Breeding and Evaluation of Squash and Pumpkin for Multiple Disease and Insect Resistance

Abstract

The summer squash ‘Whitaker’, developed in a Cornell breeding program partially funded by the NYS IPM Program, is resistant to more diseases than any other squash variety. Crosses were made this year with ‘Whitaker’ to incorporate resistance to additional diseases and an insect into ‘Whitaker’ and other varieties. Resistance to watermelon mosaic virus was emphasized in the crosses and virus tests. Crosses and tests were also made for resistance to cucumber beetles.