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c I14 2)j University of Florida
0- lInstitute of Food & Agricultural Sciences j'~'"-[: of cr,
Central Florida Research & Education Center
Sanford, Florida 32771-9608
Research Report SAN 94-02 August 1993

YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH VARIETY TRIAL

I. D. Hancik & J. M. White

This report summarizes the evaluations of 18 cultivars/breeding lines of
yellow summer 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 continued through May 24, 1993, for
a total of 10 harvests.

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
146-491. Early (first three harvests) marketable yield ranged from 45-220
bushels/A. Enterprise, RXPG 838,and Superpik were top-yielding entries in
both the early harvest and the total-season harvest. RXPG 838 and Medallion
finished in the top five in both early and total cull weight. Over 70% of the
total cull weight for RXPG 838 was attributable to early weight, whereas, less
than 30% of the total cull weight for Medallion was from early cull weight.

Adverse weather conditions (high winds and blowing sand) early in the
growing season damaged many plants in this trial; RXPG 838 was especially
tolerant of these conditions and did not sustain as much damage (as evidenced
by high early marketable yield). All entries eventually outgrew 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

- Abbott & Cobb, Inc., P. 0. Box 307, Feasterville, PA 19053-0307
- Harris Moran Seed Co., P; 0. Box 3091, Modesto, CA 95353
- Robson Seed Farms Corp., 1 Seneca Circle, Hall, NY 14463-0270
- Rogers NK Seed Co., P. 0. Box 4188, Boise, ID 83711-4188
- Sunseeds, 8850 59th Avenue, N.E., Brooks, OR 97305-0008

Table 1. "Yellow Summer Squash Variety Trial Sanford, FL -

Yield (bu/A) No. (100/A)
Total Earlyy Total Early Total Early Total Early % Curva- Smooth-
Entry Supplier mkt.z mkt. cull cull mkt. mkt. cull cull stand turex ness" Notes

Enterprise
RXPG 838
Sunex 9651
Superpik
SR 1791

SSI
Multipik
Medallion
CS2
Supersett

Seneca Supreme
Sunex 9602
Smoothie
SR 1807
SS3

Precious
CS4
Sunbrite

RNK
RO
SU
HM
SU

RNK
HM
AC
RNK
HM

RO
SU
AC
SU
RNK

AC
RNK
RNK

491
485
431
425
404

399
392
386
345
310

302
292
283
283
271

270
257
146

ab
ab
ab
a-c
a-c

a-c
a-c
a-c
a-c
a-c

a-c
bc
c

173 a-c
220 a
116 b-f
170 a-d
160 a-e

188 ab
135 a-f
137 a-f
177 a-c
103 b-f

90 b-f
68 ef
70 d-f
97 b-f
93 b-f

112 b-f
83 c-f
45 f

a
a-c
c
bc
bc

a-c
bc
ab
bc
bc

bc
a-c
a-c

844 b-d
1453 a
743 b-d
1082 ab
1088 ab

912 bc
948 bc
963 bc
1002 bc
912 bc

802 b-d
828 b-d
594 td,
790 b-d
655 b-d

784 b-d
630 b-d
425 d

362 b-f
626 a
215 d-f
401 b-d
418 a-d

453 a-c
337 c-f
383 b-e
563 ab
301 c-f

261 c-f
229 c-f
36 f
1302 c-f
242 c-f

306 c-f
234 c-f
170 ef

90 ab
123 a
16 c
29 c
57 bc

70 a-c
61 bc
62 bc
29 c
41 bc

70 a-c
35 bc
19 c
45 bc
45 bc

62 bc
48 bc
76 a-c

33 b
80 a
6 b
8 b
41 ab

29 b
32 b
29 b
20 b
16 b

10 b
7 b
3b
6 b
16 b

28 b
8b
16 b

98 a
100 a
94 ab
87 a-c
87 a-c

85 a-c
77 a-d
90 a-c
89 a-c
87 a-c

90 a-c
62 c-e
66 b-d
89 a-c
62 c-e

71 a-d
35 e
50 de

1.8
3.0
1.8
1.9
2.0

1.8
1.9
3.5
2.5
3.4

1.6
3.3
2.0
1.8
1.5

1.6
3.9
2.6

4.4
1.5
3.8
2.5
4.3

4.3
3.5
2.3
4.3
2.3

4.5
2.8
4.5
4.3
4.4

4.3
4.0
3.6

greenish
some doubles
greenish
good color

green blossom end
---
skinny neck, greenish
green blossom end

greenish/yellow

nice color
narrow, curved neck
narrow neck

ZMean separation in columns by Duncan's Multiple Range Test,

YFirst three harvests May 3, 5, 7, 1993.

XRated from 1, straight to 5, very curved.

WRated from 1, rough to 5, very smooth.

5% level.

a

1993.

Table 2. Temperature and rainfall
the 1993 spring season (March 19 -

Daily temp. (F)

at CFREC-Sanford during
May 24).

Date max. min. Rainfall (in.)

March 19-31 85 54 0.86

April 1-30 87 40 1.72

May 1-24 92 59 0.43
Total 3.01

HISTORIC NOTE

The publications in this collection do
not reflect current scientific knowledge
or recommendations. These texts
represent the historic publishing
record of the Institute for Food and
Agricultural Sciences and should be
used only to trace the historic work of
the Institute and its staff. Current IFAS
research may be found on the
Electronic Data Information Source
(EDIS)

site maintained by the Florida
Cooperative Extension Service.

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of Florida