CucCAP researchers and stakeholders met on October 27, 28 & 29, 2022 to present and discuss the grant’s accomplishments, ongoing research, plans and expectations.
Integrated Disease Management Team
- Lina Quesada-Ocampo (NC State University)
- Mary Hausbeck (Michigan State University)
- Chris Smart (Cornell University)
- Anthony Keinath (Clemson University)
- Shaker Kousik (USDA-ARS)
- Jonathan Schultheis (NC State University)
- Daniel Tregeagle (NC State University)
- Mary Lorscheider (extension communicator) (NC State University)
CucCAP Affiliated Postdocs and Graduate Students
- Elizabeth Indermaur – graduate student, Cornell University(Smart)
- Mariana Prieto – graduate student, North Carolina State University (Quesada)
- Andres Salcedo – graduate student, North Carolina State University (Quesada)
- Grace Kenney – graduate student, Michigan State University (Hausbeck)
- Alice Kilduff, graduate student, North Carolina State University (Tregeagle)
- Matthew Uebbing – graduate student, Michigan State University (Hausbeck)
- David Perla – graduate student, Michigan State University(Hausbeck)
Objective 4: Perform multi-location, multi-isolate trials to improve integrated disease management, assess economic impacts, and provide state-of-the art disease control recommendations
4.1. Disease management information and recommendations (Year 1-4).
CucCAP website: Cucurbit disease factsheets, crop production manuals, and integrated pest management resources for the Northeast, Southeast and the Midwest are maintained and updated on the website. Notices of regional commodity meetings and Extension education sessions are posted on the CucCAP website events calendar. News from CucCAP researchers is reported on the website and in the CucCAP Chronicle, the monthly newsletter. The CucCAP website shares weekly reports from The Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecast and Melcast throughout the growing season. Since the beginning of the project, the website includes 37 CucCAP Team News posts, 12 CucCAP Featured Article posts, 77 Integrated Crop and Disease Management posts (cucurbit crop production news and disease outbreak news), and 27 Upcoming Event posts.
Since the start of the project, Quesada has provided diagnostics and disease management recommendations for 11 cucumber, 37 watermelon, 6 melon, 15 squash, and 7 pumpkin samples submitted to the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Quesada has also been involved in providing disease management recommendations through oral presentations, social media (Twitter: 4,021 (lab) + 2,278 (Quesada) followers, LinkedIn: 2,408 followers), and generating disease management resources such as the NC Agricultural and Chemicals Manual and the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook.
Schultheis has provided cultivar recommendations through oral presentation and specifically generating cultivar results for a zucchini cultivar evaluation study. In addition, cultivar and fertilizer recommendations have been provided for cucurbits overall publications such as the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook
Keinath has provided management recommendations through oral presentations and generating disease management resources such as the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook.
Smart provided disease alerts through email, Cornell Cooperative Extension weekly publications, and social media. She responded to about 50 text message questions to provide recommendations for cucurbit disease control (mostly Phytophthora but some bacterial issues as well), received 25 samples for diagnosis, and provided disease control recommendations to extension educators throughout the season. She also had two in person field days focused on cucurbits, along with virtual talks at the NY and Minnesota winter expos.
Hausbeck maintains a dedicated downy mildew page (945 page visits May 2021-Sept 2021, accounting for 27% of website traffic; with peak usage in July 18-July 24) on her website that includes weekly spore trapping (228 downloads between May 2021-Sept 2021) and disease updates (207 downloads between May 2021-Sept 2021), fact sheets, information on identifying (41 downloads between May 2021-Sept 2021), monitoring (21 downloads between May 2021-Sept 2021), managing (103 downloads between May 2021-Sept 2021), and testing for downy mildew, reference articles, and links to information about other cucurbit diseases. The website also contains fact sheets for Phytophthora on cucurbits and links to plant disease management reports, extension bulletins, extension news articles, and other relevant publications.
4.2. Multi-location, multi-isolate trials and pathogen population analyses.
4.2.1 Evaluation of cucurbit cultivars and breeding lines for disease resistance (Year 1-2).
Watermelon powdery mildew (Lead: Kousik, Secondary site: Quesada):
Figure 1. Evaluation of watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew in Charleston, SC, 2021
View Figure 1. on page 49 of the PDF version of this report.
