Dr. J. BRENT LOY Professor of Plant Biology Ph.D. Colorado State University, 1967 jbloy@christa.unh.edu

My breeding and genetic research focuses on improvement of three species: Cucurbita pepo,Cucurbita maxima,and Cucumis melo.Within C. pepo,I am exploiting a hull-less seeded trait to develop snackseed cultivars of pumpkin for the snackseed and confectionery industries and for use as a high protein and energy food in developmental countries. We are also investigating the inheritance and developmental genetics of several seed and plant morphological traits, especially those traits associated with production efficiency of seeds and fruits. In C. maxima,we are developing bush strains of fresh market squash and evaluating production efficiency in bush xvine hybrids. Our research in C. melo(melons) involves incorporating disease resistance into early melon hybrids and use of monoecy and gynoecy for hybrid seed production. Breeding efforts for early season cultivars of melons are being integrated with plastics research focusing primarily on improved mulch and rowcover technologies for extending the growing season.

Representative Publications

Carle, R.B. and J.B. Loy. 1995. Heritability of seed size and its association with fruit size in a hull-less seeded F2 population of Cucurbita pepoL. In Lester, G.E. and J.R. Dunlap (eds.), Proc. Cucurbitaceae '94: Evaluation and Enhancement of Cucurbit Germplasm. Alexandria, VA: ASHS Press, pp. 143-145.

Carle, R.B. and J.B. Loy. 1996. Morphology and anatomy of the fused vein trait in Cucurbita pepoL. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121:6-12.

Carle, R.B. and J.B. Loy. 1996. Genetic analysis of the fused vein trait in Cucurbita pepoL. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121:13-17.

Carle, R.B. and J.B. Loy. 1996. Fused vein trait in Cucurbita pepoL. associated with subvitality of the male gametophyte. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121:18-22.

Vining, K.J. and J.B. Loy. 1998. Seed development and seed fill in hull-less seeded cultigens of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo).In McCreight, J.N. (ed.), Proc. Cucurbitaceae '98: Evaluation and Enhancement of Cucurbit Germplasm. Alexandria, VA: ASHS Press, pp. 64-69.