Comprehensive review of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.): Domestication, global distribution, genetic characterization, breeding strategies, and genomic insights

Authors

  • A.S. Dhatt Department of Vegetable Science, PAU Ludhiana -141 004, Punjab, India. Author
  • Sudhakar Pandey Horticultural Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KAB-II, Pusa, New Delhi, India. Author
  • Karamvir S Garcha Department of Vegetable Science, PAU Ludhiana -141 004, Punjab, India. Author
  • Neha Verma Department of Vegetable Science, PAU Ludhiana -141 004, Punjab, India. Author
  • Vidya Sagar ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi-221305, Uttar Pradesh, India. Author
  • Madhu Sharma Department of Vegetable Science, PAU Ludhiana -141 004, Punjab, India. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61180/vegsci.2024.v51.i2.01

Keywords:

Cucurbita, Pumpkin, Squash, Disease, QTLs and Genes.

Abstract

Cucurbits are a diverse group of plant species grown worldwide for both immature and mature fruits. The fruit is the finest source of beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals. The crop originated in South America, with Mexico having the most diversity, but it is now scattered worldwide, with Asia Minor serving as a secondary center of diversity. Cucurbita pepo and C. moschata are the two most extensively cultivated species, demonstrating tolerance to a wide range of environments. The systematic breeding process has resulted in the production of numerous significant cultivars appropriate for a variety of applications. The spontaneous mutation resulted in hull-less seeded cultivars, which allowed for the use of seeds for culinary purposes. Bush growth habit, hull-less seeded, higher beta-carotene, biotic stresses such as fungal (powdery mildew, downy mildew, root or crown rot) and viral (begomovirus and potyviruses) diseases were the primary focus of the breeding. C. okeechobeensis and C. lundelliana are wild species with the capacity to withstand a variety of diseases. The genomic sequences for the species C. moschata, C. maxima, C. pepo subsp. pepo, C. argyrosperma subsp. argyrosperma, and C. argyrosperma subsp. sororia is available for use in precision breeding. Saturated genetic maps and the identification of QTLs related to horticulturally important traits will aid in the use of genomic resources for quick improvement and cultivar development with biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.

Published

2024-12-31

Issue

Section

Review Articles

How to Cite

Dhatt, A., Pandey, S., Garcha, K. S., Verma, N., Sagar, V., & Sharma, M. (2024). Comprehensive review of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.): Domestication, global distribution, genetic characterization, breeding strategies, and genomic insights. Vegetable Science, 51(02), 196-210. https://doi.org/10.61180/vegsci.2024.v51.i2.01

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