This experiment was conducted at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory farm in Charleston, SC. The soil was Yonges loamy fine sand. This study was undertaken to determine the performance of new commercial watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew (PM) as it is becoming more prevalent in the U.S.A. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications for each variety. Watermelon varieties were seeded in 50-cell jiffy trays on 5 Apr. Seedlings were transplanted on 10 May onto raised beds with 40-in centers. Beds were spaced 4.6 m apart and covered with white plastic mulch. Plants were irrigated weekly using subsurface drip irrigation using a drip tape placed 2.54 cm below the top of the plastic mulched beds. General watermelon production practices recommended for the southeastern U.S. were followed. Each variety plot was a single row of 5 plants spaced 46 cm apart with 2.7 m spacing between plots. Vines of the watermelon plants were regularly turned every week so as to keep the plants from growing into the neighboring plots. Plants of germplasm line USVL677-PMS and cultivar Mickey Lee were used as susceptible controls. A USDA, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory developed germplasm line, USVL608-PMR resistant to PM was used as the resistant control. After bedding but before transplanting, the row middles were sprayed with Roundup Pro (1.17 liter/ha), Dual Magnum (1.17 liter/ha) and Sandea (70.05 g/ha) for weed management. Weeds in the beds were controlled during the season by hand weeding. PM occurs naturally at this location every year and hence plots were not inoculated. Plant foliage for each variety plot was rated for powdery mildew on 22, 29 June, 6, 13 and 20 July using a 0-10 rating scale similar to the Horsfall and Barrett rating scale of increasing disease severity (0=no visible symptoms of disease observed, 1=trace <1-3% on foliage, 2=3-6%, 3=6-12%, 5=25-50%, 7=75-87%, and 10= 97-100% area of leaf covered with PM). During each rating period the rating was recorded on lower leaves in the canopy. The underside of five lower leaves for each plot was observed to provide a rating for each plot. The ratings were converted to the mid percentage points for analysis. Area under disease progress curves (AUDPC) was calculated for each plot and means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD (α=0.05).
A significant difference (P≤0.0001) in the response of watermelon varieties to PM over time was observed. The appearance of PM on these varieties was confirmed by the presence of conidia of the pathogen on the abaxial surface of the leaves. Significant disease development was observed on the susceptible cultivars USVL677-PMS and Mickey Lee, especially during the third and fourth ratings taken on 6 and 13 July. All commercial varieties and the germplasm line USVL608-PMR were significantly more resistant compared to the susceptible controls. Details of disease reaction of each variety evaluated are provided in the table below.
Reaction of commercial watermelon varieties and USVL germplasm lines to powdery mildew in Charleston, SC, 2021.
Cultivar/ Germplasm |
PM rating on July 6 (%)z |
PM rating on July 13 (%)z |
AUDPC |
|||
| USVL677-PMSy | 92 | ax | 77 | a | 2107 | a |
| Mickey Lee | 77 | b | 82 | a | 1663 | b |
| 7197 HQ | 19 | cd | 21 | b | 415 | c |
| Suprema | 25 | c | 19 | b | 398 | c |
| Excite | 14 | de | 16 | bc | 321 | cd |
| Embassy | 11 | def | 14 | bcd | 234 | cde |
| Expert | 7 | efg | 11 | bcd | 181 | de |
| Summerlicous | 5 | fg | 11 | bcd | 175 | de |
| ORS6406A | 5 | fg | 5 | cd | 121 | de |
| Endless Summer | 2 | g | 6 | cd | 98 | e |
| USVL608-PMR | 2 | g | 4 | d | 75 | e |
| SP-6 | 3 | g | 4 | cd | 62 | e |
| P= | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | |||
| LSD0.05 | 203 | |||||
zPowdery mildew ratings were recorded on 22, 29 June, 6, 13 and 20 July using a 0-10 rating scale similar to the Horsfall and Barrett rating scale of increasing disease severity (0=no visible symptoms of disease observed, 1=trace <1-3% on foliage, 2=3-6%, 3=6-12%, 5=25-50%, 7=75-87%, and 10= 97-100% area of leaf covered with PM). The mid percentage points were used in the analysis. PM rating on lower leaves on 6 and 13 July and Areas Under Disease Progress Curves (AUDPC) are presented. AUDPC was calculated based on 5 weekly ratings.
yUSVL677-PMS and USVL608-PMR were developed at the USDA, ARS, US Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC.
xMeans followed by the same alphabet are not significantly different (P=0.05).
Evaluation of varieties for control of powdery mildew of watermelon, Goldsboro NC 2021.
