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Silicon deposition in leaf trichome of six horticultural Cucurbitaceae species, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), melon (Cucumis melo), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida) was observed by an X-ray microanalyzer coupled with an environmental scanning electron microscope. The elements that presented in the surface of three or four leaves of the individual species were detected and mapped by the X-ray microanalyzer. In leaves of cucumber, pumpkin, and melon, high accumulation of silicon was detected in cells surrounding the bases of the trichome hair and the hair itself deposited calcium. On the other hand, in sponge gourd and bottle gourd, high accumulation of silicon was detected only in the hair. In watermelon leaves, silicon deposited both in the hair and in cells surrounding the bases of the hair. Thus, horticultural Cucurbitaceae plants have interspecific variation in the pattern of silicon deposition in leaf trichomes.

Line × Tester analysis involving three lines and four testers was carried out in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb.) L.]. Significant variation was noticed in the mean performance of the parents and hybrids for all the characters studied except for vine length and fruit girth. The results from GCA and SCA variance indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the traits except fruit girth. Significant heterosis of 177.78% over standard check, Arka Sumeet for fruit weight per plant was expressed by the cross GARG-1 × CO-1. The best general combiners were GARG-1 and Pusa Nutan among the lines, and Jaipur long and CO-1 among testers. Best specific combining ability effects for fruit length and yield (t/ ha) were recorded by the crosses Pusa Nasdar × Arka Sumeet and GARG-1 × CO-1.

Cucurbitaceae family contains important economic and medical crops, they can be divided into two categories according to the worldwide consumption, use, and production. The Cucurbit Popular Crops (CuPoC) are comprised of cucumber, the Cucurbita group (pumpkin and squash), melon and watermelon. On the other hand, Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species (NUCuS) group has been used as food sources, medicinal properties and elements in the elaboration of different types of items. The NUCuS is represented in this review work by bitter gourd, bottle gourd, chayote, ridge gourd, and snake gourd, which are recognized mainly in Asia. The center of origin of the majority of NUCuS was proposed to be in the Old World. In contrast, the origin of chayote or Sechiumedule (Jacq.) Sw. was suggested in the New World, precisely in Mesoamerican region based on linguistic uses and distribution of wild relatives. The environmental factors along with artificial selection, production systems and traditional knowledge have been influenced the evolutionary history of NUCuS, Infraspecific variation of chayote has been reported in Mexico over-described varietal groups. These descriptors were determined based on biochemical and morpho-structural traits; however, cytogenetic analyses are scarce. Specifically, chromosome and nuclear content analyses are important to support botanical groups, analyze artificial selection history, developing breeding and conservation programs. The present review paper discusses agronomic and evolutionary importance based on cytological evidence in NUCuS, mainly in the prominent chayote; with the perspective to prompt breeding, conservation, cytology, structural and functional genomics research for its sustainable utilization.

Winter vegetable production has increased tremendously in Bangladesh. Excessive supply of vegetables reduces the market price that leads to economic loss at farm level. This study assesses the growth and trend of winter vegetables production, yield and area in Bangladesh. Semi-log regression model was used to assess the growth and trend of winter vegetables while Winston Prais transformation was utilized to solve the autocorrelation problem. Yearly time series data of collected from secondary sources was used for this analysis. Data were collected from 1986–87 to 2015–16 years. Data of some major winter vegetables like tomato, rabi brinjal, rabi pumpkin, water gourd, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, bean, green spinach were collected for this study. Results found that growth of tomato, cauliflower and cabbage production was about 5% which was much higher than other winter vegetables. Growth of cultivated area is about 3% per annum for most of the vegetables. Production of winter vegetables increases because of yield and area growth. Government can attempt to increase export of tomato, cauliflower and cabbage. Moreover, yield growth of green spinach and radish is necessary to increase both production and export. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 492–502, December 2018

Hydrogen gas sensing were investigated using nano-bitter gourd like structured CuO material synthesized via a chemical route. Morphology of CuO was revealed using FE-SEM and TEM image analysis. CuO phase confirmation and molecular structural fingerprint were verified by XRD and Raman analysis respectively. Elemental composition and atomic states of elements were investigated by EDS and XPS techniques respectively. A remarkable high gas response of 175% was recorded by CuO sensor towards 100 ppm hydrogen (H2) at the operating temperature 200 °C with response time 150 s. The lowest detection of H2 was observed at 2 ppm concentration with the gas response of 5%. The gas response was studied as functions of different operating temperatures and concentrations. Transient gas response and stability were also confirmed for CuO sensor. Hydrogen sensing mechanism of CuO sensor was elucidated.

