Squash ( Cucurbita pepo L.) is one of the most nutritive and delicious vegetables; its origins are central Mexico, Peru, and the United States ( Kathiravan et al., 2006 ). Squash belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae and genus of Cucurbita
`Pavo', a commercially grown, virus-susceptible squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) hybrid, and two experimental virus-resistant transgenic squash hybrids, XPH-1719 and XPH-1739, were tested for field performance. The two transgenic squash hybrids possess the desired fruit and plant characteristics of their parental line, `Pavo', plus resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus and watermelon mosaic virus 2 (XPH-1719), and resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus 2, and cucumber mosaic virus (XPH-1739). Percent emergence and days to flowering were similar among the three hybrids. XPH-1719 and XPH-1739 were equally effective in producing a high percentage of quality marketable fruit and yields with 90% and 13,800 kg·ha–1 and 87% and 16,500 kg·ha–1, respectively. XPH-1719 and XPH-1739 demonstrated their outstanding virus resistance over `Pavo' by producing only 3% and 14% symptomatic plants, respectively, compared to 53% for `Pavo'. They also produced the lowest percentage of infected fruit, 0% and 7%, respectively, with `Pavo' at 26%.
Squash silverleaf (SSL) disorder is an economically important physiological disorder affecting squash ( Cucurbita pepo L.) throughout the United States, the Caribbean region, and Israel ( Cardoza et al., 1999 ). It is characterized by silvering
Winter squashes are valued for their edible and ornamental uses. They are sources of vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C, and fiber [ Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), 2005 ; U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2012
Abstract
Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars are monoecious. A phenotypically sensitive gynoecious line, NJ34, was developed through crosses of 3 monoecious inbreds and selection for increasing number of pistillate flowers in plants of several filial generations. NJ34 consists of female and predominantly-female plants under conditions favoring strong male expression. Predominantly-female plants differentiate sporadically 1–3 staminate flowers. The proportion of females is estimated at over 50% with a potential increase of up to 100% under conditions favoring strong female expression. The data show: 1) that NJ34 is later in time of flowering than its monoecious parents, 2) that its females can be converted into monoecism by spraying with an aqueous solution of 250 ppm GA3, and 3) that this line carries gene B for precocious fruit pigmentation.
Summer squash is widely grown in spring and fall seasons in southwestern Georgia. Georgia is a significant supplier of yellow (crookneck and straightneck) and zucchini squash for the United States and is typically ranked in the top three nationally
effect on crop management. Although crop pollinators in general may benefit from reductions in herbicide use and tillage operations, pollinators that use agricultural fields for nesting deserve consideration. One such pollinator is the squash bee, a major
. argyrosperma (formerly C. mixta ), and C. ficifolia . Cucurbita cultivars are categorized as summer or winter squash. Summer squash is eaten immature when tender and seeds are small and soft. Winter squash is generally eaten when rind and seeds are fully
Abstract
A need exists for the introduction of a high quality, large fruited butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir) stable for fruit shape.