Cucurbita Maxima Research Articles

Potentiality of Banana and Pumpkin Fruits Residues as a Cheap Source of Valuable Nutrients

Banana peel and pumpkin seeds are under-utilized by-products or wastes of the household and food processing industry but these could be rich in valuable nutritive compounds. Having a scientific database on the chemical and proximate analysis of the plants cultivated in the particular region would be helpful to the food product manufacturer, educator, researcher, public health personnel, policymaker, and population under food stress. Literature indicates that the nutritional and chemical composition of these under-utilized materials has not been characterized previously. The present study was designed to examine the nutritional, antioxidants, vitamin C, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peels and seeds flour of selected fruits. Nutritional analysis reveals that the peel flour of Musa acuminata is rich in crude fiber 14.13%, carbohydrate 60.38%, and seed flour of Cucurbita maxima is rich in protein 30.05%, fat 43.81%, dietary fiber 13.81%. BPF showed more antioxidant activity (86.8%), total phenolic and flavonoid content than PSF, which is rich in vitamin C content (9.23 mg/100gm). Industrial by-products can be processed into value-added products such as flour that is more easily stored for further uses. By-product flour can easily include in food formulations due to its excellent nutritional qualities. Optimization of its use is beneficial in terms of nutritional and economical points of view.
 Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 87-93, 2020

Nutritional Value and Antioxidant Activity of Fresh Pumpkin Flowers (Cucurbita sp.) Grown in Poland

Pumpkin flowers, in their composition, contain many bioactive ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the human body. The aim of the research was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of flowers of various species and varieties of pumpkins: Amazonka, Ambar, Atlantic Giant, Bambino (Cucurbita maxima L.), Butternut, Muscade de Provence, Rouge vif d’Etampes (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), and Miranda (Cucurbia pepo L.). The flowers came from flowering pumpkin shoots, grown in Poland (Krakow). The total polyphenols, carotenoids, total sugar contents, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid composition were determined. The content of dry matter, protein, ash, fat, and selected minerals were also determined. Pumpkin flowers of the Atlantic Giant variety were characterized by the highest content of total polyphenols and sugars and antioxidant activity. They also showed the highest percentage of n-myristic acid (C14:0) and docosanoic acid (C22:0). The energy value of fresh pumpkin flowers, of all varieties, was low and averaged 22 kcal/100 g. Fresh pumpkin flowers are a significant source of iron, covering 60–80% of the EAR standard for adults (Atlantic Giant and Bambino varieties).

Determination of heavy metal accumulation in wastewater irrigated pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) by spectroscopic method

Determination of heavy metal accumulation in wastewater irrigated pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) by spectroscopic method

Characteristics of Interspecific Hybridization and Inbred Progeny of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) and Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.)

Hybrid incompatibility and F1 hybrid dysgenesis in the interspecific hybridization between pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) and winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) have been previously noted. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain F2 generations due to F1 sterility. However, back-crossing and add-crossing can be utilized to overcome these incompatibility barriers in interspecific hybridization. To date, few studies have focused on parental selection, the back-crossing process, and offspring characteristics related to interspecific hybridization. Hence, we explored the F1 seed acquisition rate, plant characteristics, and F2 generation fertility after interspecific back-crossing and add-crossing hybridization of C. moschata and C. maxima. Moreover, as a female parent, X-1 (C. moschata) yielded F1 seeds when crossed with winter squash (C. maxima) 10-04-3, 10-37, or 10-05-2. BC1F1 seeds and plants could be obtained with winter squash (C. maxima) as the recurrent parent. Some healthy F2 seeds and plants were obtained from the interspecific hybrids, including ZJ-13, ZJ-8, and ZJ-11. Further fruit nutrition quality analysis showed that the starch, polysaccharide, cellulose, and dry material contents of ZJ-7 and ZJ-8 were significantly higher than those of the parent pumpkin and winter squash lines. The bioflavonoid content of ZJ-8 was lower than that of its parents, and its soluble protein was at the median value. Meanwhile, the bioflavonoid content of ZJ-1 was lower than that of its parents, but its soluble protein was significantly higher. These results suggest that back-crossing and multi-crossing can overcome the barriers to interspecific crossing of C. moschata × C. maxima. Some interspecific hybrid fruits had nutritional contents much higher than those of their parent lines. Additionally, X-1 (C. maxima) was found to act as a bridge species in interspecific hybridization. Collectively, in this study, the barriers to interspecific hybridization of C. moschata × C. maxima were addressed through crossing methods and choice of parents, and the obtained results are expected to provide novel support for interspecific hybrid breeding between C. moschata and C. maxima.

