Spring 2008 Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Variety Trials

May 2009 Regional Bulletin 21 Auburn University North Carolina State University Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Richard Guthrie, Director Auburn University, Alabama
Printed in cooperation with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University)

Contents
page Authors ................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction: Interpreting Vegetable Varieties Performance Results ........................................................................................5 Alabama Trials Cantaloupe Varieties Compared in North Alabama .....................................................................................................................7 New Tomato Varieties, New Standards ..........................................................................................................................................9 Top Summer Squash Varieties Show Early High Yield..............................................................................................................12 North Carolina Trials Replicated Seedless Table Grape Cultivar Trial ...........................................................................................................................15 Seed Sources for Alabama Trials ...................................................................................................................................................18 Guidelines for Contributions to the Vegetable Variety Regional Bulletin

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

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

Published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An equal opportunity educator and employer.

Authors
Randy Akridge Superintendent Brewton Agriculture Research Unit P.O. Box 217 Brewton, AL 36427 (251) 867-3139 Jason Burkett Superintendent E.V. Smith Research Center (334) 727-6159 Arnold Caylor Superintendent North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (256) 734-5820 Carl Cantialuppi Extension Area Agent, Horticulture North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Person County Center Roxboro, NC (336) 599-1195 carl_cantaluppi@ncsu.edu Joe Kemble Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist Department of Horticulture Auburn University, AL (334) 844-3050 kembljm@auburn.edu Edgar Vinson Research Associate III Department of Horticulture Auburn University, AL (334) 844-8494 vinsoed@auburn.edu

Introduction: Interpreting Vegetable Varieties Performance Results
Edgar Vinson and Joe Kemble he spring 2008 variety trials regional bulletin includes research results from Auburn University and North Carolina State University. The information provided by this report must be studied carefully in order to make the best selections possible. Although yield is a good indicator of varietal performance, other information must be studied. The following provides a few tips to help producers adequately interpret results in this report.

T

Open pollinated or hybrid varieties. In general, hybrids (also referred to as F1) are earlier and produce a more uniform crop. They have improved disease, pest, or virus tolerance/ resistance. F1 varieties are often more expensive than open pollinated varieties (OP), and seeds cannot be collected from one crop to plant the next. Despite the advantages hybrids offer, OP are still often planted in Alabama. Selecting a hybrid variety is the first step toward earliness and quality. Yield potential. Yields reported in variety trial results are extrapolated from small plots. Depending on the vegetable crop, plot sizes range between 100 to 500 square feet. Yields per acre are estimated by multiplying plot yields by corrective factors ranging from 100 to 1,000. Small errors are thus amplified, and estimated yields per acre may not be realistic. Therefore, locations cannot be compared by just looking at the range of yields actually reported. However, the relative differences in performance among varieties are realistic, and can be used to identify best-performing varieties. Statistical interpretation. The coefficient of determination (R2), coefficient of variation (CV) and least significant difference (LSD, 5%) are reported for each test. These numbers are helpful in separating the differences due to small plots (sampling error) and true (but unknown) differences among entries. R2 values range between 0 and 1. Values close to 1 suggest that the test was conducted under good conditions and most of the variability observed was mainly due to the effect of variety and replication. Random, uncontrolled errors were of lesser importance. CV is an expression of yield 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 cantaloupe trial presented in this issue conducted at E.V. Smith Research Center, ‘Jaipur’ yielded 34,872 pounds per acre, while ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Wrangler’ yielded 29,653 and 18,997 pounds per acre, respectively. Since there was less than a 12,244 difference between ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Wrangler’, there is no statistical difference between these two varieties. However, the yield difference between ‘Jaipur’ and ‘Wrangler’ was 15,875, indicating that there is a real difference between these two varieties. From a practical point of view, producers should place the most importance on lsd values when interpreting results. Testing conditions. AU vegetable variety trials are conducted under standard, recommended commercial production practices. If the cropping system to be used is different from that used in the trials, the results of the trials may not apply. Information on soil type (Table 1), planting dates, fertilizer rates, and detailed spray schedule are provided to help producers compare their own practices to the standard one used in the trials and make relevant adjustments. Ratings of trials. At each location, variety trials were rated on a 1 to 5 scale, based on weather conditions, fertilization, irrigation, pest pressure and overall performance (Table 2). Results from trials with ratings of 2 and under are not reported. These numbers may be used to interpret differences in performance from location to location. The overall rating may be used to give more importance to the results of variety performance under good growing conditions. Where to get seeds. Because seeds are alive, their performance and germination rate depends on how old they are, where and how they were collected, and how they have been handled and stored. It is always preferable to get certified seeds from a reputable source, such as the ones listed in Seed Sources, page 18.

Several factors other than yield have to be considered when choosing a vegetable variety from a variety trial report. The main factors are type, resistance and tolerance to diseases, earliness, and of course, availability and cost of seeds. It is always better to try two to three varieties on a small scale before making a large planting of a single variety.