Background: South Korea, home of the soybean, features diverse traditional fermented soy products. Jipjang (汁醬) is made by mixing autumn vegetables in meju powder prepared by boiling and fermenting soybeans and wheat with saccharified water. Jipjang has been documented since the early Joseon period, but its traditional path has been severed, becoming a local specialty in some southern regions and altered into other forms of jang. However, some jongka (宗家, traditional Korean family) continue to pass down jipjang recipes via the jongbu (the head daughter-in-law). Method: We conducted in-depth interviews with the jongbu of six jongkas in the Kyeongsang and Chonla provinces to investigate their jipjang recipes. Results: The Kalam, Hakbong, and Dongkye Jongka made their own meju powder by hand before mixing with hard-steamed glutinous rice or glutinous rice glue and pickled vegetables. The Nosongjeong Jongka used commercial meju mixed with glutinous rice glue, wheat yeast, eggplant, chives, and gourd. The Chunwujae Jongka mixed hard-steamed glutinous rice in meju with thin jocheong made by boiling yeotkireum water and 10 other ingredients. The Cheongjaekongpa Jongka mixed commercial meju with vegetables but used a modernized recipe. Conclusion: Although kanjang, doenjang, and gochujang require months to ferment and ripen, thereby taking longer from production to sale; using an electric rice cooker can enable jipjang to be made within a week. Hence, with the development of improved pickling technology, jipjang is predicted to become more economically feasible than other jang products. We will continue to identify Korean traditional fermented foods made in jongka and systematize their recipes. Keywords: Fermentation, Jipjang, Jongka, Korean foodways, Soybeans, Traditional food

Masyaura, an ethnic, fermented and dried, cone shaped, black or green gram product, is prepared by Nepalese people living in the Himalayas. Masyaura is especially prepared from split black gram (Phaseolus mungo) and Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta) or radish and ash gourd depending upon the availability of raw materials. The taste and texture are the fundamental characteristics of Masyaura. Breakage or loss of integrity after drying, during handling, packing and cooking are observed as a common problems of Masyaura. In this study, effect of addition of mashed potato on physiochemical and sensory quality of Masyaura was studied. Masyaura prepared by using black gram and colocasia tuber in the ratio 2:1 with fermentation time of 2 h was taken as control. Black gram was partially replaced by different proportion of mashed potato (6.25, 12.5, 18.75 and 25 parts by weight) to study the effect on physiochemical and sensory quality of Masyaura. Rehydration ratio, bulk density and disintegration time of Masyaura varied from 2.60:1 to 3.45:1, 510 to 654 kg/m3 and 35.75 to 45.91 min respectively. Masyaura prepared by incorporating mashed potato had higher bulk density, longer disintegration time and lower rehydration ratio compared to control. Sensory evaluation showed that 18.75 parts mashed potato incorporated Masyaura had the best sensory quality of all the proportions studied. Incorporation of mashed potato in partial replacement of black gram could significantly improve the textural property of Masyaura.

