New cantaloupe, pumpkin and acorn squash seeds developed at UNH now available

Brent Loy, emeritus professor of plant genetics, continues his ground-breaking plant breeding work as a researcher with the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, according to the release. His most recent work has resulted in the commercial release of nine new cucurbit varieties that are well suited to state and regional growing conditions, have improved yields, and exhibit disease and pest resistance. Loy and his team also have been focused on reducing farm inputs of pesticides and labor for weed control by incorporating better disease resistance into new varieties and developing varieties with a more compact and upright growth habit for better weed control through cultivation.

“Traditional breeding projects at the University of New Hampshire have been highly successful in developing new varieties of melon, ornamental pumpkin, winter squash, summer squash, and gourds which enhance the capacity of farmers to provide a diversity of produce at local markets such as roadside stands, farmers markets, and related retail markets,” Loy said.

Loy’s experiment station-funded work, which has largely taken place at the experiment station’s Kingman Farm, has resulted in more than 70 new varieties of squash, pumpkins, gourds, and melons sold in seed catalogs throughout the world, many of the varieties being joint developments with seed companies located in the Northeast. 

“Development of new varieties has been a key underpinning for production of abundant and nutritious vegetables in North America. With increasing land prices and increased costs associated with inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and labor, improved variety performance in terms of yield, quality and ease of culture is paramount to successful farming,” he said. “Moreover, income generated by regional seed companies in producing and marketing locally adapted varieties helps maintain their profitability.”