Vegetable trials on the Web. For more vegetable variety information be sure to visit our Web page at http://www. ag.auburn.edu/aaes/communications/publications/fruitsnutsvegs.html.

TABLE 1. SOIL TYPES AT THE LOCATION OF THE TRIAL Location Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (Fairhope) Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (Brewton) Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (Headland) Lower Coastal Plain Research and Extension (Camden) EV Smith Research Center, Horticultural Unit (Shorter) Chilton Area Horticultural Substation (Clanton) Upper Coastal Plain Research and Extension Center (Winfield) North Alabama Horticultural Research Center (Cullman) Water holding capacity (in/in) 0.09-0.19 0.12-0.14 0.14-0.15 0.13-0.15 0.15-0.17 0.13-0.15 0.13-0.20 0.16-0.20 Soil type Malbis fine sandy loam Benndale fine sandy loam Dothan sandy loam Forkland fine sandy loam Norfolk-orangeburg loamy sand Luvernue sandy loam Savannah loam Hartsells-Albertville fine sandy loam

TABLE 2. DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS Rating 5 4 3 2 1 Weather Very Good Favorable Acceptable Adverse Destructive Fertilizer Very Good Good Acceptable Low Very Low Irrigation Very Good Good Acceptable Low Insufficient Pests None Light Tolerable Adverse Destructive Overall Excellent Good Acceptable Questionable Useless

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

CANTALOUPE Cantaloupe Varieties Compared in North Alabama
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, and Jason Burkett A small melon trial was conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (NAHRC) in Cullman, Alabama, and at the E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter (Tables 1 and 2). Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent online at http://www.aces.edu/counties/).
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2008 CANTALOUPE VARIETY TRIAL1 Location Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall
1

NAHRC 5 5 5 5 5

EVSRC 3 5 5 5 5

Cantaloupe and varieties were direct-seeded on May 6 at EVSRC and April 30 at NAHRC into 30 foot rows with 6 feet between rows and a within row spacing of 2 feet. Drip irrigation and black plastic mulch were used. Melons were harvested six times from July 9 through July 21 at EVSRC and eight times from July 7 through July 25 at NAHRC. At both locations, melons were harvested at half slip stage of maturity (Table 3). At NAHRC, there were no differences in marketable yield. All varieties were statistically similar to the market standard ‘Athena’. In the marketable yield category, ‘Gala’ was the top producing variety. At over 36,000 fruit per acre, ‘Gala’ produced a significantly higher number of fruit than all other varieties. ‘Gala’ fruit were small, weighing approximately 1.5 pounds per fruit. At EVSRC, six varieties were evaluated. ‘Jaipur’, ‘Eclipse’, and ‘Odyssey’ were all similar to ‘Athena’ in total marketable yield. In total marketable number, all varieties with the exception of ‘Halona’ were similar to ‘Athena’.

See introduction for description of ratings scales

TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, AND RELATIVE EARLINESS OF SELECTED CANTALOUPE VARIETIES Variety Aphrodite Athena Eclipse Gala Girlie Halona Jaipur Master Choice Odyssey Orange Sherbet Sigal Tasty Sherbet Victoria Wrangler
1

Type1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1

Seed source Seedway/Novartis Seedway/Novartis Seminis Palmer Palmer Johnny’s Seminis Palmer Sunseeds Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Hollar

Rind aspect2 E E E Sp Sp E E E E E Sp E E E

Flesh color3 O O O G G O O O O O G O O O

Days to harvest 72 80 85 70 80 73 — 85 75 83 60 86 80 85

Disease claims4 FW FW,PM FW,PM FW,PM FW,PM FW,PM — Alt,FW,PM ,PV FW FW,PM PM Alt,FW,PM FW,PM FW,PM

Type: F1 = hybrid variety. 2 Rind Aspect: E= Eastern ; SP= Specialty. 3 Flesh Color: O = Orange. 4 Disease Claims: Alt=Alternaria, FW = Fusarium Wilt, PV=Potty Virus, PM = Powdery Mildew.

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TABLE 3. PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED EASTERN CANTALOUPE VARIETIES Variety Marketable yield Marketable fruit Individual fruit weight Percent soluble solids lb/A no/A lb (brix)

Cull weight lb/A

North Alabama Horticulture Research Center – Cullman, AL Eclipse Halona Tasty Sherbet Orange Sherbet Aphrodite Odyssey Jaipur Athena Girlie Master Choice Gala Wrangler Sigal Victoria R2 CV LSD Jaipur Eclipse Athena Odyssey Wrangler Halona R
2

73,453 73,222 71,404 69,626 67,237 64,066 63,261 62,230 61,411 61,141 59,503 57,166 51,776 47,485 0.24 32 28,702 34,872 32,604 31,704 29,653 18,997 15,713 0.51 30 12,244

12,614 16,698 18,059 12,070 9,710 9,892 11,253 12,614 17,243 12,070 36,209 17,515 11,616 10,073 0.40 70 14,761 6,806 5,899 6,534 4,991 5,264 3,721 0.30 36 2,992

