The best cultivars and hybrids of squash and zucchini for commercial production

Selection of squash and zucchini cultivars for commercial production

In our country, about 30 cultivars and hybrids of squash and about 10 cultivars and hybrids of zucchini are regionalized. A well-informed choice of hybrid composition allows for the formation of a reliable conveyor for the uninterrupted supply of fresh produce. Traditionally, farms cultivate white-fruited squash (Gribovsky-37, Beloplodny, Rolik, Anna, Sote-38, Belogor E1) and cultivars with light green fruit color (Dlinnoplodny, Yakor, Nemchinovsky). Among zucchini, the most popular are Aeronaut, Zebra, Tsukesha, Kuand, Faraon, Khelena, and Zheltoplodny.

To plan harvesting schedules and plant protection, it is necessary to consider the varietal characteristics of the crops. In addition to the main cultivars, squash Anna, Sote-38, and Nemchinovsky have proven themselves well in production. When selecting seed material for open field and protected soil, focus on the following characteristics:

• Gribovsky-37. An early-maturing cultivar that forms cylindrical pale green fruits 18—20 cm long and weighing up to 600 g on the 40th—50th day after emergence. It is distinguished by good tolerance to cold snaps, relative resistance to disease, and high responsiveness to the application of mineral and organic fertilizers.
• Beloplodny. An early-ripening bush-type cultivar with a period until the first harvest of 38—40 days. It produces white cylindrical fruits and is characterized by high yield.

• Belogor E1. One of the first early-maturing squash hybrids of domestic breeding. The first greenish-white cylindrical fruits weighing 0.5—1.0 kg are harvested on the 34th—40th day after the appearance of seedlings. The semi-bush plant easily tolerates drops in temperature and is relatively resistant to disease.
• Rolik. An ultra-early-ripening bush-type cultivar with fruiting beginning on the 36th—38th day. Cylindrical white fruits 18—20 cm long reach a weight of 600—800 g. The plant is cold-hardy and is slightly affected by gray mold.
• Yakor. An early-maturing cultivar with a ripening period of 41—49 days. The fruits are cylindrical, light yellow, and weigh up to 900 g. The plant is cold-hardy and possesses relative resistance to major pathogens.

In the zucchini segment, the following cultivars are recommended for obtaining high-quality green fruits with high marketability:

• Zebra. An early-maturing bush-type cultivar, entering fruiting on the 41st—49th day after emergence. Cylindrical light green fruits with dark green stripes weigh up to 900 g. The cultivar is quite cold-hardy, but is affected by powdery mildew and white mold.
• Tsukesha. An early-ripening cultivar with the start of harvesting on the 41st—51st day. It forms light green cylindrical fruits up to 40 cm long with a pattern of small dark green dots and white flesh. It has average resistance to disease and requires more heat than Zebra.
• Aeronaut. An early-maturing cultivar, ripening on the 47th day from emergence. Dark green fruits with light spots have a cylindrical shape and weigh up to 1300 g (the flesh is whitish-yellow). The plants are relatively resistant to powdery mildew and bacteriosis, adapt perfectly to all types of soil and climate, but are severely affected by viruses.

Biological requirements of eggplant for growing conditions

Eggplants are a heat-loving and light-demanding crop, exceeding tomatoes and peppers in these indicators. In greenhouse operations, they are cultivated as annuals, although by their nature they are perennial plants. The bushes are branched, 30 to 100 cm high, with delicate, large leaves. Due to the large surface area of the leaf blade, intense evaporation of moisture occurs, so the plants do not tolerate drought at all.

• Growing season of eggplant — about 160 days
• Sowing time of seeds for transplants — before March 10
• Root penetration depth — up to 50 cm
• Height of an eggplant bush — from 30 to 100 cm
• Weight of a mature fruit — from 50 to 500 g

The plant forms a long taproot and adventitious roots up to 50 cm long. The lower part of the eggplant stem quickly becomes woody, especially in the event of a deficiency of soil moisture. For this reason, transplants do not tolerate replanting well, requiring maximum care when performing the work.

Eggplant is a self-pollinating crop with large, solitary, hermaphrodite flowers of blue or violet color with bright yellow pistils. Fleshy, but not juicy, fruits can have a cylindrical, pear-shaped, spherical, or ovoid shape and are most often colored violet (white and orange forms are also found). The fruits have high dietary properties and promote the removal of cholesterol, and the dried leaves of the plant are used in the treatment of gout and liver disease.

When preserving fruits, it is necessary to strictly follow the processing technology. Eggplants contain very few acids, therefore, preparing them without adding acid is dangerous due to the risk of botulism. Detailed recommendations for preparing preserves will be given in the next section.

The crop is extremely demanding regarding lighting and does not tolerate even slight shading. The eggplant is a short-day plant, so during the first 10—15 days after emergence, seedlings must be provided with a strictly defined light period.

Lighting should be intense (only south-facing windows are suitable). Interestingly, eggplants "prefer" the red part of the spectrum, while tomatoes prefer the blue one. The soil for transplants must be loose and light, but unlike the soil for tomatoes — it must be strictly neutral.