By Jamie Martin
At the University of New Hampshire (UNH), autumn not only brings a spectacle of colors but also marks the harvest season of one of North America's longest-standing cucurbit breeding programs.
Managed by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and led by scientist Chris Hernandez, this program is a hub for innovation in pumpkin and squash breeding.
Since the 1940s, UNH has been at the forefront of cucurbit research, generating over 100 new varieties and over $2 million in seed catalog sales worldwide. This year's harvest includes exciting developments like the 'Tetsukabuto' winter squash—a perfect blend of flavor and hardiness, marrying the qualities of kabocha and butternut squash.
The process of harvesting at UNH's Kingman Research Farm in Madbury involves meticulous sorting and weighing by team members like Ella Lukacz and Jeff Anderson. The farm, adorned with sunflowers and zinnias, provides a vibrant backdrop for this vital work.
Under the guidance of Hernandez, the program not only focuses on producing high-yield, disease-resistant varieties but also on improving nutritional profiles. These efforts are crucial in ensuring food security and sustainability in farming practices. The team is dedicated to collecting genetic data to preserve and advance their breeding legacy.
For those interested in more details about the strides being made in cucurbit breeding, UNH Today offers an in-depth look at the thriving program under its new leadership, promising continued contributions to global agriculture
Photo Credit: gettyImages-digitalvision
Categories: National