NC State Extension Horticultural Science Vegetable Specialist, Jonathan Schultheis, and the Cultural Management Program in the Horticulture Department at NC State have summarized the results from their 2023 North Carolina and Tennessee Pumpkin Cultigen Evaluation Study they conducted in cooperation with University of Tennessee Vegetable Extension Specialist, Annette Wszelaki, and her team in the Department of Plant Sciences and the full report is now available on the Cucurbit Portal. Please visit the Cucurbit Cultivar Evaluations & Variety Trials page to view field studies on melons, pumpkins, and squash from previous years.

Dr. Schultheis and Annette Wszelaki and their teams in the Horticulture Department at NC State and Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee conducted a cultigen evaluation study of 69 carving pumpkins, specialty pumpkins, and gourds in replicated and unreplicated plots. These cultigens were evaluated for yield and quality characteristics that include but are not limited to: shape, suturing, texture, and length and diameter.

This study was made possible the assistance of Tracy Taylor (Superintendent) and John Council (Horticulture Supervisor), Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs, NC, as well as Brooke Emory (UT Research Technician) and the personnel at the research station for their help in establishing, maintaining, and harvesting the 2023 cultigen evaluation study. The cooperation and support of HM Clause, Rupp Seeds, Johnny’s Seeds, Lark Seeds, Sakata, Seneca, and Hollar Seeds was also appreciated. We also want to thank Joy Smith for performing the statistical analysis and aiding in the interpretation of the data collected from this study.