The experiment was conducted at the Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, NC. Plots were single raised beds on 10-ft centers covered with white plastic mulch; 14-ft long with 10-ft fallow borders on each end and a non-treated guard row on one side. The previous year the field was planted with cucumber. Watermelon was transplanted on 21 May (2-ft in-row spacing, 7 plants/plot). Irrigation and fertilization (4-0-8, N-P-K) were applied via drip tape. Watermelon varieties were randomized into four complete blocks. Disease severity was assessed on 16, 23 and 30 Jul and 5 Aug as percentage of total area colonized by P. xanthii. Data were analyzed in the software ARM (Gylling Data Management, Brookings, SD) using analysis of variance (AOV) and Fisher’s Protected LSD test to separate means.
Powdery mildew was first detected on 7 Jul at approximately 1% disease severity in the field. Disease progressed throughout the course of the experiment. ORS6406A and Embassy had the lowest levels of P. xanthii. The varieties Suprema, USVL 608, 7197 HQ, Excite and Summerlicious all had low levels of disease as well. In the table, varieties are sorted by the final disease severity rating on 5 Aug.
Varieties |
Disease Severityz
|
Disease Severityz
|
Disease Severityz
|
Disease Severityz
|
| ORS6406A | 2.8cdy | 4.8c | 10.0e | 24.3e |
| Embassy | 2.3d | 4.3c | 11.8de | 26.3ef |
| Suprema | 3.8cd | 7.3bc | 15.0cd | 29.3de |
| USVL 608 | 2.5d | 4.8c | 13.0cde | 30.0de |
| 7197 HQ | 3.0cd | 5.8c | 12.8cde | 30.3de |
| Excite | 4.0cd | 7.5bc | 16.8c | 30.5de |
| Summerlicious | 5.0bcd | 8.0bc | 15.5cd | 31.0de |
| Expert | 4.5cd | 8.0bc | 17.0c | 31.5c |
| Endless Summer | 7.5b | 10.5b | 17.0c | 32.8cd |
| Sp-6 | 2.3d | 5.8c | 16.3c | 36.0c |
| Mickey lee | 5.5bc | 11.0b | 33.3b | 50.0b |
| USVL 677 | 24.3a | 56.3a | 81.5a | 94.0a |
z Disease rating scale based on percent of total leaf area colonized by P. xanthii.
y Treatments followed by the same letter(s) within a column are not statistically different (P=0.05, Fisher’s Protected LSD).
Watermelon Fusarium wilt (Lead: Schultheis, Secondary site: Keinath):
Evaluation of watermelon cultivars for resistance to Fusarium wilt in SC and NC, 2021.
Two replicated studies were conducted in fields that contained the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis niveum to assess how susceptible and resistant 10 watermelon cultivars were to Fusarium wilt. One study was conducted in Charleston, SC, the other in Clayton NC in 2021. Cultivars were obtained from four international seed companies and are listed in the table below.
The majority of these cultivars have not been tested in a public study for Fusarium wilt susceptibility, tolerance, or resistance. All cultivars in the replicated study were triploid watermelons. All plants were scored weekly for Fusarium wilt symptoms. Plants in the Charleston, SC were evaluated for 7 weeks while plants were evaluated for 10 weeks in the Clayton, NC study.
Percentage of watermelon plants of each cultivar with Fusarium wilt symptoms at 4, 7 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) and area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC) in South Carolina (SC) and North Carolina (NC), 2021.
Cultivar |
Percentage Incidence Fusarium wilt |
AUDPC |
||||||||||
4 WAP |
7 WAP |
10 WAP |
7 WAP |
|||||||||
SC |
NC |
SC |
NC |
|||||||||
| 7197 HQ | 30.0 | abZ | 24.2 | cd | 65.0 | a | 95.0 | a | 24.2 | cd | 15.0 | a |
| El Capitan | 35.0 | ab | 48.6 | abc | 72.5 | a | 80.0 | a | 8.7 | abc | 19.4 | a |
| Embassy | 27.8 | ab | 14.6 | c | 69.1 | a | 92.5 | a | 3.2 | c | 16.4 | a |
| Fascination | 17.5 | ab | 24.5 | cd | 47.5 | a | 75.0 | a | 4.5 | bc | 10.6 | ab |
| Gr. Fascination | 0.0 | b | 0 | e | 0 | b | 0 | b | 0 | d | 0 | b |
| Joy Ride | 35.0 | ab | 62.4 | ab | 70.0 | a | 100 | a | 11.9 | ab | 17.8 | a |
| Power House | 35.0 | ab | 22.8 | cd | 92.5 | a | 92.5 | a | 4.6 | bc | 17.1 | a |
| Shoreline | 22.5 | ab | 67.8 | a | 97.5 | a | 97.5 | a | 16.4 | a | 15.6 | a |
| S. Nevada (SC) | – | – | 41.4 | abc | – | – | – | – | 9.8 | abc | – | – |
| S. Madre (NC) | 45.0 | a | – | – | 70.0 | a | 95.0 | a | – | – | 21.3 | a |
| Tri-X-313 | 40.0 | a | 34.1 | abc | 65.0 | a | 95.0 | a | 8.7 | abc | 18.3 | a |
ZTreatments followed by the same letter(s) within a column are not statistically different (P=0.05, Tukey LSD).
