In
2017, North Carolina ranked 4th in pumpkin production in the US behind
Illinois, Texas and California. This makes North Carolina the largest
pumpkin producing state on the eastern seaboard. The economic value of
the pumpkin crop in North Carolina was reported to be more than 15
million dollars in 2016. The USDA-National Agricultural Statistics
Service reported pumpkin acreage in North Carolina and Tennessee at
3,800 and 1,900 acres, respectively. The crop carries a significant
value to producers in both states and it appears as though production of
this commodity is increasing in North Carolina. In the western part of
North Carolina and in pockets of Tennessee, pumpkin production is
extensive due to the climate and soils of the region. Collaborative
pumpkin cultivar evaluation trials have been conducted by North Carolina
State University and the University of Tennessee for over a decade.
Growing conditions in the higher elevations of these states seems to
translate in less disease pressure. According to the USDA Economic
research service, consumer demand for specialty varieties has been
increasing in recent years. The pumpkin cultivars included in this trial
were mainly evaluated for yield. However, each cultivar was also rated
for shape, color, suturing, vine habit, handle characteristics, fruit
size measurements and powdery mildew symptoms. The fruit obtained from
each replicated cultivar are also identified in a photograph. Several
other cultivars were also included in the trial as observation plots
(non-replicated) and most of these cultivars are identified in a
photograph where available.
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