Improved selected lines of zuccidni squash from cv. 'Eskandrani' [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Five pedigree-inbred lines of zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo ) were developed from the open pollinated population of the cv 'Eskandrani'. The pedigree selection focused on the enhanced formation of female flowers under adverse climatic conditions of late summer planting in Assiut. Field trial of the five lines showed that while a pronounced elevated sex ratio was expressed, the number of leaves per plant, main stem length and number of nodes below the first female flower were reduced compared with the original cultivar. All the five developed lines greatly surpassed cv 'Eskandrani' in the total fruit yield. As high yield as 200% and 300% were produced by these lines relative to cv 'Eskandrani' during the winter and summer seasons, respectively. Among the five lines, 12-127-219 gave the highest total yield in both summer and winter seasons. Line 130136-222 was comparable to 12-127-219 only when grown in summer. However, line 18-136-222 gave significantly lager portion of the total fruit yield that was harvested early than 12-127-219 and cv 'Eskandrani' in both seasons. It is proposed that line 12-127-219 and line 18-136-222 may be introduced for improving the intensive production of summer squash in southern regions of Egypt. Key wocds: Correlated response, Cucurbita pepo, Flower-sex, Line breeding, Selection, Sex ratio.

Summary in Arabic.

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