Beekeeping is one of the promising enterprises for economically poor farmers in Nepal but beekeeping farmers lack flora calendar for pollination, bee foraging, and honey production. Therefore, a study was conducted visiting farmers’ fields every 15-20 days during 2012-2013 to monitor the common plant species visited by bees, which were considered as bee forage plants categorized as major, and minor sources of pollen and/or nectar. Relevant information was also gathered through key informant interviews and group discussions. During the study period a total of 252 plant species were recorded and their floral calendar prepared. In the study area. The main species identified were: rice, Oryza sativa L.; maize, Zea mays L.; buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.; rapeseed, Brassica campestris L.; sesame, Sesamum orientale L.; litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonner; and cucurbits (bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl; sponge gourd, Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.; bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L.), Leucas (gumpate), Leucas lanata Benth.; Butternut (chiuri), Bassia butyracea Roxb.; Pogostemon (rudilo), Pogostemon glaber Benth.; guava, Pisum sativum L; Sisoo, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.; Throughwort (Banmara), Eupatorium sp.; silk tree (Padke), Albizia julibrissin Durazz ; Terminalia (Saj) Terminalia bellirica (Geartn.) Roxb. and Murraya (kadipatta) Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. Species of Brassica, Pogestemon, Bassia, Citrus, and Artemisia, Pisum, Ipomoea and Eupatorium species were some of the important plants which bloomed during winter. And, Lagerstroemia sp., Impatiens sp, Sesamum indicum L., Zea mays L., Albizia sp. and many cucurbits bloomed during rainy season. Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Brassica campestral L, Lagerstroemia indica L, Bombax ceiba L, Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Eugenia formosa Wall., Shorea robusta, Guartn. Upatorium grandulosum, Pogostemon glaber Benth. Terminalia alata Heyne ex.Roth, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng Sesamum orientale L. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. were the major bee flora both rich in nectar and pollen.

Round gourd (Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks) Pangalo), generally familiar as Indian round gourd, apple gourd and Indian baby pumpkin, is a squash type cucurbit, cultivated for its immature fruit, a vegetable notably trendy in South Asia. This rare squash type gourd is native to India. For carrying out this research, 25 round gourd accessions were obtained from National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan, for estimation of their morphological variations on the basis of different vegetative and reproductive attributes. Multivariate analysis of variance (Principal component analysis and Cluster analysis) was performed for grouping round gourd accessions on the basis of similarities in morphological parameters of leaves, vine, flowers and fruits using XLSTAT (2017). One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was practiced for statistical analysis and significant variations between means were recorded by Duncan’s multiple range (DMR) test at P

Biochemical changes in Ridge gourd varieties inoculated with root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita were investigated. Observations were recorded on biochemical modifications relating to various parameters like chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll, total sugar and starch and total protein content during post infection periods. The variation in chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll, total protein, total sugar and starch content in five cultivars, i.e. Priya, BSS-1009, Aneeta, Aarti and Harsha were studied 30 days after inoculation. Reduced percentage of chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll contents were observed in inoculated samples than the healthy counterparts. However, an increase in amount of total sugar, starch and total protein contents was observed in the diseased tissues.

INTRODUCTION Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb, commonly known as ridge gourd (cucurbitaceae), is a common vegetable cultivated in India. It is also a well-used medicinal plant in Indian traditional medicine. OBJECTIVES To analyse the phenolics content of the most potent carbonic anhydrase-inhibiting fraction from an extract of L. acutangula. MATERIALS AND METHODS An aqueous ethanol extract of dried fruits of L. acutangula was successively fractionated into petroleum ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The extract and subsequent fractions were assessed for carbonic anhydrase-inhibitory activity and the enzyme inhibition kinetics were determined for the most active fraction. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract and subsequent fractions were determined spectrophotometrically. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) analysis was used to tentatively identify the major phenolics in the most active fraction. RESULTS The concentration of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extract and each fraction thereof correlated with the level of carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity. The ethyl acetate fraction of the aqueous ethanol extract of L. acutangula had the highest carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity. The enzyme kinetics analysis indicated a mixed mode of inhibition. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction indicated a number of phenolic acids, hydroxycoumarins, flavones, flavanones, and flavonoids. CONCLUSION The correlation of total phenolic content with carbonic anhydrase inhibition suggested further research that might confirm that phenolic compounds of L. acutangula offer potential therapeutic benefits against carbonic anhydrase-related disorders.

