41
6.70
4.26
10.30
1.50
22.36
2.43
3.90
1.17
0.51
0.42
8.56
0.46
16.74
31.58
115.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
89.1
90.4
92.2
99.4
97.3
98.6
99.3
92.6
100.0
98.1
87.4
89.8
83.2
97.8
99.3
96.7
92.9
90.2
100.0
99.6
100.0
98.6
90.2
100.0
100.0
98.5
100.0
100.0
96.3
12.2
7.78
1.67
1.50
1.40
1.67
1.40
1.67
1.60
2.73
2.00
2.13
2.13
1.27
1.29
1.28
1.20
1.67
1.53
1.53
1.27
1.67
2.00
1.73
5.00
1.87
1.20
2.00
1.87
2.27
1.87
2.00
1.83
1.87
1.82
0.80
27.0
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.47
1.93
2.67
2.33
3.07
2.47
2.20
2.47
1.93
3.44
2.73
2.33
2.27
3.13
1.67
2.00
1.13
2.00
2.07
1.33
2.13
2.20
2.00
1.40
2.60
1.60
1.00
2.00
1.00
2.11
1.02
29.6
3.00
2.50
2.20
3.00
2.73
2.33
2.67
3.67
3.00
3.00
2.93
3.00
2.73
1.98
2.67
3.00
3.00
2.40
2.87
3.00
2.87
2.67
2.67
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
2.67
2.73
3.00
3.00
3.00
2.82
0.66
14.2
5.40
6.99
5.08
4.13
3.60
3.71
3.60
3.39
3.81
2.54
3.28
3.49
4.13
3.70
4.34
4.23
4.02
3.81
2.86
2.96
2.96
2.65
3.07
2.01
3.81
2.37
3.18
2.22
2.12
1.91
4.23
2.12
3.49
1.77
31.0
Planting Date: June 9, 1998. Harvest Dates: September 28, 1998, October 15, 1998. Randomized Complete Block Design, 3 replications, one-row p,16 t ogx8f.wd.Hls
plot: Vine-6, Semi-bush-8, Bush-lO. 'Based on scale: 1=bush; 2=semibush; 3=vining. 
2
Marketable weight. 'Based on scale: 1=deep orange; 2=mdmorne3=ihoag;
4=yellow; 5-white. 
4
Based on scale: l=flat; 2=round; 3=oval; 4-oblong. 
5
Based on scale: l=coarse; 2=medium; 3-smooth. 
6
Based on same scale a idclr
1.67
3.00
5.00
4.00
3.33
4.00
3.33
3.00
4.33
3.33
3.67
3.67
2.67
4.00
3.33
3.67
4.00
2.67
3.33
3.67
2.67
3.00
4.33
2.67
3.00
2.50
2.67
4.00
2.33
3.00
3.33
3.00
3.32
1.18
21.8
I ,
r
m
x
-0
m
m
z
H
C',
z
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
9
Latest Pumpkin Varieties Show
Tolerance to Powdery Mildew
Anthony Keinath
Downy mildew (DM) is one of the main fungal dis-
eases that affect pumpkin production in South Carolina
and the Southeast. Because limited information on vari-
ety resistance to the disease is available, DM ratings were
made in 1996 and 1997 on most of the commercial pump-
kin cultivars.
Data are means of the 1996 and 1997 trials. Cultivar
mean comparison was done within maturity group. Cul-
tivars in bold were significantly more resistant (accord-
ing to the Waller-Duncan k-ratio test at k=500 and
p=O.Ol) than the other varieties within the same matu-
rity group (Table 1).
TABLE 1. POWDERY MILDEW SEVERITY ON 32 PUMPKIN CULTIVARS 
IN 1996 AND 1997
Powdery mildew
severity(%)'
Early Season Varieties
Pro Gold 500 95 40
Pro Gold 510 95 34
Autumn Gold 90 32
Rocket 95 31
Spirit 95 28
Big Autumn 90 25
Jack of All Trades 95 22
Jackpot 90 22
Trickster 90 22
Spooktacular 85 18
Lumina
2  
85 3
Main Season Varieties
100
100
100
105
100
46
37
35
18
5
Cultivar Days to maturity
Powdery mildew
severity(%)'
Late Season Varieties
Wizard
Happy Jack
Spookie
Howden
Appalachian
Ghost Rider
Tom Fox
Connecticut Field
Tallman
Howden Biggie
Pankow's Field
Mammoth Gold
Big Max
Rouge Vif d' Etampes
Magic Lantern
HMX 6686
115
110
110
115
110
115
110
110
110
115
120
120
120
115
115
115
57
55
53
45
43
42
38
37
37
31
25
23
21
8
4
2
'Average percent of upper and lower leaf surface covered with powdery mildew on 19 Aug. 
1996 and 5 Sept. 1997.
2
Resistant cultivars are shown in bold type.
Cultivar Days to maturity
Funny Face
Small Sugar
Oz
Little Lantern
TIMX 16688
___________________.
I
D,, ~~1~ cnn ac dn I
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 9
Summer Heat Affects
Pumpkin Variety Performance
in Central Alabama
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, Jim Bannon, Booby Boozer, Jason Burkett, Arnold Caylor,
Tony Dawkins, Ron McDaniel, Malcomb Pegues, Jim Pitts, Randall Rawls, and Marvin Ruf
Pumpkin variety trials were conducted at the Gulf
Coast Research and Extension Center (GCREC) in
Fairhope, the Horticulture Unit of the E.V. Smith Re-
search Center (EVSRC) in Shorter, the Chilton Area Hor-
ticulture Station (CAHS) in Clanton, the Upper Coastal
Plain Research Station (UCPRS) in Winfield, the North
Alabama Horticulture Station (NAHS) in Cullman, and
the Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center
(SMREC) in Crossville (Tables 1 and 2). However, pump-
kin tests at GCREC and UCPRS were destroyed by a
summer storm and insect pests, respectively.
Soils were fertilized according to the recommenda-
tions of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory.
Names of chemicals are mentioned only for describing
the production practices used. This represents neither a
recommendation nor an endorsement of these products.
Current recommendations for pest and weed control in
vegetable production in Alabama may be found in IPM
Commercial Vegetables: Insect, Disease, Nematode, and
Weed Control Recommendations (Publication 981PM-2
from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System).
At all locations, hills containing two plants each were
spaced five feet apart. Between-row spacing was 10 feet.
Planting dates were July 7 at EVSRC, June 8 at CAHS,
July 2 at NAHS, and July 21 at SMREC. At CAHS and
SMREC, two 100-foot long replications were planted.
At EVSRC and NAHS, four 50-foot long replications
were used.
At EVSRC, fertilization consisted of a preplant ap-
plication of ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) at a rate of 177
pounds per acre on July 3 and a sidedress application of
calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0) at a rate of 387 pounds per
acre on August 11. Pest control was provided by appli-
cations of Ridomil (fungicide, at a rate of two pounds
per acre) on August 13, Bravo (fungicide, at a rate of
three pints per acre) on August 13, and Asana (insecti-
cide, at a rate of 9.6 ounces per acre) on August 13.
Terranil 6L (fungicide, at a rate of 1.3 pints per acre)
and Asana (at a rate of 9.6 ounces per acre) were also
applied weekly beginning August 21 and October 2.
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1998 PUMPKIN
VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location GCREC EVSRC CAHS NAHS SMREC UCPRS
Weather 1 5 4 5 5 3
Fertility 5 5 5 5 5 5
Irrigation 5 5 5 5 5 5
Pests 4 5 5 5 5 1
Overall 1 4 4 5 4 1
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
At CAHS, fertilization consisted of a pre-plant ap-
plication of 1,000 pounds per acre of 5-10-15 on June 1.
