James Myers is the contacts for the collaboration with the OSP and NMSU.

Oregon State University established organic transition ground this past spring (2005) at the OSU Lewis-Brown Farm. The area is bounded on three sides by the station boundaries, and shares round with an organic cherry orchard being established by Dr. Azarenko. Our three breeding projects are proceeding smoothly. We are developing 1) an OP broccoli variety for organic production, 2) late blight resistant tomatoes, and 3) a bush version of the C. moschata "Troboncino" summer squash. In our farm plots, the broccoli material is just beginning to head, and we are selecting for uniformity. Because of rains during May and June (2005), we were late with our planting, and I have concerns that we will be able to mature seed this year. Much depends on how our fall weather proceeds. Conditions are still too warm and dry to introduce late blight into our tomato plots for disease screening, but with cooler nights and longer dew periods, it should be possible to infect material soon. Tomato plots show segregation for many morphological traits. For the summer squash program, we are growing out F2 materials and self-pollinating those with desirable traits (bush or semi-bush habit, long straight necks with small seed bulbs, different skin colors.)

Above: Breeding projects conducted at OSU on a bush version of C. moschata 'Troboncino' summer squash.

Above: More pics of 'Troboncino' breeding project.