Abstract
The species Cucurbita pepo includes several types of squashes; in Slovak Republic, well-known and oftenly grown squash types are patisson, zucchini, spaghetti squash, oil pumpkin etc. Several interesting squash types of Cucurbita pepo are grown abroad, including Acorn squash which is well-known mainly in USA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the important quantitative (yield per hectare, average fruit weight) and qualitative (total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids) yield parameters of Acorn squash fruits in comparison with patisson which is typical squash type of Cucurbita pepo in Slovak Republic. The field trial was realised in Košice-Šaca in 2016. Within experiment, four cultivars of Acorn type pumpkin were tested (Thelma Sanders; Jet Set; Table Gold; Cream of The Crop). The patisson 'Orfeus' was used as a comparative cultivar for evaluation of individual parameters of Acorn type pumpkin cultivars. Matured pumpkin fruits were harvested on the 7th September 2016. From aspect of yield quantity, Acorn cultivars are appeared as very interesting squash type with good yield potential for growing. The highest yield of squash fruits was found in the cultivar 'Cream of The Crop' (17.8 t.ha-1). In mentioned Acorn cultivar, the yield was higher about 87.4% compared to the tested patisson cultivar 'Orfeus' (9.5 t.ha-1). On the contrary, the average weight of squash fruits was reached in patisson cultivar 'Orfeus' (780.7 g). The qualitative parameters of fruits were expressively influenced by squash cultivar. The content of total carotenoids, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids was markedly higher in all Acorn cultivars, compared to the patisson cultivar 'Orfeus'. The highest content of total carotenoids (26.74 mg.kg-1 fresh weight) and ascorbic acid (238.79 mg.kg-1 f. w.) was found in the squash cultivar 'Table Gold'. The highest content of total soluble solids was determined in the cultivar 'Jet Set' (3.8 °Brix). On the contrary, the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH) was found in the patisson cultivar 'Orfeus' (10.80 %). On the basis of obtained results, it is possible to state that Acorn cultivars are very interesting squash type with promising yield potential for possible growing in conditions of Slovak Republic. In addition, Acorn squashes were expressed by higher content of several nutritional parameters compared to the typical squash type - patisson. Thus, these squashes could be an interesting vegetable for human nutrition.
Highlights
The genus Cucurbita is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family which includes four major species, i. e
All cultivars of Acorn squashes were characterized by markedly higher yield of fruits per hectare compared to the patisson cultivar 'Orfeus'
Ascorbic acid content (AA) The ascorbic acid content in fruits of all Acorn squash cultivars was statistically significantly higher compared to the patisson cultivar 'Orfeus'
Summary
The genus Cucurbita is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family which includes four major species, i. e. The genus Cucurbita is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family which includes four major species, i. According to FAOSTAT (2017), total world production of pumpkins, squashes and gourds was more than 25 milions tones in 2014. The production of squashes in Slovak Republic was 1480 tones in 2014. The squash production in Slovak Republic is characterized by increasing trend and its value was 3039 tones in 2015 (Meravá, 2016). The most important squash species is Cucurbita pepo which includes several known types, e. The Acorn squash is an iconic fall vegetable in the USA, known for its unique ribbed fruit shape and culinary properties. Of the diverse types of Cucurbita pepo, acorn squash is the longest-storing and it has the highest fruit quality (Wyatt et al, 2015)
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