DUS characterization of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) genotypes

A total of 76 pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir.) genotypes, purified and maintained as inbreds at Division of Vegetable Science, IARI were morphologically characterized for 21 different traits over two consecutive seasons (spring-summer 2013, 2014) as per DUS guidelines of PPV and FRA. Out of 21 morphological characters under study 14 were assessed visually and seven were measured. All genotypes were grouped into different categories on the basis of these morphological descriptors. With respect to fruit shape at physiological maturity all studied genotypes were observed to have either spherical (CM-350, Punjab Samrat and 25 genotypes) round flat (11 genotypes), oval/oblong oval (Pusa Vishwas and 12 genotypes), oval spherical (DPU-52, DPU-57, and DPU-75 genotypes), oblong cylindrical (DPU-26), flattish round (Kashi Harit and 14 genotypes), flattish (DPU-22, DPU-27, DPU-76), club (DPU- 35), cylindrical (DPU-58) or heart shape (DPU- 80) fruits. Most of the genotypes under study were grouped into medium category on the basis of their fruit length, fruit thickness, fruit diameter, seed length and seed width. On the basis of fruit skin colour at immature stage, genotypes were grouped into four groups i.e. dark green, medium green, light green and cream coloured with 15, 38, 21 and two genotypes in each group, respectively. With respect to fruit skin colour pattern genotypes were grouped into uniform, striped and mottled categories. Fruit flesh colour was observed either as orange, light orange, yellowish orange, cream white, dark orange, orange yellow, yellow orange with green overcast, light orange with green overcast, dark orange yellow, and dark yellow orange with greenish overcast. All studied characters can be used as grouping traits. The expression of studied characters remained consistent over two consecutive seasons indicating their uniformity. These studied genotypes can be successfully utilized as reference material for protection of other varieties under PPV and FR Act.