(f 5 University of Florida
1- 3 Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
Central Florida Research & Education Center
Sanford, FL 32771-9608
Research Report SAN 97-03 Marston Senugust 1996
Library
Zucchini Squash Variety Trial
,UG 13 199
J. M. White
VJniver itv of squash
This report summarizes the evaluation of 19 cultivars/breeding is squash
during the spring season for central Florida. Field preparation, fertilizer and pesticide
applications, and planting were completed on March 26, 1996. Planting was delayed about 10
days due to high moisture in the field. After planting, over five inches of rain occurred within
six days, flooding the field. The trial was replanted April 15, 1996. Two to three seeds were
hand planted 24" apart on two to three-inch raised beds, 5-ft on center. Plots were 20 feet long
and a CRB design with four replications was used. The soil type was a Myakka fine sand.
Fertilizer and pesticide applications were in accordance to the Extension Service Control Guide.
Overhead irrigation, when needed, utilized City of Sanford reclaimed water which is not
permitted for use on fresh market vegetables. Reclaimed water may be used only on vegetables
that are thermally processed.

Harvesting began on May 17 (32 days after seeding) and ended on June 10, 1996, with
a total of 11 harvests. Yield data and other recorded information 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 628 to 1138.
Early (first 4 harvests May 17, 20, 22, and 24) marketable yield ranged from 51 to 393 bu/acre.
Total culls ranged from 9 to 476 bu/acre.

The top five for marketable yield were HMX 5700, SSC 5656, Hurricane, HMX 4717,
and Elite. The best overall for shape and color (green to dark green) were SSC 5656, Hurricane,
and Elite. There was a wide range in length, width, and color in the lines tested. Some lines
seemed to improve in shape during the mid-season harvest.

Seeds were obtained from the following cooperators:

* Asgrow Seed Co., 7000 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49001
* Agrisales, Inc., P. O. Box 2060, Plant City, FL 33564
* Associated Seed & Plant, Inc., P. O. Box 816, Plant City, FL 33564-0816
* Ferry-Morse Seed Co., Box 4938, Modesto, CA 95352-4938
* Harris Moran Seed Co., 4511 Willow Rd., Suite 3, Pleasanton, CA 94588
* Shamrock Seed Co., Inc., P. O. Box 4443, Salinas, CA 93912
* Sunseeds, P. O. Box 1438 Hollister, CA 95023

Zucchini squash variety trial Spring 1996, Sanford, FL.

T
Stir

Yield (bu/A)
ot. Earlyy
rtt ml-t

Total
r'.11lsq

Avg. wt/fruit (lb)
Total Earlv Cull

HMX 5700
SSC 5656
Hurricane
HMX 4717
Elite

Harris Moran
Shamrock
Sunseeds
Harris Moran
Harris Moran

1138 az
1041 ab
1013 a-c
1008 a-c
978 a-d

292
172
227
234
160

ab
b-e
b-d
bc
b-e

66
176
143
51
128

1.07
1.15
1.12
1.02
0.97

0.79
0.74
0.78
0.81
0.59

1.30
0.99
0.79
0.85
0.95

short, fat, light green
fair shape-pointy, dark green
dark green
very pale green, short, fat, some white
speckled

Moctezuma Harris Moran 973 a-e 197 b-e 23 c 1.11 ab 0.86 b 0.89 b grey, short, barrel shaped
Senator Asgrow 948 a-e 180 b-e 202 bc 0.92 be 0.65 b 1.02 b shape o.k., some bulbs and points
Tigress Harris Moran 911 a-f 138 b-e 139 bc 1.04 ab 0.72 b 0.80 b pointy shape, good color
Sunex 9723 Sunseeds 896 a-f 104 c-e 165 bc 1.06 ab 0.69 b 0.93 b straight, glistens, dark green, pointy
Sunre 9732 Sunseeds 842 b-g 82 c-e 106 bc 1.12 ab 0.68 b 0.86 b dark green, shiny

Sensation Asgrow 840 b-g 134 b-e 188
HMX 5729 Harris Moran 812 b-g 99 c-e 9
XPH 1712 Asgrow 811 b-g 158 b-e 179
HMX 4712 Harris Moran 762 c-g 208 b-e 193
HMX 5728 Harris Moran 741 d-g 62 de 168

0.98
1.02
1.01
0.53
1.12

0.70
0.63
0.83
0.44
0.64

1.07
0.61
1.03
0.41
0.83

bulb end, medium green
grey, short, fat
pointy shape
straight to pointy, good yellow color
pointy shape, color o.k.

------------------------------------------
Jaguar Harris Moran 718
Agrisett 843 A.S.A.P. 713
Grey/SML Harris Moran 677
SSC-5657 Shamrock 628

d-g
e-g
fg
g

90 c-e
55 e
51 e
393 a

157 be
269 b
43 c
476 a

1.09
1.27
0.91
0.74

0.84
0.60
0.57
1.95

1.04
1.16
1.23
2.47

pointy shape, short, fat, pale
dark green, shiny
short, fat, pale
poor shape, medium green

zMean separation in columns by Duncan's Multiple Range
YFirst four harvests May 17, 20, 22, and 24.

test, 5% level.

Notes

Entry upp erl .--".- .TtlErvC 1

-- - - - - - -- - - - - -----------------"" "'" "~ ~

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

T~"t ^_--_ -

Q

Table 1.

Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at CFREC-Sanford during the 1996 spring
growing season (March 26 June 10).

Daily temperature (oC) Rainfall
Date Maximum Minimum (inches)

March 26 30 81 62 4.23*

April 1 30 90 64 1.86*

May 1 31 93 72 4.22

June 1 10 91 73 1.21
Total 11.52

*5.27 inches of the 6.09 were recorded between March 28 and April 2.

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