5.80 4.38 3.95 5.73 6.92 6.47 5.01 4.93 3.56 5.08 1.64 3.26 4.45 4.71 0.85 13 0.90 5.14 5.79 4.88 5.86 3.67 4.85 0.50 17 1.30

11.13 11.28 11.65 12.65 10.80 9.85 12.23 12.03 11.14 12.05 11.40 12.43 12.05 9.53 0.30 14 2.28 • • • • • •

• * * * * * * * * * * * * *

E.V. Smith Research Center – Shorter, AL 3,056 2,650 3,651 2,737 2,010 9,648 0.50 80 5,240

CV LSD

• = information not available.

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

TOMATO New Tomato Varieties, New Standards
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Randy Akridge, and Arnold Caylor Spring tomato variety trials were conducted at the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (BARU) and the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center (NAHRC) in Cullman (Tables 1 and 2). At both locations, five-week-old tomato transplants were set on May 1 onto 20-foot long plots at a within-row spacing of 1.5 feet. White plastic mulch and drip irrigation were used. Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. At BARU, 13-13-13 was applied pre-plant on April 4. Plants received weekly, alternating injections of potassium nitrate or calcium nitrate (at a rate of 10 to 20 pounds per acre) from May 8 through July 15. Pesticides were applied weekly from May 21 through July 18. At NAHRC, plants received weekly injections of ammonium nitrate at a rate of 10 pounds per acre. No pesticides were applied. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2008 TOMATO VARIETY TRIAL1 Location Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall
1

BARU 5 5 5 5 5

NAHRC 4 5 5 5 5

See introduction for description of ratings scales

Alabama, consult your county extension agent (see http:// www.aces.edu/counties/). Tomatoes were harvested, weighed, and graded on July 22 and July 28 at BARU and July 18 through August 11 at NAHRC. Grades and corresponding fruit diameters of fresh market tomato were adapted from the Tomato Grader’s Guide (Circular ANR 643 from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System) and were Jumbo (diameter greater than 3.5 inch), extra-large (diameter greater than 2.9 inch), large (diameter greater than 2.5 inch) and medium (diameter greater than 2.3 inch). Marketable yield was the sum of jumbo, extra-large, large, and medium grades (Table 3). At BARU, the market standard ‘Florida 47’ produced remarkably lower total marketable yields than all other varieties. In this category, ‘BHN 640’, a standard TSWV resistant variety, performed as well as ‘Nico’, ‘Bella Rosa’, and ‘Amelia’ but produced yields that were significantly lower than ‘OFRI’. In the individual fruit weight category, ‘OFRI’ produced significantly larger fruit than all other varieties. This accounts for ‘OFRI’ having the highest total marketable yield while also being one of the lowest producers in number of fruit per acre. At NAHRC, four advanced experimental lines from North Carolina State University were included again in this trial. One experimental line, NC 07245, produced yields similar to ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Florida 47’. The other experimental lines produced yields that were significantly lower than the standard varieties. These varieties performed as well or better than the ‘Florida 47’ and ‘BHN 640’.

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TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, AND RELATIVE EARLINESS OF SELECTED TOMATO VARIETIES Variety Amelia Bella Rosa BHN 640 Crista Florida 47 NC 057245 NC 0860 NC 07234 NC 07245 Phoenix Nico Talladega OFRI
1

Type1 F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM F1/FM

Seed source Harris Moran Sakata BHN Harris Moran Seminis NC State NC State NC State NC State Seminis Harris Moran Seedway Sieger

Plant habit2 Det Det Det Det Det Det Det Det Det Det Det Det. Det.

Fruit color3 Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red

Days to harvest 80 74 75 74 75 — — — — — — 76 —

Disease claims4 **FW,TSWV,VW *FW,TSWV,VW **FW,TSWV,VW **FW,NE,TSWV,VW ASC,*FW,St,TY,VW TSWV TSWV TSWV TSWV ASC,*FW,St,VW FW,VW TSWV,Nt *FW,St,TSWV,VW ASC,*FW,St,VW

Years evaluated 03-08 07-08 03-08 06-08 97-99,02-07 08 08 08 08 06,08 05-07 07-08 07-08

Type: F1 = Hybrid, FM = Fresh market; 2 Plant habit: Det. = Determinate; 3 Disease claims: FCR = Fusarium Crown Rot; FW = Fusarium Wilt; VW = Verticillium Wilt; ASC = Alternaria Stem Canker; St = Stemphylium (grey leaf spot), TSWV = Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus; * = Races 1 and 2; ** = Races 1, 2, and 3; — = not found, from seed catalog.

