Abstract

VILLANUEVA-VERDUZCO, Clemente et al. Response to participatory mass selection in sweet squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch.). Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.2, pp.239-253. ISSN 2007-4034.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchsh.2011.10.057.

An experiment was conducted in Achichipico, Morelos, Mexico, to assess in situ the genetic gain of four cycles of participatory mass selection, with regard to the original variety, in a sweet squash population (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) intercropped with maize. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. After every four rows of maize, one row of squash without maize was sown in rows 0.9 m apart and 20 m long. Genetic gain was calculated for each selection cycle and an analysis of variance was performed on data of fourteen plant, fruit and seed traits. Genetic gain per selection cycle in flesh color and flavor was 14.1 % and 11.8 %, respectively; in fruit yield per hectare (11.8 %), fruit yield per plant (9.8 %), fruit weight (6.5 %) and seed yield per hectare (5.1 %). The analysis of variance detected highly significant differences among selection cycles only for fruit width, flesh color and flavor, while the other traits were not statistically different. A clear upward numerical trend was observed.

Keywords : Cucurbitaceae; Maize-Squash; Milpa system; In situ conservation.

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