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 2024 North Carolina Zucchini Squash Cultigen Evaluation Study and the 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 his team conducted an evaluation of 12 zucchini squash cultigens from 5 seed companies at the Central Crops Research Station in Clayton, NC. The zucchini entries were evaluated for yield and quality characteristics such as spinyness and shape.

This study was possible with the assistance of Keith Starke (Superintendent) at the Central Crops Research Station, Clayton, NC, as well as the personnel at the research station including Faye Weldon, Josh Brady, Andre Schwed, and Michael King, with their help in establishing, maintaining, and harvesting the zucchini squash cultigen evaluation study. We want to acknowledge summer employees Lia Hunt, Cameron Roberts, Nate Wyschka, and Daphne Meyer for their assistance with the study. The cooperation and support of Bejo, HM Clause, Rijk Zwaan, Seminis, and Syngenta are 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.