Comparative Analytical Profile of Benincasa hispida thumb. and Cucurbita maxima duchesne

Background: Cucurbitaceae is a family of health-promoting plants due to their compounds with beneficial effects. This is a family of about 130 genera and about 800 species. Seeds or fruit parts of some cucurbits are reported to possess many therapeutic activities. Benincasa hispida Thumb. familiarly known as Kushmanda and Cucurbita maxima Duchesne as Kashiphala are two varieties of Cucurbitaceae family. Thus, comparative analysis of both these varieties is done to evaluate the analytical profile. Aim: To evaluate the analytical profile of B. hispida and C. maxima. Materials and Methods: Fresh juice, semi-solid, dried powder of both the samples were prepared in the laboratory, and comparative analytical profiles were developed by following standard guidelines of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). Results and Conclusion: The organoleptic parameters include changes in color, taste, and odor of both samples. In physico-chemical parameters, slight changes in loss on drying, Ph, and Total solid content was mentioned. Total ash value and extractive values have found within the limit as mentioned in API. Phyto-chemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, flavonoids, and steroids in both varieties. Powder microscopy of both samples showed parenchymatous cells, xylem fibers, xylem tracheid's, epidermal cells, and starch grains which were found sparse in B. hispida and dense in C. maxima. High-performance thin-layer chromatography revealed similarity of 3,4,3 bands at 254 nm and 4,3,4 bands at 366 nm ultraviolet detection in methanolic extract, aqueous, hydro-alcoholic extract, respectively, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy study of B. hispida and C. maxima showed the presence of amines, methylene group and alcohols, phenols, and methylene group, respectively.

Genome-wide identification of CmaGH3 family genes, and expression analysis in response to cold and hormonal stresses in Cucurbita maxima

Auxin crosstalk with other plant hormones in a series of responses to environmental stresses, is a process that contributes vitally to plant growth and development. Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) family genes play an imperative role in the maintenance of hormone homeostasis and rapid response to biotic/abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, knowledge about GH3s in Cucurbita maxima has not been fully determined. In the present study, a total of 14 GH3 genes were identified and characterized, and their expression profiles were evaluated using real-time PCR. Phylogenetic tree and interspecies collinearity analyses facilitated the evolutionary relationships in C. maxima with other species and prediction of CmaGH3 genes function from genetic and genomic perspectives, respectively. After cold stress, the temporal expression of the CmaGH3 genes in two inbred strains (cold-tolerant inbred line: Cma 7, cold-susceptible inbred line: Cma 14) indicated that CmaGH3–4/6/8/10 were as potential candidate genes for cold tolerance breeding. After phytohormone treatments, CmaGH3–10 and CmaGH3–12 were obviously involved in the response of IAA, ABA and GA stresses. These results indicate that CmaGH3–10 gene may not only be involved in the resistance of pumpkin to cold stress, but also closely associated with auxin homeostasis. In addition, CmaGH3–10 contained 16 SNP sites, four of which are nonsynonymous mutation sites. The polymorphism mutations of CmaGH3–10 will be useful for genetic and breeding study in pumpkin.

Analysis of volatile compounds in flesh, peel and seed parts of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) cultivated in Ethiopia using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

ABSTRACT This study was aimed to analyze and compare the volatile compounds of flesh, peel and seed parts of the pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). The volatile compounds were extracted from three different parts of pumpkin using a hydro-distillation method. Extracts from the three different parts of pumpkin were injected into the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Mass spectral data were collected from 40–650 m/z. The volatile components were identified by matching their mass spectra with those of reference compounds recorded in the mass spectral library and retention indices. A homologous series of n-alkanes (C9–C30) were run under the same operating conditions as the volatile oils to determine the retention indices. The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of 15, 23 and 28 components in the essential oils obtained from flesh, peel and seed parts of pumpkin representing a total composition of 81.5, 84.4, and 97.7%, respectively. Out of volatile compounds that were identified, three were common to all 3 parts, six were common to flesh and peel, eight were common to peel and seed, and five were common to flesh and seed. Hydrocarbons (43.6%) and esters (26.4%) were the most abundant volatile compounds identified in the seed part of pumpkin followed by sulfur containing compounds (30.3%) in the peel, (23.7%) in the flesh and (12.7%) in seed parts of pumpkin. Terpinene compounds were also found (23.5%) in the flesh, (22.9%) in the peel and (5.02%) in the seed parts of pumpkin. The compositions of the volatile compounds vary from one part to another of the pumpkin. Some of the volatile chemicals discovered in this investigation matched with the published data from other nations. According to the findings of this study, different volatile chemicals detected in various parts of the pumpkin indicated increased medicinal and nutritional potential.