Percentage plants with Fusarium wilt symptoms ranged from 0 to 67.8% in the SC location 7 weeks after planting. No Fusarium wilt symptoms were detected in the grafted plants in which Carolina Strongback was used as the rootstock. The greatest incidence of Fusarium wilt was detected on Shoreline. Two cultivars had over 60% Fusarium occurrence, 2 cultivars had over 40 to 50 % occurrence, 1 cultivar had 34% occurrence, 3 cultivars between 23 and 25% occurrence, and Fascination had 15% occurrence. The AUDPC correlated over 90% with the percentage incidence of Fusarium wilt in a given cultivar. Yields correlated as well with percentage Fusarium wilt as a high percentage Fusarium wilt resulted in low yields, and reduced or no Fusarium wilt resulted in high yields.
The response of cultivars in the NC location was very different than what occurred in the SC location. All cultivars, regardless of 4, 7, or 10 weeks after planting had a similar percentage of plants with Fusarium wilt symptoms at each given time after planting. Unlike the SC location, no cultivars showed more resistance to Fusarium wilt than another. Like the SC location, the use of the rootstock Carolina Strongback in NC resulted in no plants exhibiting Fusarium wilt symptoms. AUDPC data confirmed a similar response to the Fusarium wilt symptom data at the various time intervals after planting. Best yields were obtained when Fascination was grafted to Carolina Strongback rootstock.
Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2 have been confirmed in the SC location. Race 1 has been used as an inoculum in the NC location. We are working closely with some seed companies to see if only race 1 is present in NC or if there are other races present.
As a note, USVL 380A and USVL 380b were obtained as a part of the CucCAP project from the USDA Vegetable laboratory in Charleston, SC. These two lines are diploid lines. One observational plot was planted in the NC location and there was 0% incidence of Fusarium wilt.
Cucumber downy mildew (Lead: Hausbeck, Secondary site: Quesada): Evaluation of cucumber cultivars for resistance to downy mildew in MI, 2021.
A trial with 11 cultivars, plus 3 cultivars in strip trial, were established at the Michigan State University Plant Pathology Farm in Lansing, MI, in a field of Capac loam soil previously planted to cucumber. The field was plowed on 5 May and disced 17 May. Discing also occurred on 20 May to incorporate the preplant fertilizer (100 lb/A urea, 180 lb/A potash, 25 lb/A of 95% sulfur, 20 lb/A boron). On 25 May, raised beds were formed in the field with black plastic mulch 6 ft apart, and drip tape for irrigation and in-season fertilization. Weed control was performed biweekly via mechanical cultivation.
The 11 cultivar trial was planted on 30 July and the strip trial was planted on 13 August, both from seed. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design with 4 replications. Each replication was 20 ft with a 5 ft buffer between each, and the strip trial was a single 100 ft row. Each week during the growing season the cultivars were fertilized with 28% N liquid fertilizer at 1 gal/A through the drip tape. Quadris F 15.5 fl oz/A and Quintec SC 6 fl oz/A were sprayed on 27 August to control Alternaria leaf spot and powdery mildew, and 10.5 fl oz/A of Admire Pro through the drip lines on 13 August for insect control. The cultivar trial was evaluated for foliar infection on 23 and 30 August and 2, 8, and 17 September. The strip trial had a single foliar evaluation on 18 September.
All cultivars had significantly less disease than the ‘Straight Eight’ cucumber that was included as a control and WI720402 according to the last observation date (17 September). According to the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), WI720402 and 720403 were similar to the susceptible standard Straight Eight. Two of the cultivars, PI197088 and Peacemaker, had less than 10% of the foliage with downy mildew symptoms on the last observation date. However, the AUDPC indicated that PI197088 had significantly less disease over the course of the season compared to all other cultivars included in this study.
