Abstract

MENESES-MARQUEZ, I.; VILLANUEVA-VERDUZCO, C.  and  SAHAGUN-CASTELLANOS, J.. Changes in mature fruit quality of a synthetic squash population (Cucurbita pepo L.). Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.3, pp.269-274. ISSN 2007-4034.

In the milpa cropping system (intercropping corn and squash), production of high quality mature squash can be an alternative for increasing the farmer's income per unit of area. Considering this, from 1997 to 2001, during each spring-summer cycle, combined selection of maternal half-sib families was carried out in a synthetic squash population. The objective was to improve mature fruit quality evaluated on the basis of fruit flesh color and flavor traits. Frequency of high quality fruits was increased by combined selection; in the fifth selection cycle it reached 73 % in contrast with 18 % found in the original population. Despite five selection cycles, participatory plant breeding approach has maintained the genetic diversity observed in the original population, although the frequency of fruits with intense yellow, light yellow and white flesh was low in the fifth cycle. The greatest genetic gain was for intense orange flesh color (207 %) contrasting with that of fruits with intense yellow flesh (5.5 %). Combined selection improved the very sweet flesh flavor: a larger percentage (25 %) of fruits were grouped in this category while that of fruits with insipid flavor decreased. Genetic gain was 211 and -15 % for very sweet and insipid fruits, respectively.

Keywords : Cucurbita pepo L.; plant breeding; combined selection; flesh flavor; flesh color.

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