FLOWERING HABIT AND YIELD OF CALABAZA GENOTYPES

Abstract

The flowering habit and yield potential of seven calabaza [Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne), Poir.] genotypes were studied in the fall 1991 season. Earliest flowering and mature fruit were produced on bush plants developed from `Burpee Butterbush'. Time of flowering and distance from the crown was intermediate in time in the Florida developed varieties `La Primera' and `La Segunda' and latest in the Puerto Rican developed entries `Borinquen', Linea C Pinta, and Soler. Highest yields were produced by `La Primera' and `La Segunda', whereas, lowest yields were produced by the bush lines because of very small fruit size. Fruit size of `Borinquen' and Linea C Pinta was mostly in the desirable range of 2.3 to 4.5 kg. Most `La Primera' and `La Segunda' fruit were round, `Borinquen', Linea C Pinta, and Soler fruit were flat, and the bush lines produced variable shaped fruit. Further backcrossing to round types is required to overcome the problem of small fruit size and variable fruit shape in the bush lines.