Pumpkins are a fun crop to grow, but for gardeners in areas with humid summers, such as in the Midwest and the eastern US, powdery mildew disease can reduce production. In 2005, researchers at the University of Missouri decided to trial more than a dozen different pumpkin varieties to determine which were most disease resistant. They recorded the total tonnage produced and the percent that were marketable.

The most disease-resistant variety in the 12- to 20-pound pumpkin group was ‘Magic Lantern’. Almost every ‘Magic Lantern’ pumpkin produced was marketable. ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Reliant’ also performed well.

Of the small ornamental pumpkins, exotic varieties such as ‘El Dorado’ and 'Estrella’ had the most disease resistance.

For a complete report, go to: University of Missouri.