Immature sponge gourd fruit is consumed as a vegetable with a limited shelf life. Although cold storage is a simple and powerful tool for maintaining postharvest fruit quality, storage at a low temperature may not be appropriate for vegetables as some chilling injury (CI) of the immature sponge gourd fruit may occur. Therefore, this research aimed to elucidate the relationship between CI, oxidative stress, and the antioxidative defense mechanisms in the exocarp and mesocarp of immature sponge gourd fruit. After storage at 5°C for 6 days, visual CI symptoms, including browning and surface pitting, were found in the peel (exocarp) but not in the mesocarp. There were, however, more dead cells (stained by Evans blue) in the mesocarp of the fruit stored at 5°C. There was a more considerable increase in the electrolyte leakage rate in both fruit tissues held at 5°C than 25°C. The CI was correlated with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the tissues. The MDA of fruit exocarp at 5°C was 1.6 fold higher than that at 25°C on day 6, while the lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in mesocarp was 50% higher in fruit stored at a lower temperature. The action of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was high in the exocarp of the fruit stored at 5°C, but there appeared to be a continuous depletion of the co-substrate or ascorbic acid. In conclusion, the CI in the exocarp was mainly associated with a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, the CI in the mesocarp appeared to be primarily associated with increased lipid peroxidation by the elevated LOX activity under cold stress compared to storage at 25°C.

As an excellent representative of traditional handicrafts in West Shandong, Dongchang carving gourd brings together economy and culture. It is not only one of the important sources of rural social and economic income under the background of traditional farming, but also carries the essence of local culture. In 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic suddenly emerged, which seriously affected the foreign sales and cultural activities of Liaocheng's traditional handicraft and Dongchang carved gourd. Based on this, this paper, from the perspective of anthropology, focuses on the transformation of the local social structure and cognitive mode during the epidemic period, and on the theoretical basis of Bourdieu's tourism reproduction theory, expounds the exploration and practice of its reproduction. Finally, combining with the current situation of the development demands of traditional handicraft during the epidemic period, the significance of its reproduction is discussed, so that it can be continuously innovated, inherited and developed as a folk handicraft.

Cellulose, oxidized-fibers, and oxidized-nanocellulose were isolated from sponge-gourd fibers (Luffa cylindrica). Isolated materials showed different morphology (shape and size), chemical, crystalline properties, and removal efficiency against methylene blue (MB) and lead ions (Pb2+). The cellulosic materials showed high efficiency in removing MB more than Pb2+. So, different luffa forms/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites were prepared and used as adsorbents for removal of both MB and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. The effect of sorbent type, contact time, and initial MB and Pb2+ concentrations were studied. HAp was successfully synthesized on the surface of luffa with an average length of 40–56 nm and width of 14–19 nm. Kinetic and adsorption studies of MB and Pb2+ ions were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB was 25.2 mg/g, 30.8 mg/g, and 36.2 mg/g for oxidized-fibers/HAp, oxidized-fibers, and cellulose, respectively, and for Pb2+ was 625 mg/g, 714 mg/g, and 714.5 mg/g for oxidized-fibers/HAp, oxidized-nanocellulose/HAp, and cellulose/HAp, respectively. Also, more than 85% of MB (25 mg/L) and 95% of lead (500 mg/L) were removed within the first 5 min. Oxidize-fibers/HAp composite showed effective adsorption with both MB and Pb2+ in a very short time.