TABLE 3. YIELD OF SELECTED TOMATO VARIETIES Total marketable yield lb/A Total marketable number no/A Extra large weight lb/A Extra large number no/A Individual fruit weight lb

Variety

Large weight lb/A

Large Medium number weight no/A lb/A

Medium number no/A

Cull weight lb/A

Brewton Agricultural Research Unit OFRI Nico Bella Rosa Amelia BHN 640 Crista Talladega Phoenix FL.47 R2 CV LSD 39,476 38,150 34,986 33,807 30,747 29,941 26,868 24,538 9,020 0.79 19 8,470 33,665 79,931 73,624 61,009 67,316 59,921 50,243 48,068 20,989 0.83 19 15,196 18,596 19,011 19,437 24,477 12,760 17,062 18,992 16,144 4,481 0.70 26 6,409 16,783 32,190 32,190 36,975 22,946 26,535 29,580 25,339 8,048 0.71 26 9,569 14,029 13,977 11,051 7,130 12,958 9,325 6,132 5,679 3,167 0.82 24 3,218 10,854 31,973 25,991 16,748 30,559 21,424 14,573 13,376 8,374 0.85 22 6,134 6,851 5,162 4,498 2,200 5,030 3,554 1,743 2,715 1,372 0.76 35 1,855 6,027 15,769 15,443 7,286 13,811 11,963 6,090 9,353 4,568 0.61 43 6,370 1.17 0.48 0.48 0.55 0.46 0.50 0.54 0.52 0.44 0.92 15 0.122 3,106 13,406 10,196 11,812 15,468 10,624 17,335 11,623 7,770 0.89 15 2,540 continued

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TABLE 3, CONT. TOTAL YIELD OF SELECTED TOMATO VARIETIES Total Total marketmarketExtra Extra Individual able able large large Large Large Medium Medium Small fruit Cull Variety yield number weight number weight number weight number weight weight weight lb/A no/A lb/A no/A lb/A no/A lb/A no/A lb/A lb lb/A

North Alabama Horticulture Research Center BHN640 NC 07245 Crista Bella Rosa Florida 47 OFRI Talladega
NC 0860 Nico NC 07235 Amelia Mt. Fresh NC 0694 R2 CV LSD

60,901 60,248 55,282 54,188 53,610 50,706 49,622
42,173 41,609 40,881 40,373 36,267 27,301 0.70 16 11,425

112,744 103,993 99,366 92,150 94,024 96,546 93,382
75,602 76,843 71,084 83,127 65,522 55,902 0.74 14 18,005

2,501 4,371 3,090 6,156 4,873 2,362 1,277
6,363 2,738 2,744 4,273 1,688 316 0.62 52 2,679

2,904 4,628 3,086 6,262 5,264 2,541 1,331
6,534 2,425 2,904 4,719 1,815 363 0.64 50 2,638

23,838 29,971 28,324 25,825 22,112 19,943 18,999
18,490 18,420 20,261 16,545 15,746 9,767 0.58 30 8,785

36,151 45,187 45,007 39,243 34,420 32,070 29,017
28,013 31,311 31,698 25,837 24,140 15,761 0.60 29 13,264

34,561 25,905 23,868 22,207 20,160 22,290 19,951
16,508 20,451 17,876 19,990 17,632 17,133 0.53 27 7,982

73,689 54,178 51,274 46,646 43,076 50,003
45,194 35,302 43,106 36,482 46,010 38,750 39,839 0.50 27 17,598

19,477 15,811 17,188 13,053 16,331 21,244
13,445 16,279 16,905 12,945 14,160 16,756 16,403 0.33 28 6,588

0.54 0.58 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.53
0.53 0.56 0.54 0.58 0.49 0.55 0.49 0.56 6 0.05

15,402 13,556 12,078 13,897 20,359 17,526
17,719 16,473 13,864 14,983 11,279 18,250 20,300 0.51 21 4,820

