Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed characteristics of buffalo gourd

Abstract

Eighty-five accessions of Buffalo gourd, Cucurbita foetidissima HBK., were assayed for variation in seven fruit and seed characteristics: fruit diameter (s = 65 mm); seed weight per 100 seeds (s = 3.8 g); seed weight per fruit (~ = 8.4 g); seed number per fruit (~ = 225); percentage embryo in seed (~ = 67.3%); percent crude fat of whole seed (K = 32.9%); and percent crude protein of defatted embryo (~ = 69.5%). The variation in amino acid distribution (12) accessions) and in oil composition (15 accessions) was obtained. Relationships among traits were explored. Agronomic improvement through breeding was also discussed.

Contrasting Metabolic Fingerprints and Seed Protein Profiles of Cucurbita foetidissima and C. radicans Fruits from Feral Plants Sampled in Central Mexico

“…They were also significantly heavier, having a significantly higher number of seeds per fruit, which were fleshier and coarser. Certain parameters, such as FFW, SN, W100S, LD and ED were also higher than those reported previously in fruits collected from plants sampled in the state of Arizona, USA [23,24]. On the other hand, the seeds of C. radicans fruits were significantly heavier.…”

“…This rich starch source has also been appraised for bio-fuel production or as a food supplement. The former is based on evidence showing that the root starch of C. foetidissima produced superior ethanol yields compared to corn or sorghum grains [16,17,19,[23][24][25]. The seeds, known to reach yields that approximate 3000 kg/ha [18], contain high amounts of protein and superior-quality oil similar in composition to sunflower oil [2,3,17,19,26].…”

Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae; Cucumis spp., Cucurbita spp., Citrullus spp.)

“…Variation in soluble solids, ascorbic acid, individual sugars, and the enzymes that control sugar production have received special attention, especially in C. melo (e.g., Burger et al 2004), and to a lesser extent, in C. sativus (Robinson 1987). Substantial progress has been made in the evaluation of seed composition (especially fatty acids) in Cucurbita pepo (Teppner 2004), C. foetidissima (Scheerens et al 1978), and C. colocynthis (Schafferman et al 1998). There is also interest in the roles of cucurbitacins as vertebrate toxins, insecticides, and attractants, which has led to evaluations for cucurbitacin composition and concentration (Metcalf and Rhodes 1990).…”

“…The evaluation of seed composition, especially of fatty acids, has been conducted in the domesticated oilseed forms of Cucurbita pepo (reviewed by Teppner 2004) and in both Cucurbita foetidissima (Scheerens et al 1978;De Veaux and Schultz 1985) and Citrullus colocynthis (Schafferman et al 1998) with the goal of developing them as new, arid-land perennial oilseed crops. Research to develop Citrullus colocynthis as a new crop in India has been summarized by Mal, Rana, and Joshi (1996).…”

Buffalo Gourd Seed in Broiler Starter Rations Under Different Dietary Regimens

“…The seeds contain 30 to 40% edible oil and 30 to 35% protein (Bemis et al, 1979). Linoleic acid, recognized as essential in the diet of humans and animals, is the predominant fatty acid in the oil, constituting from 50 to 69% of total oil (Scheerens et al, 1978). Addition of Buffalo gourd oil at 10% of the diet has shown that the oil does not contain 'Contribution from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, as Journal Number 640B.…”