Weed control consisted of an application of Command
(at a rate of one quart per acre) on June 9. Fungicides
used were Manzate (at a rate of two pounds per acre) on
July 9, July 24, and July 29; Kocide 101 (at a rate of two
pounds per acre) on July 9 and July 29; and Bayleton (at
a rate of 0.5 pound per acre) on July 24. Insect control
consisted of an application of Imidan (at a rate of one
pound per acre) on July 1.
At NAHS, fertilization consisted of an application
of 34-0-0 at a rate of 250 pounds per acre on July 2.
Herbicide used was Command 3ME (at a rate of two pints
per acre) on July 9. Gramoxone herbicide (at a rate of
three pints per acre) was also applied on August 5 in the
alleys. Fungicides used were Bravo 720/Ridomil at a rate
of three pounds per acre. They were applied once a week
in combination with either Bayleton or Benlate (at rates
of three and 0.5 pounds per acre, respectively) begin-
ning July 24 and ending September 25. Insect control
consisted of applications of Asana XL (at a rate of 9.6
ounces per acre) on July 17, August 1, August 13, Au-
gust 22, and September 5.
At SMREC, fertilization consisted of pre-plant ap-
plications on July 20 of lime (at a rate of one ton per
acre) and 0-19-44 (at a rate of 250 pounds per acre) and
a sidedress application of 34-0-0 (at a rate of 90 pounds
per acre) on August 19. Pest control consisted of concur-
rent applications of Asana (insecticide, at a rate of eight
ounces per acre) and Benlate 50 (fungicide, at a rate of
10 ALABAMA AGRIGULT-URAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
11
0.5 pound per acre) on August 27, September 2, Septem-
ber 11, September 18, and September 25; Bravo 720 (fun-
gicide, at a rate of 1.5 to two pints per acre) and Lannate
(insecticide, at a rate of one pint per acre) on August 19;
Seven XLR (insecticide, at a rate of one pint per acre) on
August 10; and, Asana (at a rate of eight ounces per acre)
on October 1.
Harvest dates were October 1, 1997, at EVSRC, Au-
gust 27 at CAHS, and October 5 at NAHS and SMREC.
Because color development stops after harvest, pump-
kins were harvested at the full-color stage and graded as
marketable or non-marketable.
At EVSRC, 'Fairytale', 'Cinderella', and'Buckskin'
were sized well and had the highest yields (Table 3).
'Jarradale', a new specialty pumpkin, was white with
shades of blue-grey and had deep sutures. At CAHS, de-
spite the irrigation, high night temperature resulted in
fruits reaching maturity approximately 65 days after ger-
mination. Early pumpkin varieties usually are ready to
harvest 75 to 80 days after germination. As a result, fruits
were generally smaller than expected.
At NAHS, 'Jumpin'Jack', Appalachian', and
'Mother Lode' had significantly higher yields than the
other entries (Table 4). 'Apalachian' has been perform-
ing well in trials over the last four years and it is becom-
ing a standard large jack-o-lantern variety in North Ala-
bama. Although 'Prizewinner' yielded among the top
varieties, fruits were small due to the close spacing used
in the trial.
At SMREC, a carry-over from a dessicant used on
the previous Irish potato crop killed the plants in one
entire replication. Hence, this test was observational.
'Jack-be-Quick' and 'Early Autumn' had the highest
yields among the medium and small jack-o-lantern vari-
eties. 'Early Autumn' carries the yellow precocious gene
(ypg) which prevent the expression of virus marks. This
variety is also known for the production of fruits uni-
form in size, shape, and color.
A detailed list of recommended pumpkin varieties
can be found in the Alabama Cooperative Extension Sys-
tem Circular ANR 1099, "Pumpkin and winter squash
varieties for Alabama."
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, RELATIVE EARLINESS, AND FRUIT SIZE OF SELECTED PUMPKIN VARIETIES
Variety Type' Seed Source Maturity Fruit weight
days lbs.
Appalachian F1 Rupp Seeds 90 20-25
Aspen Fl Rupp Seeds, Hollar 90 15-25
Autumn Gold Fl Sandoz Rogers 90 8-10
Baby Bear OP Rupp Seeds 105 1-2
Baby Boo OP Burpee 105 1-10
Big Autumn F1 Sandoz Rogers 90 15-20
Big Max F1 Asgrow 120 35-50
Buckskin Fl Rupp Seeds 100 15
Carnival (Specialty) F1 Harris Moran 85 0.25
Cinderella** OP Vilmorin 95 20-30
Connecticut Field OP Rupp Seeds, Asgrow 115 15-25
Dill's Atlantic Giant OP Stokes 120 40+
Early Autumn OP Rupp Seeds 100 10-14
Fairytale OP Rupp Seeds 100 20-40
First Prize F1 Rupp Seeds 100 20-40
Funny Face OP Rupp Seeds 100 10-12
Golden Delicious Fl Rupp Seeds 103 10
Gold Rush OP Rupp Seeds 120 30-40
Gold Strike Fl Rupp Seeds 110 25-40
Howden OP Stokes, Harris, Rupp 100 15-20
Jack-Be-Quick OP Rupp Seeds 95 0.25
Jack-of-all-Trades Fl Rupp Seeds 90 10-12
Jackpot F1 Harris Seeds 100 10-12
Jarradalle* (Specialty) OP Rupp Seed 95 25-30
Jumpin' Jack OP Rupp Seeds 120 30-50
Lil' Goblin F1 Harris Moran 100 2
Little Lantern OP Stokes 100 1-2
Lumina* OP Rupp Seeds, Stokes 90 10-15
Mother Lode F1 Rupp Seeds 100 20-30
Mystic F1 Harris Moran - 5-10
New England Pie OP Johnny's Select 100 3-6
Oz F1 Harris Seeds 105 3-5
Peek-A-Boo F1 Rupp Seeds 90 3-4
* white-skinned variety; ** also sold as 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes"Fl=hybrid; OP=open pollinated; -= Not found; from seed catalogues.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS " 11
TABLE 2, CONTINUED. SEED SOURCE, RELATIVE EARLINESS, AND FRUIT SIZE
OF SELECTED PUMPKIN VARIETIES
Variety Type' Seed Source Maturity Fruit weight
days lbs.
Prizewinner OP Rupp Seeds 120 40+
REX 38039 F1 Rupp Seeds - 10-15
REX 38040 F1 Rupp Seeds - 10-15
RWS 6260 F1 Sandoz Rogers - 10-15
Small Sugar Fl Stokes, Asgrow 100 7
Spookie OP Harris Seeds 105 5-6
Spooktacular Fl Petoseed 85 3-5
Sugar Treat F1 Rupp Seeds 90 3-5
Sweet Dumpling (Specialty) F1 Rupp Seeds 100 0.25
Sweetie Pie OP Stokes 110 0.25
Tallman OP Stokes 110 15-25
Trick-or-Treat F1 Petoseed 98 10-12
Trickster Fl Rupp Seeds 90 3-4
Wee-Be-Little Fl Sandoz Rogers 110 1
Wizard Fl Harris Seeds 115 10-15
* white-skinned variety; ** also sold as 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes';
'Fl=hybrid; OP=open pollinated; - = Not found; from seed catalogues.
TABLE 3. FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED PUMPKINVARIETIES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA
Marketable Marketable Culled Total Individual
Variety yield fruits yield yield fruit wt.
lbs./a no./a lbs./a lbs./a lbs.
