A trio of Harris Moran Seed Company cucumbers fared well in a recent slicer yield trial in North Carolina. An upcoming commercial variety from Harris Moran – HMX 8416 – ranked first in yield, first in fancy plus No. 1 grade, and first for overall fruit quality.

One of the most disease tolerant varieties tested, HMX 8416 outperformed such popular commercial hybrids as Dasher II, Turbo, Indy, Panther, and Thunder.

Trials conducted by North Carolina State University tested 19 varieties of slicer cucumbers near the town of Clinton.

Two other Harris Moran varieties – Greensleeves and General Lee – scored close to the top in overall rankings.

Greensleeves, a well-known high yielder even under tough conditions, reaffirmed its trustworthy reputation as it scored in the top 20% in yield, marketable yield, percent culls, earliness, overall fruit quality, and disease resistance.

Greensleeves’ dark green fruit features early maturity and small seed cavity with slow seed development. Its disease package includes: resistance to Scab, tolerance to Angular Leaf Spot, tolerance to Downy Mildew, and tolerance to Powdery Mildew.

General Lee, which has established itself as one of the industry stalwarts, also ranked in the top 20% in all categories. A classy, consistent slicer with extraordinary shipping ability, General Lee features resistance to Powdery Mildew, resistance to Scab, resistance to Downy Mildew, and tolerance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus.

Gary Taurick, HM’s slicer cucumber breeder, said upcoming varieties like HMX 8416 will complement Greensleeves and General Lee.

"Research trials in market areas have shown HMX 8416 produces good yields with a high percentage of top grade fruit and few culls."

Harris Moran's newest slicing cucumber variety will be grown by a few select growers in the Southeast this season, with limited general availability coming in the Spring of 2002.