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SQUASH Top Summer Squash Varieties Show Early High Yields
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Randy Akridge, and Jason Burkett A summer squash variety trial was conducted at the E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter and the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit (BARU) in Brewton (Tables 1 and 2). At both locations beds were formed and plastic mulch and drip irrigation were used. Squash varieties were direct seeded on black plastic mulch on May 1 at BARU and May 6 at EVSRC. Beds were 20 feet long on 6-foot centers at EVSRC and 20 feet long on 5-foot centers at BARU. Spacing within a row was 1.5 feet at both locations. Soils were fertilized according to the recommendations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. At BARU, 13-13-13 was applied preplant at a rate of 500 pounds per acre. Fungicides were applied weekly from May 29 through June 13. Plants received weekly, alternating injections of calcium nitrate or potassium nitrate (at a rate of 10 pounds N per acre) from May 8 through June 17. At EVSRC, plants received weekly injections, alternating between potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate (at a rate of 7 pounds N per acre) from May 12 through June 30. For current recommendations for pest and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama, consult your county extension agent or go online to http://www.aces.edu/ counties/. Squash were harvested nine times between July 2 and July 20 at BARU and 10 times from June 9 through July 2 at EVSRC. Squash were graded according to the United Stated Standards for Grades of Summer Squash (U.S. Dept. Agr. G.P.O 1987-180-916:40730 AMS) (Table 3). At BARU, ‘Gentry’ and ‘Conqueror III’ were the top performers in early marketable yield. These varieties as well as ‘XPT 1832 III’ had significantly higher yields than the standard variety ‘Destiny III’. All other varieties, with the exception of ‘Liberator III’ and ‘Gold Star’, were similar in yield to ‘Destiny III’. In the US No. 1 category, ‘Gentry’ had higher yields than all other varieties. US No.1 grade is comprised of fruit of the higher quality. In total marketable yield, ‘XPT 1832 III’ was similar to ‘Gentry’. Both varieties produced significantly higher yields than all other entries. ‘Conqueror III’ was significantly higher than ‘Destiny III’. ‘Liberator, ‘Lioness’, ‘Sunray’, and ‘Gold Star’ produced lower yields than ‘Destiny III’. Both ‘XPT 1832 III’ and ‘Gentry’ produced higher yields of US No. 1 fruit. At EVSRC, ‘Lioness’ topped the list in early marketable yield. These yields were similar to ‘XPT 1832 III’ and ‘Gentry’. There were fewer differences in total marketable yield. ‘Gentry’ was one of the top performers overall. However, with the exception of ‘Sunray’, these yields were statistically similar to all other varieties.
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2008 SUMMER SQUASH VARIETY TRIAL1 Location Weather Fertility Irrigation Pests Overall
1

BARU 5 5 5 5 5

EVSRC 4 5 5 5 5

See introduction for description of ratings scales

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TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT TYPE, AND RELATIVE EARLINESS OF SELECTED SQUASH VARIETIES Variety Conqueror III Destiny III Early Prolific Gentry Gold Star Liberator III Lioness Sunray XPT 1832 III
1

Type1 F1 F1 OP F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1

Seed source Seminis Seminis Seedway Novartis Seedway Seminis Harris Moran Seedway Sieger

Days to harvest 41 41 42 43 44 41 – 45 44

Disease claims2 CMV,PRSV, WMV,ZYMV CMV,WMV,ZYMV – – CMV,PM CMV,WMV,ZYMV CMV,WMV,ZYMV CMV,PM,WMV CMV,WMV,ZYMV

Years evaluated 05-08 97-01,04-06,08 07,08 95-99,02-08 07, 08 06-08 04-08 03,04,07,08 06-08

– = none; from seed catalogues Type: F1 = Hybrid; OP = Open Pollinated. 2 Disease Claims: CMV = Cucumber Mosaic Virus; PM = Powdery Mildew; PRSV = Papaya Ring Spot Virus; ZYMV = Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus ; WMV = Watermelon Mosaic Virus. TABLE 3. EARLY YIELD AND QUALITY OF SELECTED YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH VARIETIES Variety Early Early Early Early Early Early marketable marketable nonmarketable nonmarketable US No. 1 US No. 2 yield number weight number weight weight lb/A no/A lb/A no/A lb/A lb/A

Early US No. 1 number no/A

Early US No. 2 number no/A

Brewton Agiculture Research Unit Gentry Conqueror III XPT 1832 III Destiny III Sunray Lioness Early Prolific Liberator III Gold Star R
2

8,111 7,296 7,234 6,267 5,713 5,569 5,484 5,305 4,323 0.85 10 876 E.V. Smith Research Center 9,632 7,292 6,539 5,192 4,835 4,704 4,414 4,254 3,763 0.52 51 4,108 34,931 40,194 62,444 35,888 40,194 37,084 39,716 33,256 29,189 0.53 32 17,467 9,479 1,172 2,991 2,419 3,744 2,227 2,282 8,127 2,660 5,264 10,049 26,796 12,920 21,772 11,963 18,183 26,796 11,006

5,919 5,514 5,914 4,603 4,246 3,575 3,789 4,371 3,330 0.80 12 793

2,191 1,782 1,320 1,664 1,467 1,994 1,695 934 993 0.70 28 685

26,970 19,249 22,946 19,249 17,400 12,071 14,573 15,551 15,008 0.90 12 3,039

5,546 3,589 2,719 3,698 3,371 4,024 4,133 1,958 2,393 0.55 32 1,642

CV LSD Lioness XPT 1832 III Gentry Liberator III Gold Star Conqueror III Destiny III Early Prolific Sunray R
2

CV LSD

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TABLE 4. TOTAL YIELD AND QUALITY OF SELECTED YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH VARIETIES Total Total Total Total Total Total marketable marketable nonmarketable nonmarketable US No. 1 US No. 2 Variety yield number weight number weight weight lb/A no/A lb/A no/A lb/A lb/A

Total US No. 1 number no/A

Total US No. 2 number no/A

Brewton Agiculture Research Unit XPT 1832 III Gentry Conqueror III Early Prolific Destiny III Liberator III Lioness Sunray Gold Star R
2