Semiochemical interaction between insect pest, Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas and host plant Cucurbita maxima

Semiochemical interaction between insect pest, Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas and host plant Cucurbita maxima

Influence of different rootstocks on quality and volatile constituents of cantaloupe and honeydew melons (Cucumis melo. L) grown in high tunnels

Two rootstock crosses of sweet melon and watermelon (Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita maxima hybrids), 'Kickstart' and 'Carnivor', grafted onto four melon cultivars (cantaloups; 'Majestic', 'Hunter', 'Honeygoal' and 'Honeyval') were evaluated for quality, phytonutrient composition and volatile compounds in the 2020 and 2021 growing season at two harvests. Grafted fruits showed higher SSC/TA ratio, and antioxidant scavenging activity. Grafted ‘Majestic/Carnivor’ and ‘Honeyval/ Carnivor’ melons significantly increased the ascorbic acid content than the controls. ‘Majestic/Carnivor’ melons showed the highest β- carotene and lutein than the controls. PLS-DA score plots discriminated the grafted cantaloupes and honeydew melons from controls based on the concentration of volatile compounds. Hexyl acetate and hexadecane respectively discriminated the grafted cantaloups and honeydew melons from ungrafted fruits. ‘Carnivor’ rootstocks showed higher expression of volatiles in the grafted cantaloupes and honeydew melons in the heat map. Panellists preferred Majestic/Carnivor’ and ‘Honeyval/ Carnivor’ melons.

PALYNOLOGY OF SOME SPECIES IN THE FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE FROM NIGERIA

Pollen morphology of ten (10) species representing nine (9) genera, two (2) varieties in the family Cucurbitaceae from Nigeria has been examined under light microscope. The pollen grains are largely monads. Exine wall ornamentation is most often reticulate in all the species of the family studied with the exception of pollens in Cucurbita maxima Duch. which are echinate, this is a diagnostic character for this species. Cell wall thickness is the least variable among all the characters studied. Almost all types of pollen shape classes have been observed within this family, namely spheroidal, subprolate, oblate-spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, suboblate and prolate, with more than one shape type occurring in a species. It is worthy of note that pollen shape and aperture type can be used to delimit Lagenaria siceraria (spatulate fruit shape) from Lagenaria siceraria (oval fruit shape). However, the shapes are the same in Citrullus lanatus (black seeds water melon) and Citrullus lanatus (brown seeds water melon). Three (3) types of apertures, porate, colpate (very occasionally) and colporate are documented for the family in this study, while seven (7) pollen types have been distinguished based on the apertures: monoporate, monocolpate, bicolporate, triporate, tricolporate, tetraporate and tetracolporate. Tricolporate pollens were observed to occur more frequently than other apertural types. Pollen grains belong to the size categories Media and Magna and only very occasionally in the Minuta category. The implication of these size categories in the reproductive success of the plants in this family is highlighted.

New analytical methods for the determination of ascorbic acid content in aqueous extracts of flesh, peel and seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

ABSTRACT. The main objective of this research was to develop a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly methods for determining ascorbic acid in flesh, peel, and seeds of pumpkin. Ascorbic acid was extracted from the different parts of the pumpkin in water. The content of ascorbic acid in three parts of the pumpkin was determined using ATR-FTIR and UV-VIS methods. The ATR-FTIR method was validated to determine ascorbic acid at 1046 cm-1, and the results indicated a linear range of 5 to 50 g/L; R2, 0.999; LOD, 1.7 g/L; LOQ, 5.2 g/L; RSD, 0.09% to 0.65%, and %recovery of 95.86%. Ascorbic acid was also determined at 265 nm by the UV-VIS method that revealed a linear range of 1 to 12 mg/L; R2, 0.999; LOD, 0.25 mg/L; LOQ, 0.75 mg/L; RSD, 0.12% to 0.43%, and %recovery of 96.96%. Accordingly any of the two newly developed methods can easily be applied for quantitative determination of ascorbic acid in pumpkin flesh, peel, and seeds. Both methods yielded higher ascorbic acid content in pumpkin seeds than in pumpkin flesh and peel. Both ATR-FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopic methods are green, low cost and rapid method. However, UV-VIS method showed higher sensitivity than the ATR-FTIR method.
 
