Yield of 12 Zucchini and Three Yellow Squash Selections in Southwest Michigan

Ron Goldy and Virginia Wendzel

Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022

Objective To evaluate the commercial potential of 12 zucchini and three yellow squash selections under

southwest Michigan growing conditions.

Summary Statistical differences were noted between the 12 zucchini entries but not the three yellow

squash. Paycheck had highest total yield at 1,928 half-bushels per acre, however, Reward,

RSQ6144, Bonus, Leopard, and Payroll zucchini were statistically similar. Paycheck and

Reward were also among the leaders in yield of small, medium, and large fruit. The two yellow

zucchini, Golden Delight and Golden Glory, were lowest in total yield which is not unusual

for yellow zucchini. The three yellow squash were similar in total yield and yield of small,

medium, and large fruit.

Materials and Methods Fertilizer Prior to planting 33-0-0, 0-0-60, Cal-fortified (calcium plus micronutrients), sulfur, and Solubor

were broadcast and incorporated at 120, 330, 100, 28 and 13 pounds/acre, respectively. After

planting, fertilizer was applied through the drip system as 4-0-8-2 (2% Ca) at the rate of 1 pound

nitrogen/acre/day beginning June 12 ending August 7.

Fumigation/Weed Control Beds were fumigated with 300 pounds/acre 67/33% Methyl Bromide/Chloropicrin at shaping

and plastic laying on May 12. Between-row weeds were controlled by cultivating and hoeing.

Planting All entries were direct seeded on May 29 and reseeded if needed on June 9. Beds were 6 inches

high and spaced 5.5 feet on center with in row spacing of 1.5 feet, providing 5,280 plants/acre.

The trial was planted and analyzed as a completely randomized design with four replications and

eight plants/replication. Two guard plants bordered each plot.

Plant Care Plots were irrigated as needed and disease and insect pests controlled using recommended

cultural practices.

Harvest and Data Collection Harvest was conducted 14 times between July 13 and August 14 and fruit graded into small,

medium, large, and culls.

Results and Discussion Significant differences were noted for all traits measured in the zucchini trial (Table 1).

However, this was not the case for the yellow squash trial (Table 2). Paycheck zucchini had the

highest total yield at 1,928 half-bushels per acre (Table 1), but it was not statistically different

than five other entries. Paycheck was also among the leaders in yield in all categories and the

leader in medium (653 half-bushels) and cull fruit (62 half-bushels). Reward had the highest

yield of small fruit (1,045 half-bushels) and was among the leaders in total, medium, and large

fruit yield. Bonus had the highest yield of large fruit (346 half-bushels) and was one of the

leaders in total and cull yield.

Paycheck fruit is not as long as some of the other zucchini in the trial. This results in a fruit

diameter increase but not an increase in length as the fruit matures. Therefore, Paycheck needs

to be harvested on a regular basis to keep fruit in the proper length to diameter ratio. This may

have been an interaction with the cool weather experienced in 2009, but other entries had longer,

thinner fruit.

The two yellow zucchini entries, Golden Delight and Golden Glory, had the lowest yield but

similar total yields at 910 and 908 half-bushels per acre, respectively. Lower yield for yellow

zucchini compared to green zucchini is not unusual. Golden Glory had 83% of its yield as

small fruit whereas Golden Delight had its fruit size divided more between small (60%) and

medium (36%).

The three yellow squashes trialed were statistically similar in their performance in all categories

measured (Table 2). Total yield ranged from 708 (ACX7002Y) to 879 (ACX7001Y) half-bushels

per acre, but the difference was not significant. All three entries were straight neck types.

Cool weather experienced in southwest Michigan contributed to generally smaller fruit size in

2009. It also helped with plant survivability and diminished virus incidence. Several entries were

tolerant to virus but symptoms were not observed on even susceptible cultivars such as

Spineless Beauty. Virus symptoms did occur later in the season beyond the final harvest date of

this trial.

Table 1. Yield in half-bushels per acre of 12 zucchini entries grown at the Southwest Michigan

Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Plant population was 5,280 plants per

acre.

Variety Seed

Source*

Total

Yield

Yield

Small

%

Total

Yield

Medium

%

Total

Yield

Large

%

Total

Yield

Cull

%

Total

Paycheck RS 1,928 950 49 653 34 264 13 62 3

Reward HM 1,872 1045 56 611 33 202 10 15 1

RSQ6144 RS 1,743 801 47 600 34 305 17 37 2

Bonus AC 1,667 811 49 461 28 346 20 50 3

Leopard HM 1,657 853 53 455 27 319 18 30 2

Payroll RS 1,610 852 53 474 29 279 17 3

Table 2. Yield in half-bushels per acre of three yellow squash entries grown at the Southwest

Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Plant population was 5,280

plants per acre.

Variety Seed

Source*

Total

Yield

Yield

Small

%

Total

Yield

Medium

%

Total

Yield

Large

%

Total

Yield

Cull

%

Total

ACX7001Y AC 879 643 74 197 21 23 2 15 2

Slick Pik JS 717 533 77 179 23 4 1 0 0

ACX7002Y AC 708 529 74 158 23 0 0 21 3

lsd=.05 ns ns ns ns ns ns 2 ns ns

*Seed Source: AC=Abbott and Cobb Seed Company, JS=Johnnys Seeds

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