News Release
For Immediate Release —October 2, 2008
UT’s First Pumpkin Field Day a Success
Organizers of the first University of Tennessee Pumpkin Field Day are calling the event a smashing hit. Pumpkin growers and pumpkin lovers from across the Mid-South recently participated in the hands-on educational sessions held at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Researchers say the field day was beneficial for all who attended.
“The Pumpkin Field Day was a huge success,” says event organizer, Annette Wszelaki, University of Tennessee Vegetable Specialist. “We were pleased with the turnout. We look forward to having more vegetable field days in the future.”
Pumpkin Field Day provided growers an opportunity to learn about research in Jack-o’-Lantern varieties, disease resistance and weed control. The field day was kicked off by Dr. Wszelaki with a discussion of the 2008 Jack-o’-Lantern variety trial. This trial compared yield and quality characteristics of 22 varieties of pumpkins. In a session led by plant pathologist, Dr. Craig Canaday, participants learned which pumpkin varieties stand up best to Powdery Mildew, a fungal disease that has plagued Tennessee farmers. Another topic of concern for farmers is weed control. Weed specialist, Greg Armel, talked to growers about new spray techniques that will reduce costs, but not reduce yields. Wszelaki says these sessions were especially helpful to the many first-time growers who attended.
“We had several new growers who say they learned a lot, and I think we definitely generated more interest in UT vegetable research programs.”
Additionally, a special session was conducted which provided tips for creating eye-catching autumn displays. Led by UT horticulturalist Jason Reeves, the session was held in front of a spectacular 5,000-pumpkin display that Reeves and his team recently assembled. The display will continue through Thanksgiving and viewers are welcome.
“With the growing popularity of autumn displays, crops like pumpkins are becoming more significant to the state economy,” says Reeves. “So if our research can help the grower and promote consumer interest, then everyone wins.”
Wszelaki says she hopes UT Pumpkin Field Day will become an annual event. For more information about UT AgResearch at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, visit http://westtennessee.tennessee.edu. Be sure to monitor the site for future postings, including the results of Dr. Wszelaki’s Jack-o’-Lantern variety storage trial.
The West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center is one of ten outdoor laboratories operated by UT AgResearch, a division of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. These unique facilities are devoted to advancing agricultural research. In addition to its research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.
####
Contact: Ginger Trice, UTIA Marketing and Communications, 731-425-4768ds