Summary
Phenotypic variation for parameters of seed yield were examined in 57 buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima HBK.) plants cultivated as annuals. Among the 52 individuals which bore fruit, seed weight/plant was highly variable (cv=106%); the majority of plants exhibited seed yields below that of the mean (431 g/plant). Values of seed weight/plant were more highly influenced by fruit/plant (r=+0.81) than by seed weight/fruit (r=+0.19). Variation in fruit/plant % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabiGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiaacIcaceWG4b% GbaebacqGH9aqpcaaIYaGaaGimaiaaicdacaqGNbGaae4oaiaabcca% caqGJbGaaeODaiaabccacaqG9aGaaeiiaiaabodacaqG3aGaaeyjai% aabMcaaaa!454B!\[(\bar x = 56; cv = 115\% )\] was greater than that displayed for seed weight/fruit and their distribution was also highly skewed. High fruit yields were associated with the duration (in nodes) of the fruiting period (r=+0.64).
Values for seed weight/fruit were also highly divergent % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabiGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaiaacIcaceWG4b% GbaebacqGH9aqpcaaIYaGaaGimaiaaicdacaqGNbGaae4oaiaabcca% caqGJbGaaeODaiaabccacaqG9aGaaeiiaiaabodacaqG3aGaaeyjai% aabMcaaaa!454B!\[(\bar x = 200{\text{g; cv = 37\% )}}\], but considerably less variable than those for fruit/plant or seed weight/plant. A weak relationship existed between fruit/plant and seed weight/fruit (r=−0.28), suggesting the possibility of their simultaneous improvement through selection. Seed weight/fruit was positively associated with fruit size, seed/fruit and 100-seed weight; 4 carpellate fruit displayed significantly greater seed weight/fruit and seed/fruit than 3 carpellate fruit.
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Journal Paper No. 4219 of the University of Arizona Agric. Expt. Sta., Tucson, AZ 85721, U.S.A.
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Scheerens, J.C., McGriff, T.L., Ralowicz, A.E. et al. Variation in seed yield components of buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima HBK.) grown as an annual. Euphytica 40, 55–62 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023297
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023297