In the strip trial, the Encounter cultivar had less disease and foliar necrosis than the other two cultivars.
Cucumber cultivars evaluated for downy mildew resistance in a replicated trial.
Cultivars |
Foliage (%) with Symptoms of Downy Mildewz |
AUDPC |
||||||||||
23 Aug |
30 Aug |
2 Sep |
8 Sep |
17 Sep |
||||||||
| Straight Eight | 8.0 | cy | 25.0 | ab | 35.0 | a | 46.0 | a | 70.0 | a | 972.4 | a |
| PI197088 | 5.0 | bc | 0.5 | d | 0.3 | e | 5.0 | e | 4.0 | g | 76.6 | g |
| Peacemaker | 10.3 | bc | 18.7 | bc | 22.5 | dc | 11.0 | e | 7.5 | g | 349.0 | f |
| Zircon | 7.5 | c | 15.0 | c | 18.8 | d | 18.0 | d | 32.5 | f | 463.1 | ef |
| Citadel | 11.8 | ab | 22.5 | a-c | 23.8 | b-d | 15.0 | d | 33.8 | f | 524.9 | e |
| Gy1402 | 1.0 | c | 20.0 | bc | 26.3 | a-d | 30.0 | c | 53.8 | de | 688.5 | d |
| Gy14D4 | 5.5 | bc | 15.0 | c | 20.0 | d | 35.0 | bc | 58.8 | cd | 711.1 | cd |
| WI7204 | 12.3 | ab | 25.0 | ab | 30.0 | a-c | 45.0 | a | 50.0 | e | 756.6 | cd |
| Liszt | 13.3 | ab | 22.5 | a-c | 26.3 | a-d | 35.0 | bc | 63.8 | bc | 826.4 | bc |
| 720403 | 20.3 | a | 30.0 | a | 32.5 | ab | 40.0 | ab | 57.5 | d | 925.9 | ab |
| WI720402 | 13.0 | ab | 26.3 | ab | 22.5 | dc | 35.0 | bc | 68.8 | ab | 958.6 | ab |
zBased on a visual estimation of the percentage of the foliage with downy mildew symptoms.
yColumn means with a letter in common are not significantly different (LSD t Test; P=0.05).
Cultivars evaluated for downy mildew resistance in a strip trial.
Cultivars |
FoliarInfection (%)z |
FoliarNecrosis (%)y |
| Hyper C | 22.5 | 4.3 |
| Jumbo Green | 13.0 | 2.5 |
| Encounter | 2.5 | 0.0 |
zBased on a visual estimation of the percentage of foliage with downy mildew symptoms on 18 September.
Evaluation of varieties for control of downy mildew on cucumber, Clinton NC 2021.
The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton, NC. Plots were single raised beds on 5-ft centers covered with white plastic mulch; 14-ft long with 5-ft fallow borders on each end and non-treated guard rows on each side. In 2020, the field was planted with cucumber. Cucumber was direct seeded on 11 Aug (2-ft in-row spacing, 2 seed/hill) and thinned to one plant per hill after emergence (7 plants/plot). Irrigation and fertilization (4-0-8, N-P-K) were applied via drip tape. Cucumber varieties were randomized into four complete blocks. Disease severity was assessed on 14 and 23 Sep as percent leaf area with necrosis per plot. Fruit were harvested on 22 Sep. Data were analyzed in the software ARM (Gylling Data Management, Brookings, SD) using analysis of variance (AOV) and Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD) test to separate the means.
Downy mildew was first detected on 31 Aug at approximately 1% disease severity in the field and progressed throughout the course of the trial. PI-197088 had the lowest level of disease. The varieties Encounter, Chaperon, Hyper C, Citadel, Zircon, Peacemaker and Gy14Q2 controlled P. cubensis. In the table, varieties are sorted by the disease severity rating on 23 Sep.
Variety |
Disease Severityz(%)14-Sep |
Disease Severityz (%)23-Sep |
| PI-197088 | 5.0gy | 9.3f |
| Encounter | 12.0de | 26.3e |
| Chaperon | 9.5ef | 28.8de |
| Hyper C | 16.5c | 30.0cde |
| Citadel | 9.8def | 32.5b-e |
| Zircon | 12.3d | 33.8b-e |
| Peacemaker | 8.8f | 33.8b-e |
| Gy14Q2 | 16.8c | 36.3bcd |
| Gy14 | 17.3c | 38.8abc |
| 7204Q3 | 29.3a | 40.0ab |
| Jumbo G/L | 16.5c | 40.0ab |
| Liszt | 20.3b | 47.5a |
z Disease rating scale based on percent necrotic foliage caused by P. cubensis.
y Varieties followed by the same letter(s) within a column are not statistically different (P=0.05, Fisher’s protected LSD Test).