 KEY WORDS: Pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima, Ascorbic acid, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectrophotometry
 
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(2), 277-290. 
 DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i2.3

Identity and Pathogenicity of Fungi Associated with Root, Crown, and Vascular Symptoms Related to Winter Squash Yield Decline.

Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima cultivar Golden Delicious) produced in Oregon's Willamette Valley for edible seed production has experienced significant yield losses because of a soilborne disease. The symptoms associated with this disease problem include root rot, crown rot, and vascular discoloration in the stems, leading to a severe late season wilt and plant collapse. Through field surveys, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. culmorum-like fungi, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, and Setophoma terrestris were identified to be associated with diseased tissues, and each produced symptoms of root rot, crown rot, or stem discoloration in preliminary pathogenicity trials. In this study, 219 isolates of these species were characterized by molecular identity analyses using BLAST of the internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor 1 alpha genomic regions and by pathogenicity testing in outdoor, large-container trials. Molecular identity analyses confirmed the identity of isolates at 99 to 100% similarity to reference isolates in the database. In pathogenicity experiments, F. solani produced the most severe symptoms, followed by F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, P. cucumerina, and S. terrestris. Some treatments of mixed-species inoculum produced symptom severity greater than what was expected from individual species. In particular, the mixture of F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, and P. cucumerina and the mixture of F. culmorum-like fungi, F. solani, and S. terrestris had symptom ratings as high as that of F. solani by itself. Results indicate that this soilborne disease is caused primarily by Fusarium solani, but interactions between the complex of F. solani, F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, and P. cucumerina can exacerbate disease severity.

Grafting as a tool for improved water use efficiency, physio-biochemical attributes of cucumber plants under deficit irrigation

The current study was conducted during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 under net house conditions at the Eastern Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University to investigate the effect of some cucurbit rootstocks on the growth, quality, yield and chemical compositions of cucumber under drought stress. The study included 12 treatments that were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. The main plot included two levels of water irrigation (50 or100%) and sub main plot included five rootstocks viz., 1-Bottle Gourd (Legenaria siceraria), 2-Luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca), 3-Squash (Cucurbita pepo), 4- Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and 5-Shintoza (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata), in addition, to control treatment (Cucumber, cv. Hayel, without grafting). The results indicated that drought stress treatment (50%) significantly reduced leaf area and fruit length compared with normal irrigation (100%). Also, no significant differences were noticed between the treatments of water regime (50 or 100%) on plant height, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, chlorophyll readings, fruit quality (fruit weight, fruit diameter and fruit TSS), total yield and K%. On the other hand, grafted cucumber onto luffa rootstock caused a significant decrease in plant height, fruit weight and P and K% in leaves, whereas grafting onto bottle gourd significantly increased leaf area and total yield of cucumber, as compared with control.

Optimization of Biodiesel Production Parameters from Cucurbita maxima Waste Oil Using Microwave Assisted via Box-Behnken Design Approach

The production of biodiesel from vegetables or fruits waste oils has high potential as renewable energy. The Cucurbita maxima wastes are massive source of oils, which are believed to indicate the possible sources of renewable energy whose biodiesel can be produced. Hence, the study explores the potential of the Cucurbita maxima wastes, for the production of biodiesel. In this study, the Soxhlet extraction method was used to extract Cucurbita maxima waste oil using an organic solvent. Through Box-Behnken design (BBD), the effects of methanol to oil molar ratio (6–10), catalyst concentration (2–6%), and reaction time (45–75 min) on the transesterification efficiency of methyl esters were investigated. The oil contents of Cucurbita maxima waste was found to be 44.6 ± 0.21 %. This oil was characterized, and after obtaining the pure characterized oil, biodiesel was produced using microwave assisted by the transesterification process. The optimum conversion efficiency of the Cucurbita maxima waste oil to fatty acid methyl ether was 97.76%, at the optimal parameters, methanol to oil ratio (8.4 : 1), catalyst concentration (3.14%), and reaction time (57.12 min). The results revealed that all parameters have a significant effect on the yield of biodiesel ( p < 0.0001 ). The physicochemical properties reveal that the Cucurbita maxima waste oil could be applied as a potential source of material for methyl ester production. The fatty acid profile of the oil indicated that it was mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acid, which ensures good flow properties of the fuel. The results of these studies showed the prospective of Cucurbita maxima wastes as a new potential feedstock for biodiesel production.

