Exploring the Diversity of Tropical Pumpkin in Costa Rica

Lizzie GillSustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

and International Affairs

IROPInternational Research Opportunities Program

Background

• Commercial agriculture• Vulnerable to change BIODIVERSITY = RESISTANCE

Tropical Pumpkin (Squash)• Cucurbita (squash, pumpkin, gourd)

– Cucurbita moschata (Butternut Squash)– Ayote sazón (seasoned squash) or calabaza

• Dr. Brent Loy• Economic importance• High carotenoid and vitamin A content

Costa Rica

Question

What is the level of phenotypic and genotypic diversity of Cucurbita moschata in Costa Rica?

Map diversity of winter squash/ayote sazón and record/inventory important characteristics

The Process

The Process

• Ferias (farmers market)

The Process

Alajuela

Fabio Baudrit Moreno Agriculture Experiment Station

Phenotypic Assessment(Appearance)

• Brix sweetness• Dry matter texture• Color nutrition status• Weight yield

Accession / muestra   Fecha evaluación:Country / país Costa Rica  City / Ciudad   Fecha de compra:Location / lugar    FRUIT / COSECHA Fruit shape / forma de la fruta    Fresh weight / peso de la fruta (g)    Fruit length / largo de la fruta (cm)    Neck diameter / diámetro de cuello (cm)    Neck circumference / circunferencia de cuello (cm)    Bulb diameter / diámetro de bulbo (cm)    Bulb circumfrence / circunferencia de bulbo (cm)    Skin strength / dureza de la cáscara x4 (Kg)    Skin texture / textura de la cáscara    Skin color / color de la cáscara    Secondary skin color / color de la cáscara secundario  

  Design of secondary skin color / diseño del color secundario de la fruta    Rib form / forma de costilla    Rind thickness / grosor de cáscara (mm)    Flesh thickness / grosor de la pulpa (mm)    Seed cavity diameter / diámetro de la cavidad (cm)    % dry matter / % material seca x4    º Brix x3    Flesh color / color de la pulpa    Flesh strength / dureza de la pulpa x4  SEED / SEMILLA Total count / numero de semillas total (¼ x4)    Separation ease / facilidad de la seperacion    Weight of 100 / peso de 100 (g)    Coat texture / superficie de la semilla    Coat luster / lustre de la superficie    Coat color / color de la superficie    Length / largo (mm) x5    Width / ancho (mm) x5    Thickness / grueso (mm) x5  

Phenotypic Assessment

Genotypic Assessment(Make-up)

Observations and Outcomes

Alajuela Cartago Guanacaste Heredia Puntarenas San Jose0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Trait variation based on location

Brix% Dry matterColorMass (kg)

Location

Varia

ble

Alajuela Cartago Guanacaste Heredia Puntarenas San Jose0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

BB B

AB

B

A

Dry matter variation based on location

Location

% d

ry m

atter

Observations and Outcomes

• Leela F1• Arjuna F1

Presence of hybrid varieties

Take Away

• Diversity present– Positive:

1. Use for breeding and improved varieties

2. Preserve biodiversity– Negative:

1. Yield inconsistency and possible explanation for increase hybrid varieties

Walter Barrantes

The Experience

‘Gringa de ayote’

Thank You• Andrew Ogden• Patricia Jarema• Brent Loy• Walter Barrantes• La familia Camacho• Georgeann Murphy • Peter Akerman• Hamel Center• Donors

– Mr. Hamel– Mr. & Mrs. Noonan– Mr. Carlton W. Allen

Questions NOITQ SEU S ?