13,817 13,730 12,117 10,940 10,548 9,865 9,249 8,973 7,288 0.90 8 1,287 E.V. Smith Research Center 15,958 15,905 13,829 13,422 12,288 11,771 11,766 11,058 9,087 0.64 20 6,039 113,883 143,072 113,883 111,969 98,093 85,652 86,609 91,394 70,818 0.80 17 39,118 6,618 10,115 11,584 7,048 16,614 9,034 15,188 8,910 13,209 0.70 46 10,903 42,587 94,743 47,850 56,942 58,856 45,936 29,189 57,420 38,759 0.90 20 23,628

11,433 10,599 8,908 7,720 8,200 7,938 6,453 7,145 5,941 0.91 8 910

2,384 3,131 3,209 3,220 2,348 1,927 2,796 1,828 1,347 0.66 28 1,076

45,675 48,611 31,755 30,124 35,996 28,601 23,925 30,341 26,426 0.90 11 5,163

4,894 7,830 6,199 7,613 5,220 4,024 5,546 4,024 3,263 0.60 30 2,372

CV LSD Conqueror III Gentry XPT 1832 III Destiny III Early Prolific Liberator III Lioness Gold Star Sunray R2 CV LSD

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GRAPE Replicated Seedless Table Grape Cultivar Trial
Carl Cantaluppi A study was initiated in 2005 to look at the possibility of growing seedless, fresh market table grapes (Vitis labrusca) in the northern Piedmont of North Carolina. Research done on these grapes is scant, and no one has grown these grapes on a commercial scale in the North Carolina Piedmont. A replicated cultivar trial of 14 different table grapes (Table 1) were grown on Angel’s Nest farm (Doreathy Booth, owner) north of Oxford, North Carolina. The grapes were varieties from the breeding programs at Cornell University and the University of Arkansa. The planting consisted of 360 vines on 1 acre. A randomized complete block design with five plants per plot and five replications was used. Vines were spaced 10 feet between vines in the row and 10 feet between rows and were planted on May 18, 2005 in a clay loam soil. An Innovative Program Grant, sponsored by NC A&T State University paid for the labor and the cost of the trellis wire and electric fence around the one-acre perimeter to control the deer. Out-of-pocket expenses included the grapevines, trellis posts, bamboo stakes, irrigation system, grow-tubes, mulch, fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides, which amounted to about $10,000 (Table 2). During 2005 and 2006, the vines were trained and pruned to prepare for a first harvest in 2007. Despite a freeze on Easter weekend in 2007, which killed the primary buds, the secondary buds emerged and produced a crop of 909 pounds on the entire acre. Trial Cultivar Descriptions1,2 Grape breeders have responded to consumer preferences for seedless grapes with the development of numerous improved varieties. The seedless trait in grapes was originally derived from cultivars of ancient origin such as ‘Thompson Seedless’ and ‘Black Monukka’. Most seedless grapes suitable for the eastern United States are descended from crosses with these two cultivars. Because the trait originated in cultivars not suitable for surviving the cold temperatures of New York winters,
1 2

many seedless varieties are not sufficiently winter hardy in New York, although they are much hardier than their seedless parents. More recently named seedless cultivars such as ‘Canadice’, ‘Einset Seedless’, ‘Reliance’, and ‘Vanessa’ represent a distinct improvement in cold hardiness. Breeding programs in New York, Ontario, Arkansas, and elsewhere continue to produce seedless selections with improved hardiness and quality. A wide range of flavors and appearances are available among the seedless table grapes Vitis labrusca, which is the parent species of many of the flavorful eastern grapes. Fruit of V. labrusca have a pronounced fruity, some say “foxy” flavor. Since North Carolina has warmer winters than the Northeastern United States, these cultivars should perform excellently in our climate. Berry color is usually classified as white, red, blue, or black. White grapes range in color from light green to amber or light orange. Red varieties may vary from pink to deep red and their coloration may vary with degree of ripeness and exposure of fruit to sunlight. The blue range includes types that have a reddish-blue color. Black grapes are typified by a dark purplish-black color. The degree of seedlessness varies greatly among seedless grape varieties. Most seedless grapes have vestigial seed traces that range in size from very small to large and noticeable. Seed traces in berries of the same variety may vary greatly in size and in the hardness of seed coats. Climate is also known to affect seed trace size. Occasionally the seed traces in some seedless grapes are large enough to be bothersome to consumers. White Grapes Marquis, a cross of ‘Athens’ x ‘Emerald Seedless’, released in 1996, is a white seedless grape with excellent mild American flavor. The berries are large, often 3.5 to 5.0 grams per berry, with a juicy, melting texture. Clusters are large and attractive, while the vines are very productive. Ripe fruit holds well on the vine, with the flavors going from a mild fruity flavor when first ripe, to a stronger labrusca flavor 2

