Anatomy of fruit of buttercup squash(Cucurbita maximaD.) surface, cuticle, and epidermis

Abstract

Abstract The surface morphology, and cuticle and outer epidermal cell wall anatomy of developing squash fruit (Cucurbita maxima Duch. hybrid ‘Delica') were examined using light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. During the period from flowering to maturity, fruit surface morphology changed from epidermal cells with raised dome‐shaped outer periclinal walls, inconspicuous smooth wax and three trichome types, to a surface with depressions and ridges encrusted with waxy deposits and devoid of trichomes. The thicknesses of both cuticle and cell wall increased to maturity. The four distinct areas of the fruit surface— green, white, rib, and ground‐spot—had similar cell wall and cuticle thickness at maturity, although cuticularisation of anticlinal walls was less developed in the ground spot area. None of the areas observed showed special features that might predispose the surface to fungal infection.