Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Graduate of Plant Production, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Korramabad, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Korramabad, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
 
Background and Objectives
Squash is an annual herbaceous plant and grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Europe and America. Edible species are divided into three groups of zucchini or courgette, gourd and pumpkin squash. The seed of pumpkin squash has high nutritional value due to its high protein and oil content. Iran is ranked fourth in terms of production and cultivation area of squash in the world after China, India and Russia. The present study was conducted in order to determine the most important morphological and physiological characteristics influencing yield in squash landraces from Northwest of Iran.
 
Materials and Methods
Eighteen squash landraces comprising 11 confectionery landraces, 5 gourd landraces and 2 ornamental landraces were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Saatlou research station of West Azerbaijan. The landraces were evaluated for morphological and physiological characteristics based on International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR)) descriptor.
 
Results
The results of phenotypic correlations revealed that the characteristics including number of fruit, fruit weight, 100 seed weight, fruit diameter, seed thickness, plant height, internodes length, primary branch and fruit pH and characteristics including seed weight, peduncle lengths, sepal’s length of female flower and fruit total soluble solids have positive and significant correlations with fruit yield at 1 and 5 percent probability level, respectively. In stepwise regression, four features including internodes length, sepal’s length of female flower, chlorophyll percentage and fruit pH were entered in model. The results showed that fruit pH and internodes length have the most direct and positive effect on the fruit yield, and the percentage of chlorophyll has the highest indirect effect through internodes length on the fruit yield.
 
Discussion
Sequential path analysis showed that selection of genotypes based on only correlation coefficient
may not be effective. Several characteristics were identified to explain squash yield during path analysis. Selection based on identified characters would be more effective in improving yield in squash breeding programs.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Abd Mishani, S. and Shah Nejat Boushehri, A. S. (2008). Complementary plant breeding (Vol. I). Tehran: University Press. [In Farsi]
Ahmadi, A., Ehsanzadeh P. and Jabari, F. (2009). Introduction to plant physiology (Vol. I, 3rd ed.). Tehran: University Press. [In Farsi]
Anonymous. (2011). Agricultural statistics. Tehran: Office of Statistics and Information Technology, Deputy Director of Planning and Economic, Ministry of Jahad-e-Keshavarzi. [In Farsi].
Balkaya, A., Mehtap, O. and Sait Kurtar, E. (2010). The phenotypic diversity and fruit characterization of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima L.) populations from the black sea region of Turkey. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(2), 152-162.
Barboza, N. F., Albertazzi, J., Sibaja, J. A., Mora, F., Astorga, C. and Ramirez. P. (2012). Analysis of genetic diversity of Cucurbita moschata (D.) germplasm accessions from Mesoamerica revealed by PCR SSCP and chloroplast sequence data. Scientia Horticulturae, 134, 60-71.
Bernath, J. (1993). Wild and cultivated medicinal plants. Budapest: Mezo Publication.
Daneshvar, M. H. (2006). Nurture vegetable (4th ed.). Ahvaz: Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz press. [In Farsi]
Ensminger, H. A., Kolande, E. J. and Robson, K. R. (1994). Food and Nutrition encyclopedia (Vol. II). Florida, USA: CRC Press.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2012). Statistic database. Retrieved fromhttp//www.fao.org// (accessed Jan. 2015).
Hosseini, P. (2007). Physiological investigation on the effect of cold stress in the seedling stage on different rice genotypes. Ph.D. Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Number 145. [In Farsi].
Moosavi, S. S., Abdollahi, M. R., Ghanbari, F. and Kanouni H. (2016). Detection and selection of effective traits on grain yield in chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) under normal moisture condition. Plant Productions, 39(1), 119-131. [In Farsi]
NarouiRad, M. R., AllahDo, M., Ghasemi, A. and Fanaei, H. R. (2009). Investigation of genetic diversity and broad sense heritability in watermelon accessions of sistan. Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science, 4(40), 95-103. [In Farsi]
Robinson, R. W., Zitter, T. A., Provvidenti, R. and Jahn, M. K. (2003). Breeding and evaluation of Squash and Pumpkin with multiple disease and insect resistance. Final Project Report to the NYS IPM Program, Agricultural IPM 2002-2003.
Rostampour, M. F. (2010). Statistical analysis using SAS. Tehran: Sepehr Publication. [In Farsi].
Sheikh, F. and Basi, H. (2012). Investigation on the variation of nuts Squash landraces in Golestan province. National Conference on Natural Products and Medicinal Plants, Bojnord, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences. [In Farsi]
Zahedi, F., Nabati Ahmadi, D., Mohammadi, M. and Karimizadeh, R. A. (2016). Path analysis to study morph-physiological traits, yield and traits related to yield of lentil genotypes under rain fed condition. Plant Productions, 39(2), 71-80. [In Farsi]
Zhang, M., Wang, X. F. and Cui, H. W. (1999). Genetic path analysis of early yield in cucumber. Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report, 22, 1-2.