The Possibility of Interspecific Hybridization Between Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo) and Pumpkin (C. moschata)

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Abstract

Interspecific hybridization occurs among Cucurbia species it is commonly used for grafting, yield increasing and production of pest resistant rootstocks. In the present research probability of interspecies hybrid generation among seven lines of Cucurbita pepo (P1, P4, P5, P6, P10, P22, P25) and six lines of Cucurbita moschata (MO3, MO5, MO6, MO9, MO11, MO12) were investigated. After crossing of fruit set, fruit set with normal seed and viability were recorded. 25.66% and 19.41% of total fruit set and fruit set with normal seed were recorded when C. moschata were used as female parent while 19.44% and 13.88% and 13.88% of total fruit set and fruit set with normal seed when C. pepo were used as female parent. The highest total fruit set were obtained when MO11 and MO9 were used as female parent while the highest fruit set with normal seed were obtained MO6 and MO9 were used as female parent in different interspecies crosses. Using line O5 as male parent lead ti the highest seed viability in different interspecies crosses. The highest total fruit set and fruit set normal seed were obtained when P5 were used as female parent in different interspecies crosses. Results showed that C. moschata as female parent is more successful C. pepo. However hybrid vigor and heterosis have to be tested in future.

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