Abstract
Chayote (Sechiumedule, Cucurbitaceae), a lesser-known member of the gourd family, is gaining in popularity and importance as a food crop worldwide. It is unique among cultivated cucurbits by bearing single-seeded fruits and exhibiting vivipary. Chayote, adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions, can be grown with relative ease. In addition to its fruits, it yields tender shoots for use as vegetable greens, vines as ornament for fences or as animal fodder, and edible subterranean storage roots. It is worthy of being more widely used because it has good nutritional properties and a firm delectable fruit flesh texture and can be prepared in a variety of ways for consumption.
Chayote (Sechiumedule, Cucurbitaceae) ist einer der weniger bekannten Gattungen der Cucurbitaceae, obwohl sie immer mehr populaer und wichtig weltweit als Nahrungsmittel wird. Die Pflanze ist einzigartig unter kultivierten cucurbits wegen ihrer einsamigen Früchte und ausgeschossene Samen innerhalb einer Frucht (vivipary). Chayote, der sich zu abwechselnden Klimabedingungen anpassen kaun, lässt sich leicht anbauen. Zusätzlich zu der geernten Früchten kann man die weichen Triebe als Gemüse verwenden, sowie die Rebstöcke als Hofschmuch oder als Futtermittel verwerten. Ausserdem sind die unterirdischen Wurzeln, die kohlenhydraten speichern können, sind essbar. Die kultivation der Pflanze sollte aufgrund ihrer nahrhaften Bestandteile und ihres schmackhaften Fruchtfleisches, das vielfältig zum Verbrauch zubereitet werden kann, verbreitet werden.
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Aung, L.H., Ball, A. & Kushad, M. Developmental and nutritional aspects of chayote (Sechium edule, Cucurbitaceae). Econ Bot 44, 157–164 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860483
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860483