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University of Florida T. f 1993
S '- 0 Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
Central Florida Research & Education Center l eorsity Of x da
Sanford, FL 32771-9608
Research Report SAN 94-02 September 1993
Zucchini Squash Variety Trial
I. D. Hancik and J. M. White
This report summarizes the evaluations of 15 cultivars/breeding lines of zucchini
squash. Entries were evaluated for adaptability to Florida's spring production conditions.
The field was prepared (fertilized and pesticide applied) on March 9, 1993, as per guidelines
suggested in the Extension Service Control Guide; raised beds were formed and covered
with black plastic mulch. Squash seeds were planted by hand in hills (2-3 seeds/hill) 24"
apart in 25' long plots. A randomized complete block design was used with four replications
per entry. Plots were thinned to one plant per hill on April 16, 1993.
Harvesting began on May 3, 1993, and concluded with the tenth harvest on May 24.
Yield data and other characteristics rated in this trial are found in Table 1; weather data
are recorded in Table 2.
Summary
Total marketable yield, expressed as 42-lb bushels per acre, ranged from 544-1003.
Early (first three harvests) marketable yield ranged from 204-489 bushels/A. Although
there were no statistically significant differences in total marketable yield, differences were
significant in early marketable yield. Spineless Beauty, Elite, and Sunre 9718 all produced
good early as well as total yields.
Plant stand was generally acceptable (>90%) in this study. Some difficulty was
experienced in establishing stands of ZS1 and ZS4; percent stand was 62 and 52%,
respectively.
Adverse weather conditions (high winds and blowing sand) early in the growing
season may have slowed plant growth, but all entries were able to outgrow the wind/sand
injury.
This report is not intended to recommend one variety over another, but rather is
meant as a general guideline for variety selection. Different field locations, planting dates,
and cultural practices may alter the performance of these squash lines; growers should be
mindful of this variability when selecting a new variety, and small test areas of new varieties
may be advisable.
Seed Sources
AC Abbott & Cobb, Inc., P. O. Box 307, Feasterville, PA 19053-0307
FM Ferry-Morse Seed Co., Box 392, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
HM Harris Moran Seed Co., P. O. Box 3091, Modesto, CA 95353
RO Robson Seed Farms Corp., 1 Seneca Circle, Hall, NY 14463-0270
RNK Rogers NK Seed Co., P. O. Box 4188, Boise, ID 83711-4188
SU Sunseeds, 8850 59thAve., N.E., Brooks, OR 973004-0008
Zucchini squash variety trial, Spring 1993
Yield (bu/acre) No. (100/acre)
Total Early Total Early Total Early Total Early
Entry Supplier mkt.z mkt.Y cull cull mkt. mkt. cull cull % Stand Colorx Shapew Notes
Spineless
Beauty RNK 1003 a 489 ab 103 a-c 33 b-d 88 a 44 ab 23 ab 17 a-e 100 a 2.8 2.6 poor shape, curved, pear
Elite HM 954 a 521 a 120 ab 64 ab 99 a 48 a 31 a 22 a 98 a 3.1 3.3 sl.curve, long, var. color
Sunre 9718 SU 888 a 483 ab 71 a-d 24 b-d 89 a 47 ab 18 a-c 12 a-g 96 a 3.5 2.5 pear, ridged
Eminent SU 871 a 404 a-c 38 cd 6 d 87 a 38 a-d 11 b-d 6 c-g 96 a 4.0 3.3 pear
Sunex 9715 SU 867 a 438 a-c 119 ab 79 a 83 a 38 a-d 27 a 20 ab 94 a 3.0 2.7 doubles, curved
SR 1831 SU 794 a 418 a-c 39 cd 13 cd 88 a 43 a-c 11 b-d 7 b-g 96 a 1.6 3.3 poor color
Napolini HM 738 a 230 c 24 d 1 d 78 a 24 cd 4 d 0.3 g 94 a 4.5 4.1 dk. green, straight
RXPG 826 RO 734 a 367 a-c 124 a 53 a-c 68 a 34 a-d 23 ab 15 a-f 100 a 3.4 3.8 uniform maturity
FMX 615 FM 724 a 427 a-c 54 a-d 31 b-d 79 a 41 a-d 18 a-c 15 a-f 75 b 4.1 2.8 sl. pear shape
Emperor FM 718 a 426 a-c 95 a-d 19 cd 73 a 43 a-c 20 a-c 9 a-g 93 a 2.8 2.0 curve, It. green
ZS4 RNK 714 a 269 bc 97 a-d 10 cd 63 a 29 a-d 11 b-d 4 d-g 52 c 3.4 2.3 long, ridged
Jade FM 660 a 415 a-c 73 a-d 30 b-d 71 a 43 a-c 28 a 17 a-c 100 a 3.5 2.8 curve, sl. yellow
Noblesse HM 629 a 338 a-c 47 b-d 28 b-d 74 a 39 a-d 22 a-c 17 a-d 92 a 4.3 3.6 pear shape
ZS1 ..RNK 608 a 258 bc 53 a-d 16 cd 53 a 22 d 9 cd 3 fg 62 bc 4.0 3.0 ridged
Seasons AC 544 a 204 c 52 a-d 14 cd 68 a 28 b-d 12 b-d 4 e-g 92 a 3.9 3.5 ridged
ZMean separation in columns by Duncan's Multiple Range
YFirst three harvests May 3, 5, and 7, 1993.
XRatedfrom 1, light gray-green; to 5, dark green.
WRated from 1, poor to 5, good.
a
Test, 5% level.
he
B
a
Tabtle 1.
Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at CFREC-Sanford during the 1993 spring
season (March 19 May 24).
Daily temp. F) Rainfall
Date maximum minimum (inches)
March 19-31 85 54 0.85
April 1-30 87 40 1.72
May 1-24 92 59 0.43
Total 3.01
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