029 Performance of Short-vined Tropical Pumpkins Derived from Temperate × Tropical Crosses

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A joint breeding effort of the Universities of Puerto Rico and Florida involves the development of short-vined tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) genotypes that are able to reach maturity earlier than traditional long-vined types. Sixteen promising hybrids and inbreds were planted in Lajas, Puerto Rico, in June 1998. Pedigrees of this material included traditional tropical genotypes crossed with bush or compact temperate genotypes. Anthesis in both pistillate and staminate flowers occurred on average 49 days after planting. However, the variability of flowering dates among genotypes was far greater for pistillate (40 to 60 days) than staminate (46 to 54 days) flowers. Hybrids flowered earlier than inbred lines. Female flowers opened before male flowers in many genotypes. It seems likely that an inadequate source of pollen contributed to the low yields of some of the earliest genotypes. The five highest-yielding genotypes had pistillate flowers that opened after their male counterparts. All plots were once-over harvested 86 days after planting. Average yield per plant varied from 1.4 to 6.0 kg. Average fruit weight varied from 0.8 to 3.1 kg. High-yielding genotypes tended to have the highest fruit weight, a factor that should be considered when breeding for the next generation of short-vined genotypes. Yields were less than what could be expected from a long-vined tropical pumpkin. However, this yield could be obtained with a once-over harvest at about 90 days, compared to multiple harvests beginning at 120 days, saving costs of additional field practices, and allowing the land to be used for other purposes.