E.V. Smith Research Center
Fairytale 23,360 1,152 1,433 24,793 29
Cinderella 20,837 2,072 3,474 24,311 15
Buckskin 17,228 1,484 968 18,196 16
Rex 38040 15,936 1,371 1,390 17,326 13
Trick-or-Treat 15,649 937 675 16,324 20
Jarradalle 13,150 1,195 1,353 14,502 23
Lumina 10,575 1,066 686 11,261 10
Funny Face 10,434 1,294 1,507 11,941 12
Wizard 9,702 1,193 1,428 11,130 10
Rex 38039 9,541 774 364 9,905 14
RWS 6220 9,151 985 397 9,548 11
Autumn Gold 8,284 1,511 2,048 10,332 6
Mystic 6,804 638 0 6,804 11
Early Autumn 6,708 698 435 7,143 11
Oz 5,730 688 462 6,192 8
Bushkin 2,244 1,035 1,991 4,235 3
R
2  
0.64 0.28 0.36 0.68 0.29
CV 40 59 112 36 84
lsd 6,646 1,044 1,828 7,024 16
Chilton Area Horticulture Station
Mother Lode 11,761 2,759 . 11,761 5
Big Autumn 9,438 2,614 . 9,438 4
Aspen 8,954 2,372 . 8,954 4
Jackpot 7,357 1,307 . 7,357 6
Connecticut Field 6,389 1,549 6,389 4
First Prize 4,646 871 . 4,646 5
Jumpin' Jack 4,453 1,016 . 4,453 4
Fairytale 4,356 871 . 4,356 6
Tallman 3,485 968 . 3,485 3
Howden 3,194 920 . 3,194 4
Gold Strike 3,098 678 . 3,098 5
~YUIY ,~ VI L) IY
ALABAMA AGRICULT-URALEXPERIMENT STATION12
TABLE 3, CONTINUED. FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED PUMPKINVARIETIES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA
Marketable Marketable Culled Total Individual
Variety yield fruits yield yield fruit wt.
lbs./a no./a lbs./a lbs.a lbs.
Chilton Area Horticulture Station
Big Max 2,517 436 . 2,517 7
Gold Rush 2,468 581 . 2,468 8
R
2  
0.48 0.55 0.48 0.66
CV 77 74 77 21
lsd 7,172 949 7,172 4
TABLE 4. FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED PUMPKIN VARIETIES IN NORTH ALABAMA
Marketable Marketable Culled Total Individual
Variety yield fruits Yield yield fruit wt.
lbs./a no./a lbs./a lbs./a lbs.
North Alabama Horticulture Station
Jumpin' Jack 25,660 2,219 999 26,659 11
Prizewinner 24,365 2,132 998 25,364 11
Appalachian 22,400 1,740 1,134 23,534 13
Mother Lode 21,611 1,588 1,194 22,805 14
Gold Strike 18,327 1,523 1,054 19,381 12
Dill's Atlantic Giant 17,241 1,610 965 18,207 11
Fairytale 16,597 740 1,979 18,577 23
Big Max 16,320 1,283 1,116 17,436 13
Big Autumn 13,436 1,479 802 14,238 9
Gold Rush 13,389 827 1,362 14,751 16
RWS 6260 12,346 6,329 165 12,511 2
Howden 11,783 805 1,303 13,085 15
Tallman 8,978 848 897 9,875 10
R
2  
0.45 0.83 0.45 0.72
CV 36 42 37 26
lsd 4,620 536 4,664 5
Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center'
Funny Face 7,038 946 266 7,304 7
Var #500 6,571 660 249 6,820 10
Baby Bear 2,113 1,612 . 2,113 1
Baby Boo 3,528 12,981 . 3,528 1
Early Autumn 9,574 1,220 2,178 11,752 8
Jack-Be-Quick 10,629 4,095 . 10,629 3
Jack-of-all-Trades 5,824 4,443 . 5,824 1
Lil' Goblin 5,266 4,356 . 5,266 1
Little Lantern 2,675 1,482 . 2,675 2
New England Pie 2,152 1,002 . 2,152 2
Oz 5,197 2,396 . 5,197 2
Peek-A-Boo 2,200 871 . 2,200 3
Small Sugar 1,694 653 . 1,694 3
Spookie 3,668 1,089 . 3,668 3
Spooktacular 1,472 784 . 1,472 2
Sugar Treat 2,004 741 . 2,004 3
Sweet Dumpling 3,389 2,919 . 3,389 1
Sweetie Pie 1,089 2,090 . 1,089 1
Trickster 2,352 871 . 2,352 3
Wee-Be-Little 1,381 1,742 . 1,381 1
Carnival 2,944 2,919 . 3,389 1
CV
lsd
' Observational test. Plants in one entire replication were killed by Irish Potato dessicant carry-over.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS . 13
14 
ALABAMA AGRICULT-URAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Georgia Carrot Yields Vary Be-
tween Hand-Harvested Plots and
Mechanically Harvested Strips
William Terry Kelley and James Reid
Nine commercially available carrot varieties and six
experimental lines were evaluated in an on-farm trial in
Jeff Davis County, Georgia. Carrots were direct-seeded
on September 9. The plots consisted of three twin rows
of carrots each 335 feet long on a single bed. Beds were
92 inches wide and each set of twin rows was 24 inches
apart on the bed. Approximately 20 seeds per foot were
planted.
Normal cultural practices for carrot production in
Georgia were used. Base fertility consisted of 30 pounds
of nitrogen per acre. All phosphorous and potassium
were applied according to soil test recommendations. Ad-
ditional nitrogen was provided as sidedress applications
every two to three weeks, totaling 140 pounds per acre.
Irrigation was applied for germination and as needed
throughout the season. Linuron (one pound a.i. per acre)
was applied post-emergence for weed control. Fungi-
cide and insecticide applications were made according
to current recommendations listed in the Georgia Pest
Control Handbook.
Carrots were harvested using two methods. On Feb-
ruary 17, three-foot samples were hand-harvested from
three different sections in each large plot. Data were
collected on yield, stand, and root characteristics on these
carrots, and were analyzed statistically. A summary of
these data can be found in Table 1.
A larger, mechanical harvest was made on February
26. In this harvest the center row from each bed was
harvested mechanically into bin boxes. These boxes were
transferred to a local carrot packing shed. Each box was
weighed and the carrots were introduced into the pack-
ing line one at a time. Carrots were separated into one-
pound, five-pound, and jumbo bag categories and culls
were discarded. Weights, soluble solid content, and root
characteristics of each category were taken. These data
were summarized and means calculated. A summary of
these data can be found in Table 2.
Yield data from the two methods varied consider-
ably. Much of this can be attributed to the methods of
harvest. With the mechanical carrot harvester, some car-
rots were left in the field because only those with suffi-
cient tops could be harvested. Also, not all carrots that
would fall into the one-pound category were collected
on the carrot line. In the hand-harvested samples, all
carrots were harvested from the area chosen.
'Apache' was the leading yielder in both tests, al-
though not significantly greater than several other vari-
eties. 'First Class' and 'RCR 1851A' were the second
and third leading yielders in the hand-harvested, small
plots; however, they were ninth and tenth in the mechani-
cally harvested, strip plots. Both of these varieties had.
some of the lower top densities and therefore may not
have been picked up as thoroughly by the mechanical
harvester, which could explain some of the difference.
Percent packout was low in the mechanically harvested
test due to some of the one-pound carrots not getting
packed.