Micrographic View of Graft Union Formation Between Watermelon Scion and Squash Rootstock.

Grafting has become a common practice for watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai] production in many parts of the world, due to its efficacy against biotic and abiotic stressors. However, grafting success for watermelon is challenging in part due to the complex anatomy of the cucurbit vascular system. The survival of grafted transplants depends on compatibility between the scion and rootstock, which in turn depends on anatomical, physiological, and genetic variables. A better understanding of cucurbit anatomy and graft union formation would inform grafting approaches and transplant management. An anatomical study was conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 11 and 25 days after grafting (DAG) with seedless watermelon cultivar ‘Secretariat’ grafted onto compatible rootstock cultivars ‘Pelop’ (Lagenaria siceraria) and ‘Tetsukabuto’ (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata) in comparison to non-grafted watermelon and rootstock seedlings. At 11 DAG, the parenchymatic cells of the central pith of grafted plants were dead and a necrotic layer was observed, representing the beginning of callus formation. New xylem strands were formed in the vascular system, connecting the rootstock with the scion. At 25 DAG, fully developed vascular bundles at the graft interface were observed with both scion-rootstock combinations. Although more studies are necessary to characterize the sequence of physiological events after grafting in Cucurbit species, this is one of the first studies to describe the complex anatomical changes that occur during watermelon graft healing.

Green Synthesis and Antibacterial Activities of Silver Nano particles Mediated by Extract of Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin) Fruit Pith

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a necessary field of applied science. Biological method for synthesis of AgNPs by cucurbita maxima fruit pith extracts was used. The AgNPs were identified by UV–visible spectrometry; X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The presence of surface plasmon band around 420 nm indicates AgNPs formation. Parameter optimization showed the smallest size of AgNPs (2.86 ± 0.3 nm) was obtained with 0.1 M AgNO3 at 40oC. The present study provides the proof that the molecules within aqueous cucurbita maxima fruit pith extracts facilitate synthesis of AgNPs and highlight on value-added from cucurbita maxima fruit pith and fruit peel extracts for cost effectiveness. Also, eco-friendly medical and nanotechnologybased industries could also be provided. Size of prepared AgNPs could be controlled by temperature and AgNO3 concentration. Further studies are required to study effect of more parameters on size and morphology of AgNPs as this will help in the control of large scale production of biogenic AgNPs. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are screened antibacterial activities

In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Potential Medicinal Plant Extracts Against Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses.

Dengue and chikungunya are two important mosquito-borne infections which are known to occur extensively in tropical and subtropical areas. Presently, there is no treatment for these viral diseases. In vitro antiviral screening of 25 extracts prepared from the plants of Vitex negundo, Plumeria alba, Ancistrocladus heyneanus, Bacopa monnieri, Anacardium occidentale, Cucurbita maxima, Simarouba glauca, and Embelia ribes using different solvents and four purified compounds (anacardic acid, chloroquinone, glaucarubinone, and methyl gallate) were carried out for their anti-dengue virus (DENV) and anti-chikungunya virus (CHIKV) activities. Maximum nontoxic concentrations of the chloroform, methanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and hydroalcoholic extracts of eight plants were used. The antiviral activity was assessed by focus-forming unit assay, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays. Extracts from Plumeria alba, Ancistrocladus heyneanus, Bacopa monnieri, and Cucurbita maxima showed both anti-DENV and CHIKV activity while extract from Vitex negundo showed only anti-DENV activity. Among the purified compounds, anacardic acid, chloroquinone and methyl gallate showed anti-dengue activity while only methyl gallate had anti-chikungunya activity. The present study had identified the plant extracts with anti-dengue and anti-chikungunya activities, and these extracts can be further characterized for finding effective phytopharmaceutical drugs against dengue and chikungunya.