Comments adapted from Dr. Bruce Reisch, Grape Breeder, Cornell University. Most are New York varieties, except for Arkansas and Canada varieties, as noted.
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SPRING 2008 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS

weeks later. Vines are very vigorous and productive. Ripens in Oxford, North Carolina, from August 2 to August 10. Himrod, produced from a cross between ‘Ontario’ and ‘Thompson Seedless’, is the most successful table grape released from the Cornell University grape breeding program (1952). It produces large bunches of white seedless grapes with excellent, honey-like flavor and melting, juicy texture. The clusters are loosely filled. Cluster weight is 0.36 pound; berry weight is 2.1g. Ripens in Oxford July 20 – 27. Lakemont was also produced from the same cross as ‘Himrod’ but has a milder flavor and more compact clusters of small to medium-sized berries. Cluster thinning prevents overcropping. Cluster weight is 0.48 pounds; berry weight is 1.7g. Ripens in Oxford from July 26 to August 3. Interlaken is a sister seedling of ‘Himrod’ (same parents) with seedless green to golden berries. The clusters are medium sized and compact with small, white berries that ripen very early. Cluster weight is 0.27 pound; berry weight is 1.5g. Grapes were not harvest in 2007 due to the vines not being planted until 2006. Red Grapes Einset Seedless resulted from the cross of ‘Fredonia’ x ‘Canner’ (‘Hunisa’ x ‘Sultanina’) made in 1963 by G.W. Remaily. The berries are oval and bright red with a light waxy bloom (powdery covering on the fruit). The medium soft seed remnant is not usually noticeable. Berries are medium size. Cluster weight is 0.32 pound; berry weight is 2.3g. The skin is slightly tough and adheres to the tender flesh. The flavor is fruity with a mild note of labrusca and sweet strawberry-like taste. Ripens in Oxford from July 20 to 26. Vanessa was developed by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Canada, and is a red dessert grape of excellent quality. The seed remnant is usually large and soft when noticeable. Berries are medium in size on medium, well-filled clusters. The flavor is mild and fruity, and berry texture is firm to crisp. The fruit quality is among the best of the red seedless types. Ripens in Oxford from July 20 to 27. Canadice produces medium, excessively compact clusters with small red berries. Cluster weight is 0.50 pound; berry weight is 1.6g. Ripens in Oxford on July 26.

Reliance comes from the University of Arkansas, and produces large clusters of round, red, medium-sized berries. The skin is tender, and the flesh is melting in texture, with a sweet labrusca flavor. Cold hardiness is among the highest of the seedless varieties. Cluster weight is 0.62 pound; berry weight is 2.3g. Grapes were not harvested in 2007 due to vines not being planted until 2006. Suffolk Red produces medium to large clusters of mildflavored red berries. The clusters are loose. Cluster weight is 0.32 pound; berry weight is 2.7g. Ripens in Oxford on August 10. Blue Grapes Mars is a release from the University of Arkansas, and is a vigorous, blue seedless grape. The flavor is mildly labrusca and the berries are slipskin (having a tough skin which separates readily from the pulpy flesh). Clusters are mediumsized, cylindrical, and well filled. Cluster weight is 0.40 pound; berry weight is 3g. A very high-yielding cultivar, it has a long ripening season from July 27 to August 10 in Oxford. Venus, also from the University of Arkansas, is a vigorous and productive blue-black grape. The medium-large clusters produce large berries with mild labrusca flavors. Cluster weight is 0.60 pound; berry weight is 2.9g. Seed traces may be noticeable. Ripens from July 20 to August 3 in Oxford. Glenora produces medium-sized blue berries. An excellent flavorful seedless variety. Ripens in Oxford from July 20 to July 27. Jupiter was released from the University of Arkansas in 1998. It is an early maturing reddish-blue to blue variety when mature. It has large, firm, non-slipskin berries on medium-sized clusters. Fruit has a distinct ‘Muscat’ flavor. Cluster weight is 0.5 pound; berry weight is 5g. Ripens from July 20 to July 27 in Oxford. Concord Seedless is similar in flavor and texture to ‘Concord’. The clusters and berries are much smaller than those of ‘Concord’. Productivity is erratic due to its uneven ripening under hot temperatures. Ripens on August 10 in Oxford.

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ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

TABLE 1. 2007 SEEDLESS TABLE GRAPE CULTIVAR TRIAL, ANGEL’S NEST FARM, OXFORD, NC Cultivar Mars Marquis Venus Jupiter Lakemont Einset Glenora Canadice Vanessa Concord Seedless Suffolk Red Himrod Reliance Interlaken
1

TABLE 2. VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT COSTS Feature Installation of deer fence, grape trellis, and labor Bamboo stakes Fiberglass stakes Drip irrigation pump, pipe hookups, faucets Grape vines Snap and grow tubes Tapener guns to attach vines to trellis Fungicides Round-Up for 3 years Vegetable wash Protective gear for spraying Grape lugs for harvesting Fertilizer Private pesticide applicator license Marking spray for vine placement Grass seed for row middles Diesel fuel Gasoline for lawn mower Reflective tape to exclude birds Labor (800 hours, 3 people) Other irrigation installation help Total Cost $15,000.00 121.00 462.00 2,340.00 2,460.00 1,462.00 133.00 540.00 387.00 49.00 214.00 308.00 234.00 6.00 11.00 358.00 200.00 210.00 108.00 – 1,000.00 $25,603.00

