Powdery Mildew Tolerant Pumpkin Variety Trials

Abstract

For the summer of 2007, six powdery mildew tolerant pumpkin (PMT) variety trails were put out in grower’s fields in eastern NY. The trials were set up primarily as demonstrations of the newer disease tolerant varieties available. It is one thing to read the descriptions in a seed catalog but it is better for growers to see a pumpkin variety grown under actual field conditions. A few years ago, there were only a few PMT varieties and those were limited to a certain size category. Now, PMT varieties are available in all the various marketing sizes. Growers are able to choose from 5oz. miniatures to 35lb. giant pumpkins and have the advantage of powdery mildew tolerance.