A STUDY ON THE EVALUATION OF PROXIMATE, FATTY ACID AND AMINO ACID PROFILE OF TWO SPECIES OF PUMPKIN USING ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita pepo are two popular species of pumpkin being consumed in India. The C. maxima seed is reported to have medicinal and pharmacological value such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial activity. Nutritional composition of pulp, peel and seed of two species of pumpkin C. maxima and C. pepo were analysed. Carbohydrate (20.670.48%), protein (21.220.50%), fat (23.580.72%), fibre (52.380.61%), and energy content (311.550.56 Kcal/100g) were all present in large amounts in the C. maxima seed when compared to the seed of C. pepo species, the seed contains carbohydrate (02.620.01%), protein (20.480.61%), fat (17.850.55%), fibre (46.650.84%), and energy (229.580.75 Kcal/100g), respectively. The peel, pulp and seed of C. maxima had high total sugar and reducing sugar content. Vitamin C was found in the seed and pulp of C. maxima whereas in case of C. pepo it was present only in the pulp. The pulp and peel of C. maxima had significant amount of minerals such as Ca, Fe, Mn, Na, K, Cu, while Zn, Mg, K and P were found in the seed of C. maxima compared to C. pepo. The seed of C. maxima was higher in unsaturated fatty acid while saturated fatty acids were abundant in the seed of C. pepo seed. Essential amino acid profile of C. maxima was higher than C. pepo. Nutritional profile of C. maxima was found to be superior as compared to C. pepo.

Impact of the “Farming With Alternative Pollinators” Approach on Crop Pollinator Pollen Diet

Pollinators are facing declines at a global level. One of the main factors driving this decline is insufficient access to floral resources due to habitat loss and degradation that can affect both diet generalist species as well as those with more restricted floral preferences. Here we evaluated the effect of a novel mitigation strategy in agricultural ecosystems, Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) on the pollen diet of crop pollinators. The approach dedicates 25% of the cropped area to Marketable Habitat Enhancement Plants (MHEP) that attract pollinators, natural enemies of the crops, and provide farmers with income. We assessed the effect of the approach on pollen diet of faba bean (Vicia faba) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) flower visitors in four different regions in Morocco during 2018 and 2019 by comparing control fields (monoculture) and FAP fields in 13 trials and 101 sites. Results from 25 wild bee species show that almost two-thirds of the species carrying or collecting pollen when visiting pumpkin flowers and half of the species carrying or collecting pollen when visiting faba bean flowers gathered this pollen from two or more host plants (i.e., MHEP, main crop, and/or wild plants) and displayed a wide dietary breadth. Pollen grains from the main crops were poorly represented on the female scopae, indicating that crops were mainly visited for nectar. Hence, crop flower visitors may require alternative pollen sources to meet their nutritional needs. The number of pollen genera collected by flower visitors and the dietary breadth of crop flower visitors did not show a significant increase in response to FAP management. Among the selected MHEP, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was the pollen resource for pumpkin flower visitors. In faba bean, flower visitors collected pollen from coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and canola (Brassica napus). Our study sheds light on the importance of characterizing the pollen diet and the foraging behavior of crop pollinators to identify appropriate plant species that complement their food, maintain and conserve their populations.

Synergistic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and poultry manure to significantly increase proximal structure and physiological parameters of Cucurbita maxima and Telfairia occidentalis under soil salinity

This research was carried out to assess the potential impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) complex (Glomus geosporum and Rhizophagus irregularis) synergy with poultry manure (PM) on the survival of Cucurbita maxima and Telfairia occidentalis grown under salt stress conditions. This experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with all treatments replicated thrice for both test plants. Analysis of the saline and garden soils used in this study revealed significant (P ≤ 0.05) variations in their soil physico-chemical parameters. Increase in parameters such as pH (7.75 for saline soil; 6.78 for garden soil), EC (SS 7.80 dS.m.-1; GS 0.32) and Ex Na+ (SS 8.81 cmol.kg-1; GS 0.4181 cmol.kg-1) was observed in the saline soil while there was a decrease in organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus in saline soil. Proximate analysis of C. maxima and T. occidentalis leaves revealed that fiber, carbohydrate, and caloric value were slightly reduced in saline soil treatments while ash, protein and lipids contents were slightly increased. AMF inoculation and PM application had significant effect on proximate composition of these plant leaves but caloric value which was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in non-saline soil treatments. Physiological parameters such as leaf turgid weight (LTW), leaf relative water content (LRWC), vigor index (VI), and salt tolerance index (STI) were significantly reduced by salinity, while electrolyte leakage (EL) was higher in saline soil treatments than non-saline soil treatments. However, inoculation with AMF in combination with PM amendment significantly increased LTW, LRWC, VI, and STI in both saline and non-saline soil treatments above single treatment with mycorrhizal species and poultry manure. However, EL reduced with mycorrhizal inoculation. The results of this work have shown that AMF and PM can enhance plants ability to tolerate salinity possibly through some morphological and physiological changes which improved water and nutrients uptake.