Yield1 lb/A 329 a 4295 a 1972 b 1686 bc 776 bc 668 bc 564 bc 447 bc 402 bc 341 bc 200 c 145 c – –

Sugar % 17 18 18 19 20 19 17 18 21 19 22 17 – –

Harvest dates 7/27, 8/2, 8/10 8/2, 8/10 7/20, 7/27, 8/3 7/20, 7/26 7/26, 8/3 7/20, 7/26 7/20, 7/27 7/26 7/20/7/27 8/10 8/10 7/20, 7/27 – –

Yields with the same letter within columns are not statistically significant, Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, 0.05 level. The actual yield from each row is extrapolated to come up with yield per acre. The actual yield of all the grape varieties added together amounted to 909 pounds on the entire acre this year. Vines were purchased from Double A Vineyards, 10277 Christy Road, Fredonia, NY 14063 North Carolina State University does not endorse Double A Vineyards. It is just listed as a source and undoubtedly, there are other suitable sources of grape vines.

SPRING 2008 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS

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Seed Sources for Alabama Trials
Seeds were donated by the following companies: Nunhems/Sunseeds Richard Wojciak 12214 Lacewood Lane Wellington, Florida 33414-4983 Phone : (561) 791 9061 Fax: (561) 798 4915 Mobile: (561) 371 2023 richard.wojciak@sunseeds.com Other sources included the following companies: Abbot and Cobb, Inc. Tech Rep: Russ Beckham 146 Old US Highway 84 West Boston, GA 31626 Phone: (229) 498-2366 E-mail: rbeckham@rose.net BHN 1310 McGee Avenue Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone: (510) 526-4704 E-mail: mail@berkeleyhort.com Harris Moran P.O. Box 4938 Modesto, CA 95352 Phone: (209) 579-7333 (209) 527-8684 Harris Seeds To order: (800) 544-7938 P.O. Box 22960 60 Saginow Dr. Rochester, NY 14692-2960 Hollar To order: (719) 254-7411 P.O. Box 106 Rocky Ford, CO 81067-0106 Phone: (719) 254-7411 Fax: (719) 254-3539 Website: www.hollarseeds.com Johnny’s Select Seeds To order: (207) 437-4395 Tech. Rep: Steve Woodward 955 Benton Ave Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: (207) 861-3900 E-mail: info@johnnyseeds.com Rupp Seeds To order: (800) 700-1199 17919 County Raoad B Waseon, OH 43567 Sandoz Rogers/Novartis To order: (912) 560-1863 Seedway To order: (800) 952-7333 Tech Rep: James J. Pullins 1225 Zeager Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Ph: (717) 367-1075 Fax: (717) 367-0387 E-mail: info@seedway.com Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc Tech Rep: Rusty Autry 2221 North Park Ave. Tifton GA 31796 Phone: (229) 386-0750 Siegers Seed Company 13031 Reflections Drive Holland, MI 49424 Phone: (800) 962-4999 Fax: (616) 994-0333 Tifton Seed Distribution Center Tech Rep: Van Lindsey Phone: (912) 382-1815 Willhite To order: (800) 828-1840 Tech Rep: Don Dobbs P.O. Box 23 Poolville, TX 76487 Fax: (817) 599-5843
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Palmer Seed Co. P.O. Box 1866 Palmer City, FL 34991 Phone: (772) 221-0653

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

Guidelines for Contributions to the Vegetable Variety Regional Bulletin Vegetable variety evaluation and selection is an essential part of production horticulture. The vegetable variety regional bulletin is intended to report results of variety trials conducted by research institutions in the Southeast in a timely manner. Its intended audience includes growers, research/extension personnel, and members of the seed industry. Timeliness and rapid turnaround are essential to better serve our audience. Hence, two bulletins are printed each year: one in November with results from spring crops, and another one in April or May with results from summer and fall crops. It is essential that trial results are available before variety decisions for the next growing season are made. Here are a few useful guidelines to speed up the publications process for the next regional bulletin (fall 2008). When: June 25, 2009 Deadline for fall 2008 variety trial report submissions. What: Results pertaining to variety evaluation in a broad sense. This includes field performance, quality evaluation, and disease resistance. Here are a few tips: • Follow the format used in the other regional bulletins. • Include each author’s complete mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. • Follow your own unit’s internal review process. Contributions will be edited, but not formally reviewed. How: Send a disk and hard copy to Edgar Vinson or Joe Kemble Department of Horticulture 101 Funchess Hall Auburn University, AL 36849-5408 Or send e-mail to vinsoed@auburn.edu kembljm@auburn.edu