Abstract

MENDEZ-LOPEZ, A. et al. Collection, characterization and grouping of parthenocarpic genotypes of round zucchini pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.). Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.2, pp.123-131. ISSN 2007-4034.

This study was conducted in the experimental fields of the Chapingo Autonomous University, located in Chapingo, State of Mexico. The aim was to collect and characterize new early (precocious) and parthenocarpic squash (Cucúrbita pepo L) genotypes for the development of varieties suitable for greenhouse production. Forty-six parthenocarpic bush-type round zucchini genotypes were obtained and characterized agronomically. The genotypes were identified and selected from among 5000 plants of a purposely-constructed population of broad genetic base, which represented a system efficiency of 0.92%. Of the 46 genotypes, 28 produced round fruits, 12 had oblong fruits, six had flattened fruits and one yielded cylindrical fruit. There were 41 genotypes with shallow ribs, four with intermediate ribs and one without ribs. Seventeen genotypes exhibited sweet pulp, 10 with intermediate pulp and the 19 with insipid pulp. Six genotypes yielded mature fruits with <20 mm-thick pulp, 29 with pulp between 20-30 mm thick and 11 with pulp >30 mm thick. The 46 partenocarpic genotypes obtained were classed into three groups: group 1, plants with intermediate-length internodes exhibiting round, heavy, thick-shelled fruits with many large seeds; group 2, plants with short internodes, producing small light-weight, elongated thin-shelled fruits with few small seeds; group 3, plants yielding long, round, thin-skinned fruit with many small seeds.

Keywords : Bush-type genotypes; parthenocarpy; selection; characterization.

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