There was considerable difference among varieties
in plant population. Because there were some differ-
ences in seed size and the same settings were used on the
vacuum planter, this difference could be expected. There
were some differences in root length, shoulder diameter,
and top length as well as in root shape. There were only
minor differences in root color. Several of the varieties
had a shorter, more blunt-shaped root and thus would be
more suited for processing than fresh market.
ALABAMA. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION14
TABLE 1. YIELD, STAND, MARKETABILITY, ROOT, 
AND TOP CHARACTERISTICS OF 12 CARROT VARI
GROWN IN JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, GEORGIA, IN 1999
Total Market Percent Root 
Top Top Shoulder R
Variety Source 
yield yield Population 
packout length length 
density' diameter co
no./a no./a plants/a cm 
cm cm
Apache SunSeeds 
36,045 33,732 297,342 
93.7 22.8 24.5 4.0 
2.83
RCR 1851A Novartis 35,573 
33,060 348,478 93.1 
17.9 21.1 2.7 3.05
First Class Asgrow 
33,085 33,056 299,236 
99.9 19.9 22.8 
3.3 3.85
XPH 97W99 Crookham 31,156 
30,935 285,979 99.2 16.9 
20.3 2.7 2.81
XPH 3918 Asgrow 
31,060 30,730 318,175 
98.9 20.9 24.0 
3.7 3.09
Navajo SunSeeds 
30,939 29,611 301,130 
96.1 22.1 23.1 
4.0 3.08
Choctaw SunSeeds 30,534 
27,807 263,252 91.1 21.4 
24.0 3.3 3.00
Narbonne Bejo 
32,901 26,542 331,433 
81.5 15.4 19.1 
2.3 3.10
Cheyenne SunSeeds 
31,377 25,644 276,509 
82.2 23.0 25.3 3.0 
2.57
XPH 97W96 Crookham 30,183 
24,592 365,523 80.7 18.8 
21.9 3.0 2.57
Pacific Gold Sakata 26,655 
23,878 268,934 89.4 20.4 
22.0 3.3 2.713.1040
Nevis Bejo 28,003 
22,935 365,523 82.3 15.2 
18.0 2.0 2.653.2730
Mean 31,459 
28,543 310,126 90.7 19.6 
22.2 3.1 2.943.1736
lsd (0.05) 5,335 
6,543 53,153 16.3 3.8 
2.8 7.2 0.491.1113
CV(%) 10.01 13.54 
10.12 10.61 11.58 7.53 22.32 
9.82 17.8 63 06
Planting Date: September 9, 1998. Total Plot Size: 
335 feet long on 92" bed with three twin rows each 
24 inches apart. Seeding Rate: Approx. 2 edfo.Smlstknfo
three-foot section of row replicated three times 
for each variety. Harvested February 17, 1999.
'Top density - based on scale: 1=sparse to 
5=very dense.
2Root color - based on scale: 1=white; 2=yellow; 
3=lt orange; 4=med orange; 5=deep orange; 6=red; 
7=purple.
'Root shape - based on scale of: l=conical elongated; 
2=cylindrical elongated; 3=conical short; 4=cylindrical 
short; 5=round.
4
Root smoothness - based on scale of 1=rough 
to 5=very smooth.
CO
(0
00
m
0
m
m
-I
C,)
01
TABLE 2. YIELD, MARKETABILITY, ROOT 
CHARACTERISTICS, AND SOLUABLE SOLIDS 
CONTENT OF 12 CART
GROWN IN A LARGE STRIP TRIAL IN JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, GEORGIA, IN 1999
Total Marketable One-lb Five-lb Jumbo Total Percent Soluable
Variety Source weight weight 
masters masters masters masters 
packout solids
lbs. lbs. 48 lbs. 50 lbs. 50 lbs. 50 lbs. % Brix
Apache SunSeeds 57,216 
24,127 264.9 40.7 24.8 
330.4 37.1 8.0
XPH 97W96 Crookham 49,028 20,522 
238.4 35.6 3.6 277.6 41.9 
6.5
Choctaw SunSeeds 42,772 19,520 203.4 
33.5 26.2 263.1 45.6 7.0
Cheyenne SunSeeds 40,636 
16,224 172.7 30.5 6.1 
209.3 39.9 8.0
Navajo SunSeeds 43,688 
16,041 187.5 26.4 8.5 
222.4 36.7 8.0
XPH 3918 Asgrow 44,298 
15,441 165.3 27.5 12.8 205.6 
34.9 7.0
XPH 97W99 Crookham 42,518 14,998 218.3 
16.3 8.0 242.6 35.3 8.0
Pacific Gold Sakata 37,788 13,940 176.9 
.21.4 2.1 200.4 36.9 7.5 1. 
. . .
First Class Asgrow 48,163 13,574 
169.5 21.4 1.9 192.8 28.2 
7.0 1. . . .
RCR 1851A Novartis 38,449 11,052 183.3 
8.1 4.4 195.8 28.7 7.0 
1. . . .
Narbonne Bejo 39,721 10,787 170.6 
9.2 6.2 186.0 27.2 7.0 1. 
. . .
Nevis Bejo 34,330 9,846 181.2 
4.1 2.6 187.9 28.7 7.5 
1. . . .
Mean 43,217 15,506 
194.3 22.9 8.9 226.1 35.9 
7.4 1. . . .
Planting Date: September 9, 1998. Total Plot Size: 335 feet long 
on 92" bed with three twin rows each 24 inches apart. Seeding Rate: 
Approx. 20sedfo.HrstdFbuy26
1999.
'Root color - based on scale: l=white; 2=yellow; 3=lt orange; 
4=med orange; 5=deep orange; 6=red; 7=purple.
2
Root shape - based on scale of: 1=conical elongated; 2=cylindrical elongated; 
3=conical short; 4=cylindrical short; 5=round.
0)
C
m
x
-o
m
z
CD)
0
z
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
17
Despite Potential,
'L-89-110' Sweetpotato
Unlikely to be Named
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, and Arnold Caylor
National sweetpotato collaborator's trial were con-
ducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Station
(NAHS) in Cullman. Slip availability limited 1998 Au-
burn University trials to only one location (Table 1). As
recommended by the collaborator's group, 'Beauregard'
was used as the only check since 'Jewel' was dropped in
1997. Although released in 1996, 'Carolina Rose' and
'Carolina Ruby' were included in 1998 trials to famil-
iarize Alabama growers with these varieties. 'L-89-110'
has been kept in trials since 1996 because it might have
been released. However, beginning in 1999, sweetpotato
foundation seed will be produced from virus-indexed ma-
terial. It is unlikely that 'L-89-110' will become part of
the virus-indexed list of varieties.
Sweetpotato seed roots from selected commercial
varieties and breeding lines were planted in a heated bed
at NAHS on March 26 for slip production. Slips were
first cut on May 26. When slip numbers allowed, plots
contained two rows that were 30 feet long and 3.5 feet
wide. Within-row spacing was one foot.
Ammonium nitrate (NH
4
NO
3
) was broadcast applied
at a rate of 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre on April 14.
Slips were transplanted on May 28. Weed control was
provide by an application of Command (at a rate of three
pints per acre) on May 29. Overhead irrigation was used
on August 4 and August 26.
Sweetpotatoes were harvested on September 28.
Roots were graded as US #1 (roots two to 3.5 inches in
diameter, three to nine inches in length, well shaped, and
free of defects), canner (roots one to two inches in diam-
eter, two to seven inches in length), jumbo (roots that
exceed the diameter, length, and weight requirements of
the US #1 grade, but that are of marketable quality) or
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1998 SWEETPOTATO
VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location NAHS
Weather 5
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
cull (roots at least one inch in diameter but so misshapen
or unattractive that they could not be classified as mar-
ketable roots). Marketable yield was calculated by add-
ing the yields of the US #1, canner, and jumbo grades.