Squash powdery mildew (Lead: Smart, Secondary site: Hausbeck):
Evaluation of squash cultivars for resistance to powdery mildew in NY, 2021.
Six cultivars were evaluated, planted on 6/22 in a randomized complete block design with four replications: Bugle, Waltham, Butterfly (all Cucurbita moschata) and TNK-157, TNK-163, and Golden Delicious (all C. maxima). Powdery mildew was observed in the trial, from natural inoculum, starting in mid-August and was rated six times from 8/9 to 9/10 for disease severity. Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) was calculated and is reported below. Fruit were harvested, counted, and weighed on 9/24, with five representative fruit per plot measured for size, flesh firmness, and Brix.
Bugle and Butterfly had the lowest disease severity while the remaining cultivars each had significantly higher ratings that are indistinguishable from one another. Bugle produced the greatest number of marketable fruit (50.75), while TNK-163 and Golden Delicious produced the fewest (23.50 and 15.25, respectively). Golden Delicious yielded the heaviest fruit on average (2.087 kg), while Bugle yielded the smallest (0.412 kg). The remaining cultivars produced fruit with comparable numbers and weights. Fruit were different in length and width across cultivars, but there were no differences in soluble solids content or flesh firmness. All cultivars will be included in the repeated trial during Year 2.
Comparison of powdery mildew disease severity on six squash cultivars. Plots were rated six times to calculate the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve. The fourth, fifth, and sixth individual ratings are also displayed.
Variety |
Foliar disease severity (%)30-August |
Foliar disease severity (%)3-September |
Foliar disease severity (%)10-September |
Foliar disease severity (%)AUDPC |
| TNK-157 | 1.6865 ax,y | 4.2462 a | 6.4312 a | 16.6215 a |
| TNK-163 | 1.6453 a | 5.6148 a | 7.8495 a | 20.8563 a |
| Waltham | 1.2015 a | 4.9455 a | 7.2287 a | 18.5173 a |
| Golden Delicious | 1.1282 ab | 4.1519 a | 6.2531 a | 15.8676 a |
| Butterfly | 0.3349 bc | 0.8852 b | 2.3149 b | 5.0466 b |
| Bugle | 0.0791 c | 0.4081 b | 0.8598 b | 1.8843 b |
| P valuez | > 0.001 | > 0.001 | > 0.001 | > 0.001 |
xDisease severity data were square root transformed to meet the assumptions of parametric analysis.
yMeans separations achieved using the post hoc Tukey’s HSD adjustment for multiple comparisons.
zProbability values reported from analysis of variance output using RStudio (version 4.0.4).
Comparison of the yield parameters of six squash cultivars. Fruit were harvested once, counted, and weighed to determine parameters, calculated per five plants.
Variety |
Marketable fruitx |
Total fruit |
Marketable yield (kg) |
Total yield |
Average marketable fruit wt (kg) |
| Bugle | 50.75 ay | 51.25 a | 78.74 | 78.85 | 0.412 dz |
| Butterfly | 41.50 ab | 42.75 ab | 92.90 | 93.25 | 0.756 cd |
| Waltham | 33.75 abc | 33.75 abc | 85.09 | 85.09 | 0.926 bc |
| TNK-157 | 23.50 bc | 23.75 bc | 73.78 | 73.99 | 1.109 bc |
| TNK-163 | 18.50 c | 20.00 c | 66.00 | 66.81 | 1.263 b |
| Golden Delicious | 15.25 c | 16.00 c | 124.67 | 124.89 | 2.087 a |
| P valuew | > 0.001 | > 0.001 | 0.542 | 0.439 | > 0.001 |
xMarketable fruit, marketable yield, and average marketable fruit weight included fruit with standard dimensions for each fruit type.
yMeans separations achieved using the post hoc Tukey’s HSD adjustment for multiple comparisons.
zAverage marketable fruit weight data were logarithmically transformed to meet the assumptions of parametric analysis.
wProbability values reported from analysis of variance output using RStudio (version 4.0.4).
