ISHS Acta Horticulturae 242: I International Symposium on Diversification of Vegetable Crops
CUCURBIT BREEDING FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF VEGETABLE CROPS IN NEW ZEALAND |
| Authors: | D.G. Grant, B.V. Carter |
| Abstract:
Production of cucurbits in New Zealand is based entirely upon a range of types from the species Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo and C. moschata. Prior to the 1980`s, the grey storage pumpkin cultivar Whangaparaoa Crown and related strains were the most widely grown types. Since 1980 buttercup squash has become an important export vegetable crop of New Zealand. Early breeding of cucurbits in New Zealand mainly involved the reselection of 'crown' types and later the hybridization of these types by farmers, seedsmen and Crop Research Division (CRD). Later breeding efforts included the development of grey bush types and since 1980 the major emphasis for CRD has been breeding buttercup hybrids with extended storage life. The extension of storage life of buttercup hybrids has been achieved using genetic material from the long storing Whangaparaoa Crown types. Hybrids which are currently being evaluated have improved storage, acceptable appearance, eating quality and with yields equivalent to standard buttercup cultivars. | |
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