Investigations by N.I. Vavilov and his influence on the promotion of introduction, collection study and breeding of cucurbitaceous crops

Abstract

Nikolai I. Vavilov, an outstanding scientist and leader of the All-Union Institute of Plant Industry, has played a significant role in the development of studies of the global collection of cucurbitaceous crops, their introduction and practical use. Such classical treatises by Vavilov as the Field Crops of the South-East; The Law of Homologous Series in Hereditary Variation; Intergeneric Hybrids of Melons, Watermelons and Squashes ; and Selection as a Science , had a special importance for the study and use of genetic resources in breeding. Vavilov’s works have promoted the research on cucurbitaceous crops by such VIR scientists as K. I. Pangalo, N. E. Zhiteneva, M. K. Goldgausen, V. V. Arasimovich, A. I. Filov, T. B. Fursa, M. I. Malinina and the others. The comprehensive studies of the cucurbit collection have resulted in the development of taxonomy of different species, theoretical and practical bases of breeding, as well as in the identification of valuable accessions for the use in breeding. The versatile evaluation of the cucurbit collection and its use in targeted breeding programs at the Kuban Experiment Station of VIR have resulted in the creation of numerous cultivars of cucurbitaceous crops which are currently cultivated in this country.