| Author(s) | Abdullah A. Alsadon, Hegazi H. Hegazi and Ibrahim A. Almousa |
| Affiliation | Department of Plant Production, College of Agriculture, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Evaluation of Locally-Grown Pumpkin Genotypes in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 15, No 1. (2003/1423) |
| Abstract | Abstract. Local pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir.) landraces spread over a wide range of environments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and they are utilized in many local dishes and food industries. Fruits of the five common genotypes; Hasawi-1, Hasawi-2, Masri, Najdi, and Skaka were collected from different regions of the Kingdom. An evaluation trial was conducted near Riyadh in the central region where vegetative traits, yield, and yield components were studied. The evaluated genotypes showed variation for most of these traits; whereas their differences in yield appeared insignificant. Average fruit weight was the highest in Najdi and the lowest in Skaka, which had the highest seed number and seed weight. Hasawi-1, Masri and Najdi showed the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and reducing sugars content. Significant correlation coefficients among vegetative traits, yield and yield components and fruit compositions were found. The results of this study could be useful in breeding programs for improving local pumpkin cultivars under arid area conditions. Additional index words: Population, yield component, cultivars, cucurbit germplasm, vegetative growth, squash. |
