Identifying and Marketing Quality Open-Pollinated and Organic Cucurbit Seedstocks for Virginia

Project Overview

FS13-273
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2013: $9,963.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2015
Grant Recipient: Common Wealth Seed Growers
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
Edmund Frost
Common Wealth Seed Growers / Twin Oaks Seed Farm

Commodities

  • Vegetables: cucurbits

Practices

  • Crop Production: pollination
  • Farm Business Management: marketing management
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture

    Proposal summary:

    Replicated variety trials of cucumber, melon and winter squash are at the heart of this project. We are focusing on evaluating resistance to Downy Mildew, as well as Bacterial Wilt resistance, yield and fruit quality/characteristics. We are conducting a survey and other outreach to assess growers' cucurbit variety needs and priorities.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Our goals include identification of Downy Mildew resistant seedstocks for future breeding work and for immediate seed production and sale, as well as an analysis of the demand for such seedstocks and breeding programs in our region.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.