Genetic variation among land races of Cucurbita moschata and inheritance of its fruit yield and quality

[摘要] English: Tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchsne) is one of the most importantvegetable crops in Africa. Apart from its phylogenetic relationships with othermembers of the genus, little information is available for this species. This studyexplored the amount of genetic variation in Zambia and Malawi for possible use inbreeding. UPGMA cluster analysis from 3~) polymorphic and 105 monomorphicDNA fragments amplified by 16 RAPD markers showed four clusters, withgenotypes from Malawi mainly clustering in three clusters while all genotypes fromZambia and three from Malawi clustered in one cluster. Six land races from thisclassification were mated in a daillel fashion and parents and progeny evaluated forfruit yield and quality. Variety effects were significant for the time to femaleanthesis and first fruit maturity, the weight of the first fruit, mean fruit weight andsoluble solids. These characters could be improved by selection. Only for solublesolids were the progeny as a set different from the set of parents. Both variety andspecific heterosis were significant FOR some of these traits, offering opportunitiesfor heterosis breeding.

[发布机构] University of the Free State