Percent US #1 was calculated by dividing the yield of
the US #1 grade by the marketable yield (Table 2).
Using these results (Table 2) along with those from
other locations, the breeders decided to maintain 'L-94-
96', 'NC-93-13', and 'W-337' in 1999 trials. 'W-287'
and 'W-317' were dropped due to poor shape and low
yield. 'L-95-95' and 'L-94-95' were promising, but were
dropped due to low baking quality and lack of disease
resistance, respectively. 'W-334' and 'W-352' are two
new entries for 1999.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 17
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 2. YIELD AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION OF 1998 SWEETPOTATO SELECTIONS (40-POUND BUSHELS)
Total Percent
Selection US #1 Canner Jumbo Cull market 
US #1
bu./a bu./a bu./a bu./a bu./a
L89-110 664 207 62 45 
934 71
L94-75 602 248 60 50 
910 66
Beauregard 593 174 69 36 
836 71
L95-95 584 184 43 29 
811 73
Carolina Ruby 578 263 77 
59 918 63
Carolina Rose 531 134 77 95 742 
73
L94-96 508 168 34 36 
710 72
NC93-17 297 207 8 171 513 
55
W-337 284 200 30 26 
514 48
W-317 245 111 39 110 
395 62
W-287 184 96 6 90 
286 59
R2 0.65 0.26 0.37 0.53 
0.60 0.29
CV 30 54 78 67 
29 22
lsd 198 140 52 66 
303 21
18
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
19
Irish Potatoes 'LaRouge' and
'NDO 2686-6R' Perform Well
Joe Kemble, Arnold Caylor, and Tony Dawkins
The Irish potato industry struggled a great deal in
1998. Early in the season, excessive rain prevented many
growers from planting on time. By the time the spring
floods ended at the start of May, the heat returned. High
soil temperatures inhibited tuberization throughout much
of the potato acreage. Yields were down and quality was
an issue. Many growers complained of poor Irish potato
storage life as well as low prices offered to them by bro-
kers. Irrigation would have benefited some growers, but
irrigation was not the answer to all of their production
problems.
Almost 13,000 acre of Irish potatoes were planted
in 1998 between Baldwin, Cullman, Dekalb, and Jack-
son Counties. However, only about 12,000 acres were
harvested. The poor growing conditions described above
were the primary causes for this reduction in harvested
acreage.
Last year, we reported on the appearance and per-
formance of several selected red-skinned Irish potato
cultivars grown at the North Alabama Horticulture Sta-
tion (NAHS) in Cullman and Sand Mountain Research
and Extension Center (SMREC) in Crossville. Yields last
year were greater at SMREC than at NAHS. At SMREC,
marketable yields of 'COO 86107-1' (204.9 CWT per
acre), 'ND 2225' (171.3 CWT per acre), 'NDO 2686-
6R' (123.6 CWT per acre), and 'LaRouge' (160.8 CWT
per acre) were greater than the other cultivars tested. At
NAHS, the marketable yields of 'ND 2225' (160.6 CWT
per acre), 'Red LaSoda' (152.9 CWT per acre), 'Ida Rose'
(150.2 CWT per acre), and 'LaRouge' (133.0 CWT per
acre) were greatest.
At NAHS and SMREC, seed pieces of each of ten
Irish potato cultivars were sown into plots 40 feet long
and 3.5 feet wide. Seed potatoes were provided by Irish
potato breeding programs in North Dakota, Oregon, and
Idaho. Seed pieces were spaced 12 inches apart within
the row at the end of March at SMREC and in the begin-
ning of April at NAHS. Potatoes were harvested at the
start of July at NAHS and at the beginning of August at
SMREC.
Yields at SMREC were low due to the condi-
tions described above. Yields did not differ among grades
(A=48.0 CWT per acre; B=26.3 CWT per acre; C=5.8
CWT per acre) or for total marketable potatoes (avg.=80.1
CWT per acre) among the cultivars tested. However,
yields and separations between the different cultivars
tested were apparent at NAHS (Table 1).
As in 1997, 'LaRouge' and 'NDO 2686-6R' per-
formed well. Approximately 50 percent of their total
marketable yields graded as A's. Additionally, 'NDO
4588-5', 'NDO 4592-3', and 'Ida Rose' all produced
more than 100 CWT per acre with most of their potatoes
graded as A's.
Skin color was also measured to determine just how
red each cultigen was as compared to the others. This
was measured with an instrument that quantified the red-
ness of the skin. Ratings below reflect how close the skin
color of each potato was to true red (i.e., how intense the
redness of each potato was). The following list is orga-
nized from the most red to the least red: 'Ida Rose', 'COO
86107-1R', 'LaRouge', 'NorDonna', 'NDO 4592-3',
'ND 2225-1R', 'NDO 2686-1R', 'ND 5084-3R', 'NDO
4300-1R', and 'NDO 4588-5'.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
- 19
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 1. YIELD AND GRADE DISTIRBUTION (CWT/ACRE
1
) OF SELECTED IRISH POTATO CULTIVARS
GROWN AT THE NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURAL STATION
Total Total
Entry marketable
2  
yield
3  
A B C Cull
LaRouge 189.1 203.6 109.8 58.3 21.1 14.5
NDO 2686-6R 170.1 186.2 93.8 53.1 23.1 16.1
NDO 4588-5 146.8 160.5 46.2 76.9 23.8 13.7
NDO 4592-3 122.4 135.0 67.5 32.3 22.6 12.5
Ida Rose 110.0 114.4 68.6 31.9 9.4 4.4
NDO 4300-1R 99.3 100.7 27.0 38.6 33.7 1.5
COO 86107-1R 84.2 96.2 43.3 32.6 8.4 12.0
ND 2225-1R 80.0 84.0 29.0 30.4 20.6 4.0
NorDonna 79.5 83.2 23.3 29.3 26.9 3.7
ND 5084-3R 42.0 43.8 14.3 16.4 11.3 1.8
Isd' 77.2 76.9 48.3 33.4 26.3
' 1 CWT/acre = 100 lb/acre
2 Total marketable yield is calculated from the sum of weights for A, B, and C grade potatoes.
3 Total yield is calculated as the sum of weights for total marketable yield and cull.
4 lsd = least significant difference 
(p-=0.05).
20
FALL1998VEGTABL VARETYTRIAS 
2
'Red Giant' Mustard Gives
Color to Leafy Greens Trial
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, and Randy Akridge
Leafy green variety trials were conducted at the
Brewton Experiment Field (BEF) in Brewton and in-
cluded collard, kale, mustard, and turnip green varieties
(Tables 1 and 2). Leafy greens were direct seeded on
October 14 onto 20-foot long and five-foot wide plots.
Each plot consisted of seven closely spaced rows, which
created a plant population of approximately 500,000
plants per acre.
Soils were fertilized according to the recommenda-
tions of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory.
Names of chemicals are mentioned only for describing
the production practices used. This represents neither a
recommendation nor an endorsement of these products.
Current recommendations for pest and weed control in
vegetable production in Alabama may be found in IPM
Commercial Vegetables: Insect, Disease, Nematode, and
Weed Control Recommendations (Publication 98IPM-2
from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System).
