Powdery Mildew Resistant Pumpkin Cultivar Evaluation

Materials and Methods Planting. Cultivars were planted in 72 cell trays in a greenhouse on May 31, 2007 and transplanted to the field on June 15. Plot Design. A randomized complete block with two replications was used. A plot consisted of a single row of eight plants spaced 32 in. apart with rows spaced 10 ft apart. Fertility and Irrigation. Fertilizer (75 lb nitrogen and 120 lb K20) was applied preplant incorporated on June 3. Additional nitrogen (40 lb) was sidedressed on August 4. Plot area was irrigated with a center pivot as needed. Pesticides. Strategy, Sandea, and Poast herbicides; Fanfair insecticide; and Bravo, Quadris, and Kocide fungicide. Results and Discussion The growing season was favorable for pumpkin growth and the trial produced good yields and quality. To prevent fruit rots and disease problems, plots were sprayed with fungicides. Even so, powdery mildew developed in the planting by mid August. It was mainly seen on foliage and caused some defoliation but not vine death. Notes were taken on disease severity but only minor differences between cultivars were observed (data not presented). Generally, resistant cultivars had less powdery mildew, but because of fungicide spraying and the low level of infection these observations did not correlate with yield.