Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed characteristics of buffalo gourd

Abstract

Abstract Eighty‐five accessions of Buffalo gourd, Cucurbita foetidissima HBK., were assayed for variation in seven fruit and seed characteristics: fruit diameter (−x = 65 mm); seed weight per 100 seeds (−x = 3.8 g); seed weight per fruit (−x = 8.4 g); seed number per fruit (−x = 225); percentage embryo in seed (−x = 67.3%); percent crude fat of whole seed (−x = 32.9%); and percent crude protein of defatted embryo (−x = 69.5%). The variation in amino acid distribution (12) accessions) and in oil composition (15 accessions) was obtained. Relationships among traits were explored. Agronomic improvement through breeding was also discussed.