Fertilization consisted of a preplant application of
400 pounds per acre of 14-4-14. Turnip, mustard, and
kale varieties were sidedressed with 175 pounds per acre
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1998 LEAFY GREENS
VARIETY TRIAL
1
Location BEF
Weather 5
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
of ammonium nitrate (NH
4
NO
3
) in November. Because
of their longer grower season, collards received an addi-
tional 175 pounds per acre of 34-0-0 on December 3.
Leafy greens were harvested when they reached mar-
ketable size (Table 3). Harvest dates were December 2,
1998 for kale, mustard, and turnip varieties, and January
25, 1999 for collard varieties. All leaf yields were ex-
pressed in 30-pound bushels per acre.
As in 1997, collard varieties were harvested later
than the other greens. 'Flash Hybrid' and 'Top Bunch'
were the highest yielders both years. Both varieties had
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE AND EARLINESS OF SELECTED LEAFY GREEN VARIETIES
Variety Type Crop Seed source Days to harvest
White Egg OP Turnip Rupp Seeds 50
Tokyo Cross F1 Turnip Takii 35
Purple top White Globe OP Turnip Asgrow,Stokes 60
Seven Top OP Turnip Asgrow,Stokes 45
Red Giant OP Mustard Harris Seeds 40
Green Wave - Mustard Stokes 45
Florida Broad Leaf OP Mustard Asgrow,Stokes 50
Southern Giant Curled OP Mustard Petoseed 45
Flash Hybrid F1 Collard A&C,Stokes 73
Georgia OP Collard Stokes 80
Top Bunch F1 Collard Sakata 70
Vates OP Collard Stokes 56
Champion OP Collard Harris Seeds 75
Morris Heading OP Collard Asgrow 80
Dwarf Siberian - Kale Kelly Seed-
F1 = hybrid; OP = open pollinated. - = not found; from seed catalogues.
FALL 1.....
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
21
22 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
leaf yields significantly higher than those of the stan-
dard 'Vates' in 1997 and 1998
All mustard varieties had green leaves except 'Red
Giant' which had red leaves. 'Florida Broad Leaf',
'Southern Giant Curled', and 'Red Giant' had signifi-
cantly higher leaf yields than 'Green Wave'.
Among the turnip varieties, 'Seven Top' and 'White
Egg' showed no sign of black rot infection, while 'To-
kyo Cross' and 'Purple Top' did slightly. 'White Egg'
was not deeply rooted, and was difficult to cut without
pulling the root.
Overall, the most attractive leafy green varieties in
this test were 'Flash Hybrid' and 'Top Bunch' collard,
'Florida Broad Leaf' mustard, and 'Seven Top' turnip.
Two other entries were planted, but were not included
in the results. One was 'Garland Chrisanthemum', an
edible chrisanthemum sold as chineese green. It may be
of interest for home-garden production, but its prostrate
growing habit does not allow its mechanical harvest. The
other one was 'Joi Choi' also sold as chineese greens. In
fact, 'Joi Choi' was a bok-choy type oriental cabbage. It
is worth mentioning that under the very high seeding rate
used in this test, we produced a very high number of
uniform baby bok choi. This type of oriental greens is in
high demand by oriental restaurants.
TABLE 3. LEAF YIELD OF SELECTED LEAFY
GREEN VARIETIES (30-POUND BUSHEL) AT THE
BREWTON EXPERIMENT FIELD
Variety Crop Leaf yield
bu./a
Flash Hybrid Collard 870
Top Bunch Collard 833
Champion Collard 655
Vates Collard 636
Morris Headig Collard 594
Georgia Collard 581
Dwarf Siberian Kale 401
Florida Broad Leaf Mustard 718
Southern Giant Curled Mustard 627
Red Giant Mustard 611
Green Wave Mustard 576
Seven Top Turnip 654
White Egg Turnip 567
Purple Top Turnip 547
Tokyo Cross Turnip 485
R
2  
0.71
CV 15
lsd 120
22 ALABAMA-AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
23
Hot Peppers
Return to Trials
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, Bobby Boozer, Arnold Caylor, and Jim Pitts
Hot pepper varieties trials were conducted at the
Chilton Area Horticulture Station (CAHS) in Clanton and
North Alabama Horticultural Station (NAHS) in Cullman
(Tables 1 and 2). At both locations, hot peppers were
planted in four-foot-long, double row plots with a within-
row spacing of 12 inches. Plants were grown on black
plastic and drip irrigation was used. Beds were fumi-
gated with methyl bromide at a rate of 200 pounds per
acre on April 24 at CAHS and April 27 at NAHS. Pep-
pers were transplanted on May 1 at CAHS and May 16
at NAHS.
At CAHS, fertilization consisted of a pre-plant ap-
plication of 13-13-13. After planting, Calcium nitrate
[Ca(NO3)
2
] and 20-20-20 were injected alternatively once
a week beginning May 13 and ending August 7. Fungi-
cides used were Kocide (at a rate of two pounds per acre)
on May 14, May 26, June 8, June 23, July 15, July 24,
and July 29; Manex (at a rate of 1.5 quarts per acre) on
May 14, May 26, June 8, June 23, and July 15; Manzate
(at a rate of three pounds per acre on July 29; and Dithane
(at a rate of 2.5 pounds per acre) on July 24. Insect con-
trol was provided by applications of Thiodan (rates of
1.5 to 3.2 pounds per acre) on May 14, May 26, and
June 23; Lannate (at a rate of one quart per acre) on July
15; Imidan (at a rate of 1.5 pounds per acre) on July 24
and July 29; and, Monitor (at a rate of one quart per
acre) on June 8.
At NAHS, preplant fertilization consisted of a pre-
plant application of 80 pounds per acre of N as ammo-
nium nitrate. Beginning after transplanting and through
final harvest, hot peppers were fertilized with weekly
injections alternatively of calcium nitrate and ammonium
nitrate at a rate of five pounds of N per acre for each
injection. This provided a total of 140 pounds of N per
acre.
Fungicides used were Bravo 720 (at a rate of two
pints per acre) on June 3 and June 7; Dithane F-45 (at a
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1997 HOT PEPPERS
VARIETY TRIALS'
Location CAHS NAHS
Weather 5 5
Fertility 5 5
Irrigation 5 5
Pests 5 5
Overall 5 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
rate of 2.4 quarts per acre) on June 18, June 21, June 28,
and July 3; and Kocide 101 (at a rate of three pounds per
acre) on June 18, June 21, and July 3. Insect control
consisted of applications of Dimethoate (at a rate of twp
pints per acre) on June 7; Asana XL (at a rate of 9.6
ounces per acre) on June 3, June 7, June 21, July 3, July
12, July 19, July 26, and August 2; Thiodan (at a rate of
2.5 pounds per acre) on July 12; and, Lannate (at a rate
of three pints per acre) on July 19, July 26, and August
2.
Peppers were harvested four times beginning July
13 at CAHS, and June 4, June 28, August 5, and Au-
gustl7 at NAHS. Early yield, total yield, and the weight
of 25 pods were determined (Table 3).
The main differences in hot pepper varieties were
pod type and pungency. Complete variety recommenda-
tions can be found in the Alabam Cooeprative Extension
System circular ANR 1041 "Pepper varieties for Ala-
bama'." In the cayenne type, 'Messilla' had the highest
yields. Yields of 'Thai Dragon' were lower because of
small fruits. No significant differences were found among
the yields ofjalopeno varieties at CAHS. 'Mitla' is pres-
ently the standard variety in that group. Top jalapeno
varieties were 'Picante' at CAHS and 'Peco' at NAHS.
