Improving the Dry Matter Content of Pumpkin Lines by Conventional Breeding

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is one of the most important vegetable crops due to its rich in healthy nutrition. This study aimed to develop F1, F2 and F3 by crossed between the low and high dry matter contents of parental plants. A total of 200 individuals of F2 attained from F1, then made selfing to develop F3 populations. Generally, the dry matter contents of F3 lines were ranged from 3.7% to 11.3% and the average value was 7.3%. Eightlines of F3 showed high dry matter potential contents and were selected including B20 (11.3%); B21 and B101 (10.5%); B1 (10.3%); B17 (10.2%); B82 (10.0%); B46 and B106 (9.8%), respectively. The results of this study have provided useful information and initial materials to further identify the traits of pumpkin quality to improve the high dry matter contents.
Keywords: Pumpkin, breeding, population, high dry matter content

Full paper: click here