Question of the Week – Genetic Mutation

This week, the question was: What is going on with this squash plant?

The yellow venation in this plant was caused by some sort of genetic mutation. While attractive, mutations like this may affect the performance (yield) or marketability of a plant. Sometimes new cultivars are developed from genetic mutations that are viewed as desirable, though this is more common in the ornamental industry. Here is a great article with more information about genetic mutations in plants.