No bacterial leaf spot was present in either test.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS - 23
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, AND RELATIVE EARLINESS
OF SELECTED HOT PEPPER VARIETIES
Variety Type Classification Seed Days to Shape Color RSR* Disease
source harvest claims
Mesilla Fl Cayenne Petoseed 87 2-celled; G-R 2,000-4,000 TbP,PVY
Wrinkled,long TEV
Mulato Isleno OP Poblano Petoseed 89 Tapered end G-Br 500-1,000 -
Ole OP Jumbo Jalapeno Ferry-Morse 80 Tapered end G-R - -
Papri King OP Paprika Petoseed 100 Flat-tapered G-R 500-1,000 -
Passilla Bajio OP Cayenne Petoseed 77 Long:2-celled G-Br 100-250 TbMV
Super Chili F1 Pimento Petoseed 75 Tapered end G-R 30,000-40,000 -
Thai Dragon F1 Pimento Burpee 70 Tapered end G-R
Vulcano F1 Hungarian Wax Ferry-Morse 63. Tapered Y-R - TbMV
Picante Fl Jalapeno Harris Seeds 80 Cylindrical; G-R - TbMV
Blunt end
Mitla Fl Jalapeno Petoseed 74 Bullet-Shaped G-R 4,000-5,000 -
Cherry Bomb Fl Hot Cherry Petoseed 78 Oblate or G-R 2,500-5,000 TbMV
Globe-shaped
Ancho San Luis OP Ancho Petoseed 78 Heart-shaped; G-R 1,500-4,000-
Blunt point
Santa Fe Grande OP Jalapeno Petoseed 77 Large,Conical Y-O-Y 5,000-8,000 TbMV
Tapering
Firenza Fl Jalapeno Novartis - Cylindrical G-R -
-
Blunt end
Pecos Fl Jalapeno Novartis - Cylindrical G-R -
-
Blunt end
OP=open pollinated; Fl=hybrid
- = not found; from seed catalogs
G= green; R= Red; Br=brown
TbMV= Tobacco Mosaic Virus; TEV= Tobacco Etch Virus; PVY=Potato Virus Y; TbP=Tobamo P
* RSR = Relative Scoville Rating; the higher the rating, the hotter the variety
ALABAMA-AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
24
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 25
TABLE 3. TOTAL YIELD, EARLY YIELD, AND INDIVIDUAL POD SIZE OF SELECTED HOT PEPPER
VARIEITES AT THE CHILTON AREA HORTICULTURE STATION AND
THE NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE STATION
Total Early
Variety Type marketable weight marketable weight Pod weight
lbs./a lbs./a lbs./100 pod
Chilton Area Horticulture Station
Mesilla - 50,483 3,144 4.4
Papri King Paprika 47,664 2,569 
3.7
Vulcano Wax 38,020 7,171 5.9
Picante Jalapeno 36,985 5,388 3.4
Mitla Jalapeno 33,457 5,809 
3.3
Ole Jalapeno 32,441 2,914 3.7
Santa Fe Grande Jalapeno 27,561 1,543 2.7
Cherry Bomb Cherry 26,833 3,633 4.0
Passilla Bajio Cayenne 20,362 1,726 2.5
Ancho San Luis Ancho 19,576 1,802 4.4
Super Chili Chili 18,694 1,112 0.7
Mulato Isleno Poblano 14,054 2,052 3.3
Thai Dragon Cayenne 11,350 882 0.8
R
2  
0.59 0.53 0.81
CV 38 65 22
lsd 15,856 3,124 1.1
North Alabama Horticulture Station
Peco Jalapeno 33,741 22,168
Firenza Jalapeno 23,170 18,282
R
2  
0.38 0.48
CV 26 38
lsd 10,144 7,540
A Broader Selection
of Ornamental Corn Varieties
Showcased this Year
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, and Tony Dawkins
Ornamental corn is a potential companion crop for
Halloween pumpkin. Thus, it is often produced at a time
of the year when insect populations of European corn
borer, corn ear worm, and Fall army worm are close to
their peak.
Because many types of ornamental corn exist, a se-
ries of variety trials was planted at the Gulf Coast Re-
search and Extension Center (GCREC) in Fairhope, the
Horticulture Unit at the E.V. Smith Research Center
(EVSRC) near Shorter, and the Sand Mountain Research
and Extension Center (SMREC) in Crossville (Tables 1
and 2). However, tests at GCREC and EVSRC were lost
to a summer storm and insect damage, respectively.
To avoid cross-pollination that affects ear size and
kernel color, ornamental corn varieties were planted in
isolation on four blocks at SMREC. Each block was ap-
proximately 200 feet away from any other corn planting.
Varieties in each block were planted every two weeks. A
total of 17 varieties was planted. Corn was direct seeded
on bare ground in six-row plots, each 20 feet long on
June 10, June 19, June 30, July 10, and July 20. Within-
row spacing was six to eight inches and rows were 2.5
feet apart, which created a stand of approximately 26,000
plants per acre.
At each block, 13-13-13 was applied preplant at the
rate of 300 pounds per acre. Corn plants were sidedressed
with ammonium nitrate at a rate of 180 pounds per acre
on July 2 and Julyl6 for planting date one; July 8 and
July 28 for planting date two; July 15 and August 3 for
planting date three; July 28 and August 11 for planting
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1998 ORNAMENTAL CORN
VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location GCREC EVSRC SMREC
Weather 4 4 4
Fertility 5 5 5
Irrigation 5 5 5
Pests 1 2 3
Overall 1 2 3
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
date four; and August 3 and August 17 for planting date
five.
Aatrex and Dual herbicides was applied tank mixed.
(at rates of 1.5 quarts per acre and 0.75 quart per acre)
on June 10, June 22, July 6, Julyl4, and July 21, 1998.
Insecticides used were Asana (at a rate of 3.5-8
ounces per acre) on July 20, August 26, September 2,
and September 18; Lannate (at a rate of one pint per acre)
on July 29 and August 19; and Sevin XLR (at a rate of
one pint per acre) on August 10.
Block and successive plantings introduce confound-
ing effects. However, these practices were selected be-
cause they allowed the production of true-to-type ears
and kernels. For each block, the two outside rows were
used as guard rows. Each of the inside four rows was
considered a replication. Ears were allowed to dry on
the plant and were harvested beginning August 4, and
then as needed. Yield and ear characteristics (Table 3)
were determined.
26
ALABAMA. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE AND FRUIT TYPE OF SELECTED ORNAMENTAL CORN VARIETIES
Variety Type Seed source Days to harvest Ear length
inm.
Chinook Ornamental Rupp Seeds 90 5-7
Wampum Ornamental Rupp Seeds 95 4-6
Calico Indian Ornamental Stokes 100 9
Indian Art 101 Ornamental Rupp Seeds 107
Indian Art 102 Ornamental Rupp Seeds
Indian Art 103 Ornamental Rupp Seeds 100
Indian Art 104 Ornamental Rupp Seeds 107
Indian Art 105 Ornamental Rupp Seeds
Seneca Red Stalker* Ornamental Rupp Seeds 110
Hopi Blue Ornamental Rupp Seeds 110 8-10
Broom Corn MC Popcorn Rupp Seeds 120
Little Bell Ornamental Rupp Seeds 103 7-8
Fiesta Ornamental Rupp Seeds 100 8
Indian Ornamental (Flint) Ornamental Rupp Seeds 110 8-10
Little Bow Peep Popcorn Rupp Seeds 100 2-4
Indian Fingers Popcorn Rupp Seeds 100 2.5-4.5
Strawberry Popcorn Rupp Seeds 100 2
- = Not found from seed catalog; - = Not applicable
*Red Stalker is appreciated for its colorful stalk.
