1. Exploring the Diversity of
Tropical Pumpkin in Costa Rica

2. Background
• Commercial agriculture
• Vulnerable to changeBIODIVERSITY = RESISTANCE

3. 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

4. Costa Rica

6. 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

7. The Process

8. The Process
• Ferias (farmers market)

9. The Process
Alajuela

10. Fabio Baudrit Moreno Agriculture
Experiment Station

11. Phenotypic Assessment(Appearance)
• Brix  sweetness
• Dry matter  texture
• Color  nutrition status
• Weight  yield

12. 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

13. Genotypic Assessment(Make-up)

14. Observations and Outcomes

15. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Alajuela Cartago Guanacaste Heredia Puntarenas San Jose
Variable
Location
Trait variation based on location
Brix
% Dry matter
Color
Mass (kg)

16. B
B B
AB
B
A
0
2
4
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8
10
12
14
Alajuela Cartago Guanacaste Heredia Puntarenas San Jose
%drymatter
Location
Dry matter variation based on location

17. Observations and Outcomes
• Leela F1
• Arjuna F1
Presence of hybrid varieties

18. 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

19. The Experience
‘Gringa de ayote’

20. 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

21. Questions NOITQ SEU S ?