Genetic variation among land races of Cucurbita moschata and inheritance of its fruit yield and quality

Tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchsne) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Africa. Apart from its phylogenetic relationships with other members of the genus, little information is available for this species. This study explored the amount of genetic variation in Zambia and Malawi for possible use in breeding. UPGMA cluster analysis from 3~) polymorphic and 105 monomorphic DNA fragments amplified by 16 RAPD markers showed four clusters, with genotypes from Malawi mainly clustering in three clusters while all genotypes from Zambia and three from Malawi clustered in one cluster. Six land races from this classification were mated in a daillel fashion and parents and progeny evaluated for fruit yield and quality. Variety effects were significant for the time to female anthesis and first fruit maturity, the weight of the first fruit, mean fruit weight and soluble solids. These characters could be improved by selection. Only for soluble solids were the progeny as a set different from the set of parents. Both variety and specific heterosis were significant FOR some of these traits, offering opportunities for heterosis breeding.