Disease resistant squash varieties help save yield and profit potential

One of the greatest challenges in squash production is disease, with the potential of up to 100% yield loss from some. Certain viruses impact not only the health, but also the fruit quality and appearance of squash, which makes it less desirable for the end consumer. That’s why Syngenta Vegetable Seeds developed products that are resistant to four of the most damaging and prevalent squash diseases, resulting in higher yield potential and high-quality fruit for grocery store and market shelves.  

The Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, squash lineup provides squash growers with resistance to: Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucurbit-papaya ringspot potyvirus (PRSV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).  

These four diseases are most commonly spread via aphids, according to Cornell University. However, totally controlling the aphid population is challenging, so genetic resistance is even more important.

Resistant Varieties Help Preserve Yield

The best way to prevent yield losses is to plant disease resistant varieties. For example, PRSV can infect squash early, but disease resistant varieties can save significant yield from this devastating disease.  

While not all diseases impact plants the same way or at the same time, it’s important to defend the crop. For example, WMV may have less severe symptoms and distortion than the other squash mosaic diseases but planting a variety that is resistant to this disease can protect yield losses from start to finish. Additionally, ZYMV and CMV each could cause yield losses of up to 75-80%, making resistant varieties crucial to help provide a successful squash harvest.

Diseases Threaten Profitability

In addition to severe yield losses, mosaic viruses can greatly impact the overall quality of squash, which can severely limit a growers’ profitability. Learn more about each disease:

ZYMV foliar symptoms include prominent yellow mosaic, stunting, and necrosis. Fruits will be small and significantly malformed and appear green mottled.  

Look for a strong mosaic on foliage in PRSV infection. Leaves may be deeply serrated. Fruits will be malformed, contain inconsistent coloring, and feature knobby overgrowth.  

WMV may have less severe foliar symptoms in some cases, but fruits will still be distorted with color breaking. This slightly milder disease can still have a major impact on profitability by malforming the fruit, potentially making it unmarketable.  

CMV overwinters in perennial weed sources that are very attractive to aphids, which are effective at spreading the disease. Some squash types with CMV may show severe cupping along the midvein, with a reduction in leaves, and color breaking. The plant cannot recover from this.  

Resistance built into the genetics of the plants helps protect squash all season long, meaning the plant can photosynthesize, grow, and bear fruits better. A better growing season means better yield compared to plants with infection.

On top of disease these resistances, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds researchers develop squash varieties that grow to support a uniform harvest, refined plant shapes, and strong overall plant health.

Yield and Profitability Potential Protected by Innovation

Innovations from Syngenta Vegetable Seeds save yield potential, while delivering on the quality growers need, like squash varieties that have resistance to all four key squash diseases. With trailing happening across the globe, researchers ensure that beyond disease protection, squash varieties can stand up to the environmental demands where they are grown.