TABLE 3. YIELD AND PLANT CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED ORNAMENTAL CORN VARIETIES AT
THE SAND MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER
Variety Yield Ear number Stand' Plant height Ear set height
lbs./a no./a % in. in.
Indian Art 105 4,483 21,775 93 76 31
Little Bell 3,756 31,356 91 77 29
Indian Art 101 2,486 13,355 89 60 0
Indian Art 2,070 10,670 55 63 16
Flint 1,431 8,420 99 86 0
Indian Fingers 766 16,114 103 49 27
Wampum 716 13,718 76 51 17
Red Stalker 491 6,968 73 55 21
Red Strawberry 303 10,452 81 40 18
Chinook 264 6,097 75 61 13
Calico Indian 168 2,613 23 51 17
R
2  
0.86 0.81 0.74 0.91 0.96
CV 45 35 20 8 13
lsd 1,090 6,567 22 7 3.8
'100% stand corresponds to 35,000 plants per acre.
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
27
28 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Results of 1998 Southern Pea
Cooperative Trials
Eric Simonne, Edgar Vinson, Jim Bannon, and Jason Burkett
Observational and replicated Southern pea coopera-
tive trials were conducted at the Horticulture Unit at the
E.V. Smith Research Center near Shorter (Table 1).
These breeders' trials aim at evaluating the potential of
cultigens not yet released. Results of these trials are of
interest primarily to the breeders. However, new variet-
ies of Southern pea are likely to come out of this selec-
tion of cultigens.
Southern peas were planted on July 6 onto two-row,
20-foot long plots at a one-foot within-row spacing.
Rows were 2.5 feet apart. One ton of lime per acre was
used to raise the pH to 6.5. Preplant fertilizer was 0-0-
60 at a rate of 150 pounds per acre. Plants were injected
with 83% anhydrous ammonium at a rate of 40 pounds
N per acre. The test was drip irrigated.
Weed control consisted of roto-cultivation and a
preplant application of Treflan (at a rate of 1.5 pints per
acre) on June 18. Plots were also hand weeded on July
27. Thiodan (at a rate of 1.3 quarts per acre) was applied
for insect control on August 13, August 21, and August
25.
Southern peas were harvested as needed between
September 2 and September 8 when 80 percent of the
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 1998 SOUTHERN PEA
VARIETY TRIAL
1
Location EVSRC
Weather 5
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
pods were dry. To estimate yield and to compensate for
different percentages of dry and mature green pods
among the plots, all peas shelled from each plot's har-
vest were placed into containers with water to allow the.
dry ones to soak up water (imbibe) overnight. Compari-
sons are then more realistic since all peas are at the same
moisture level. Imbibed weights are estimates of mature
green, shelled weight yield (Table 2). Bushels of fresh,
in-pod yield per acre may be estimated by multiplying
the imbibed weight by two (assuming an average shell-
out of 50 percent) and dividing it by 25 (the average
weight of a bushel of fresh, unshelled Southern peas).
28 ALABAMA-AGRICUL-T-URAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 1 998 VEG ETABLE VARIETY TRIALS -2
TABLE 2. YIELD OF SELECTED ENTRIES IN THE 1998 REPLICATED AND OBSERVATIONAL SOUTHERN
PEA SOUTHERN COOPERATORS' TRIAL
Number of Hand Imbibed
Entry Days to harvest harvests shellout In-pod yield shelled yield
%lbs./a ibs./a
Replicated Test
R-1 TX-49 60 1 35 1,320 912
R-2 TX-38 60 1 40 1,055 864
R-3 TX-60 60 1 46 839 838
R-4 TX-74 57 1 35 3,863 1,043
R-5 US-865 60 1 46 1,593 1,178
R-6 US-867 57 1 39 2,662 1,445
R-7 US-880 60 1 48 1,624 1,244
R-8 US-881 57 1 41 1,923 1,156
R-9 AR-92-551 57 1 38 2,940 1,286
R-10 AR-92-552 57 1 36 3,005 1,331
R-11 AR-92-574 57 1 24 2,395 685
R-12 AR-87-435-68 57 1 29 3,713 883
R-13 Coronet 57 1 54 2,720 1,797
R-14 Arkansas #1 57 1 33 4,479 1,058
R-15 Early Ace 60 1 40 1,228 852
1R2 0.58 0.51
CV 43 44
lsd 1,458 500
Observational Test
0-1 TX-49 60 1 28 2,417 915
0-2 TX-76 54 1 16 4,423 987
0-3 LA-92-180 60 1 27 1,604 787
0-4 US-910 60 1 31 2,220 945
0-5 US-905 54 1 29 7,414 1,070
0-6 US-909 60 1 24 2,374 775
0-7 AR-95-104 60 1 33 2,245 1,141
0-8 AR-95-105 54 1 32 5,681 891
0-9 AR-96-918 60 1 31 1,724 933
0-10 AR-95-195 60 1 48 1,116 1,087
0-11 AR-95-368 54 1 37 2,749 845
0-12 Coronet 57 1 54 2,720 1,797
0-13 Early Ace 60 1 40 1,228 852
CV.
lsd
FALL 1998 VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 29
30 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Seed Sources for Alabama 
Trials
Asgrow Seed Co.
South Alabama
Rusty Autry
Venice, FL
(941 ) 497-4227
North Alabama
Ken Baker
Hendersonville, TN
(615) 824-0383
Harris Seeds
Greg Tyler
60 Saginaw Dr.
Rochester, NY 14692-2960
(800) 544 7938
(209) 579-7333
Fax (716) 442-9386
Abbott and Cobb (A&C)
Pete Suddarth
4517 Tillman Bluff Rd.
Valdosta, GA 31602
(912) 249-8135
Stokes Seeds Inc.
Joe Butwin
PO Box 548
Buffalo, NY 14240-0548
(800) 263-7233
Fax (905) 684-8499
Takii Seed
Haki Yamasaki
301 Natividad Rd
Salinas, CA 93906
(408) 443-4901
Ferry-Morse Seed Co.
Glenn McKay
PO Box 392
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-6574
Petoseed
Cameron Sutherland
6604 Tomy Lee
Tallahassee, FL 32308-1643
(850) 894-8026
Fax (850) 894-8036
Email Cameron.Sutherland
@SVSeeds.com
Vilmorin
Tom Gordon
16 Gregg Street
Trumansburg, NY 14886
(607) 387-3959
Fax (607) 387-3357
Email Vilseed@fltg.net
Rupp Seeds
Roger Rupp
17919 County Road B
Wansiom, OH 43567
(419) 337-1841
Novartis (Rogers Brand)
Curt Pollard
2101 Melrose Drive
Valdosta, GA 31602
(912) 560-1863
(912) 244-2922
Email curt.pollard@seed.novartis.com
Sakata Seeds Company
Howard Adams
PO Box 1103
Lehigh, FL 33970-1103
(813) 369-0032
Kelly Seed Company
Jack Stuckey
100 Shilo Rd
PO Box 370
Hartford, AL 36344
Fax (334) 588-6144
Johnny's Select Seeds
Robsert L. Johnston, Jr.
1 Foss Hill Road
RR1 Box 2580
Albion, ME 04910-9731
Fax (800) 437-4290
Hollar Seeds
John Kolmer
P.O. Box 106
Rocky Ford, CO 81067-0106
(719) 254-7411
Fax (719) 254-3539
Internet www.hollarseeds.com
Harris Moran Seed Company
Dottie Robustelli
PO Box 4938
Modesto, CA 95352-4938
(209) 579-7333
Fax (209) 527-5312
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION30