Re: Genetics: Are we stuck?

Hello Richard N.

It is up to each grower/fanatic in this hobby/addiction/disease/obsession to
deal with her/his spouse as best she/he can.I tell my wife that I could be
doing a lot worst things with my time and energy than working in the garden
where she knows where I am and I am involved with what I love most,after
her,of course.This usually keeps her quiet,for awhile at least.

That aside,you have raised a subject that is very important and of great
interest to me, and has been for a number of years.

Back in 1992,which was a threshold year for me,I was lucky enough(yes,just
lucky) to grow the heaviest official pumpkin in Canada.At the same time I
heard about 4 heavier ones in the USA and at the same time heard conflicting
reports about world records from more than one organization.This last claim
continued each year after 1992 for a time,a bit confusing wouldn't you
think?What about the media reports that were completely misleading?In fact
any one reporter repeats what he/she hears so media reports are interesting
but not the complete answer.

This made me wonder about two things:

1.Where did these other growers get their seeds?

2.How can there be more that one world record in any one year?

So being an inquisitive person,I though I would try to dig into these mysteries.

In summary,I have found out a lot of things and I think perhaps helped a lot
of growers to be better able to assess what is really happening.For me it is
a labor of love but at times it is very discouraging because of the lack of
involvement by some major growers and site coordinators.

So now your query triggers a response that would fill two 8.5 x 11 pages I'm
sure,if I can keep it short.I can see a report on all the world records of
the last few years and where the trail ends when tracing back in history.You
are right,all 1997 major pumpkins can be traced back to a handful of
outstanding fruit and as history will show,outstanding growers.

During the next few weeks I plan to write an article on this subject and
perhaps Gus Saunders will publish it in the Ottawa-St Lawrence Growers
newsletters.This is my chance for a plug for the OSLG newsletter,which is
beyond any doubt the top AG Pumpkin newsletter in the world and a tribute to
the energy and enthusiam of Gus and Joan Saunders.

The OSLG homepage (by Gus Saunders) can be easily found on the internet
under "Farmer Gus"

Richard,this long message will probably be deleted by most,but it is your
fault.Why did you raise such a fastinating subject? Why do not more people
have a greater feeling for genetics?Don't forget Charles Darwin and the
The Beagle.A recommended reading for all serious AG growers.------Al Eaton

P.S.Would be interested to hear if anyone in this email group would like to
see a genetics/history report in the OSLG newsletter.
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At 12:24 20/11/97 -0600, you wrote:
>All:
>
>A few days ago I noticed, in divulging Al's family tree, that an
>unbelievably large amount of the heritage of the giants we are growing has
>a very narrow genetic base.  In many of the specimens as much as 70-85% or
>so of the parentage (that was known) goes back to only three individuals.  
>
>My question to the group is how do we all percieve this narrow genetic
>base? and further......what potential for future gains do we have if we are
>mostly just reorganizing and crossing "fairly similar" lines.  In the big
>picture are we stuck?  What other types of  C. maxima can we breed into the
>giants to give us the extra boost to bring our sport/hobby to the next
>level.  
>
>I'm an optimist and I think our next really big goal is the One ton mark
>(2000#'s) that is.  Can we get there without some major genetic events?
>
>I hope this message jars some healthy conversation about genetics and
>breeding.  For me this time of the year is when I begin to think most about
>these issues.  
>
>Oh yea, and Al........you better watch your back side, my wife is ready to
>come after you if I sleep with the tree one more night!!!!!
>
>
>Rick from Wisconsin
>
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