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, involved in key biological functions in plants and humans. Rootstocks have a major impact on citrulline accumulation in grafted watermelon. Information regarding rootstock induced changes in citrulline metabolism is elusive. To understand the regulatory mechanism, parallel changes in the expression profiles of citrulline metabolic genes and citrulline content of watermelon were monitored during the development of self-rooted watermelon and watermelon grafted onto pumpkin, wild and bottle gourd rootstocks. Results demonstrated that rootstocks regulated the expression profiles in different ways to influence the citrulline content. GAT, NAGPR, ASS3 ASS2 and Asl2 showed the negative correlation with citrulline content in pumpkin grafted watermelon. Pumpkin rootstock promoted the citrulline content by high down-regulation and synergistic effect of ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 and ASl2 genes. In wild grafted watermelon, citrulline was accumulated as a result of down regulation of GAT, NAGS and ASL2 genes, which showed an inverse correlation with citrulline. In gourd grafted watermelon, changes in citrulline content were observed to be linked with lower expressions of GAT, NAGK, ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 and ARG which were negatively correlated with citrulline content. Our study will provide the basis to understand the molecular mechanism of citrulline accumulation in various rootstocks. Resumo A citrulina é um aminoácido não essencial, envolvida em importantes funções biológicas de plantas e seres humanos. Os porta-enxertos têm um grande impacto no acúmulo de citrulina na melancia enxertada. Informações sobre alterações induzidas por porta-enxertos no metabolismo da citrulina ainda não foram descritas. Para entender o mecanismo regulatório, foram monitoradas mudanças paralelas nos perfis de expressão dos genes metabólicos de citrulina e no teor de citrulina da melancia durante o desenvolvimento da melancia e da melancia enxertada em porta-enxertos de abóbora, silvestre e cabaça. Os resultados demonstraram que o porta-enxerto regulou os perfis de expressão de diferentes maneiras para influenciar no conteúdo de citrulina. GAT, NAGPR, ASS3, ASS2 e ASL2 apresentaram correlação negativa com o teor de citrulina em melancia enxertada de abóbora. O porta-enxerto de abóbora promoveu o conteúdo de citrulina por meio de baixa regulação e efeito sinérgico de duas famílias de genes ASS e ASL. Na melancia enxertada, a acumulação de citrulina resultou na regulação negativa de GAT, NAGS e ASL2, que mostraram uma correlação inversa com a citrulina. Na melancia enxertada, observou-se que as alterações no conteúdo de citrulina foram associadas a menores expressões de GAT, NAGK, ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 e ARG, que foram negativamente correlacionadas com o conteúdo de citrulina. Esses resultados fornecem a base para identificar o mecanismo molecular do acúmulo de citrulina em vários porta-enxertos.

Chayote (Sechium edule) is an agricultural crop in the Cucurbitaceae family that is rich in bioactive components. To enhance genetic research on chayote, we used Nanopore third-generation sequencing combined with Hi–C data to assemble a draft chayote genome. A chromosome-level assembly anchored on 14 chromosomes (N50 contig and scaffold sizes of 8.40 and 46.56 Mb, respectively) estimated the genome size as 606.42 Mb, which is large for the Cucurbitaceae, with 65.94% (401.08 Mb) of the genome comprising repetitive sequences; 28,237 protein-coding genes were predicted. Comparative genome analysis indicated that chayote and snake gourd diverged from sponge gourd and that a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event occurred in chayote at 25 ± 4 Mya. Transcriptional and metabolic analysis revealed genes involved in fruit texture, pigment, flavor, flavonoids, antioxidants, and plant hormones during chayote fruit development. The analysis of the genome, transcriptome, and metabolome provides insights into chayote evolution and lays the groundwork for future research on fruit and tuber development and genetic improvements in chayote.

Background: Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida Cong., 2n=2x=24) is one of the most important winter vegetables of the Cucurbitaceae family. There are only limited markers available for this crop and the draft genome of wax gourd provides a powerful tool for SSR marker development.Results: In this study, we developed genome-wide SSR markers from wax gourd genome and characterized their distribution and frequency of different motifs and repeats. A total of 52,431 microsatellites from wax gourd genome were identified, of which 39,319 SSR markers were developed. 1,152 non-wax gourd SSR markers were selected from cucumber, melon, watermelon and pumpkin to test their transferability in wax gourd. 580 SSR markers could be transferable in wax gourd, and 42 of them were detected with polymorphic in 11 tested accessions of wax gourd. In addition, 11 good polymorphic transferrable SSR markers and 21 SSR markers of wax gourd were selected to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 129 wax gourd accessions. 112 alleles were detected by these 32 SSR markers. The result of population structure showed that the 129 wax gourd accessions were divided into two main populations, and the genetic diversity analysis separated them into two clusters. Conclusions: The large number of wax gourd SSR markers developed in this study provides a valuable resource for genetic linkage map construction, molecular mapping, and marker-assisted selection (MAS) in wax gourd.

Sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir) is an annual crop with an open-pollinated sexual reproductive system via cross-pollination and can easily be grown year-round. The reproductive system, mode of pollination and large monoecious flowers are extensively used for conventional breeding in sweet gourd and involves pedigree selection and hybrid breeding. Distant crossing between domesticated and wild species gives some success to overcome hybrid sterility and transfer of resistance genes by using different breeding tools. The advanced lines from distant hybridization may be useful in diverse cucurbit breeding programs. Backcrossing using non elite and wild germplasm donors is an effective strategy for a single trait transfer such as specific disease resistance or bush growth habit into a cultivar. It can also be bred into commercial lines via transgenesis. Application of biotechnological tools and molecular breeding may help sweet gourd breeders to improve yield, disease and pest resistance as well as nutritional quality. This chapter provides an overview of the importance of sweet gourd and its breeding strategies for the development of high yielding and nutritionally rich varieties using conventional and frontier breeding tools.

This study explored a germplasm collection consisting of 112 Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd) accessions, mainly from Thailand. A total of 2834 SNPs were used to establish population structure and underlying genetic diversity while exploring the fruit characteristics together with genetic information which would help in the selection of parental lines for a breeding program. The study found that the average polymorphism information content value of 0.288 which indicates a moderate genetic diversity for this L. acutangula germplasm. STRUCTURE analysis (ΔK at K = 6) allowed us to group the accessions into six subpopulations that corresponded well with the unrooted phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analyses. When plotted, the STRUCTURE bars to the area of collection, we observed an admixed genotype from surrounding accessions and a geneflow confirmed by the value of FST = 0.137. AMOVA based on STRUCTURE clustering showed a low 12.83% variation between subpopulations that correspond well with the negative inbreeding coefficient value (FIS = − 0.092) and low total fixation index (FIT = 0.057). There were distinguishing fruit shapes and length characteristics in specific accessions for each subpopulation. The genetic diversity and different fruit shapes in the L. acutangula germplasm could benefit the ridge gourd breeding programs to meet the demands and needs of consumers, farmers, and vegetable exporters such as increasing the yield of fruit by the fruit width but not by the fruit length to solve the problem of fruit breakage during exportation.

The proximate composition of Luffa Acutangula (sponge gourd) fruit collected from a dumpsite at Akpan Andem Market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was investigated. The parameters investigated were determined using standard biochemical methods. The proximate analysis of the leaves revealed that Luffa Acutangula (sponge gourd) is a poor source of protein (0.90) and lipid (0.30) but has very high carbohydrate content (68.20%), lignin (14.70%), hemicelluloses (15.80%) and cellulose (37.70%); moderate moisture (9.30%) and ash (10.40%). Results show that the plant can withstand moisture and will not deteriorate easily if used for food processing.

Vegetables are the main constituents of human eating regimen as they are the main wellspring of supplements, nutrients and minerals. They are additionally honorable gainful to the rancher as they obtain more expensive rate in the market. Under varying climatic conditions crop disappointments, absence of production, decline in quality and expanding insect nuisance and infection issues are normal and they lessen the vegetable development unbeneficial. As a few physiological procedures and enzymatic exercises are temperature dependent, they will be for the most part affected. Dry season (drought) is the significant worry of increment in temperature breaking down vegetable development. Cucurbits are eaten in numerous methods i.e., salad purpose (long melon, cucumber, gherkins), making sweets (pointed gourd, wax gourd, bottle gourd), for pickle making (gherkins), and for deserts (melons). Most of the cucurbits are perishable and very sensitive to unpredictable climatic changes. Environmental stresses like increasing (high) temperature, reduced moisture content (drought) are thought to be the major limiting factors in enhancing Cucurbitaceous vegetables productivity. Rate of reproductive development can be enhanced by high temperature and high temperature shortens the time for photosynthesis to give to fruit production. Both cucumber and bitter gourd are warm season crops and they cannot bear severe chilling and freezing temperatures. Short day length and higher humidity promotes pistillate flowers in most of the cucurbits. The most favorable temperature for cucumber and bitter gourd is 18–24 °C and 24–27 °C respectively. Ridge gourd and bottle gourd requires extensive and tropical warm climate with preference to humid warm weather. Optimum temperature for cultivation of ridge gourd and bottle gourd is 24–37 °C and 25–30 °C respectively. High humidity is favourable for growth the growth of ash gourd and snake gourd. Ash gourd and snake gourd can be cultivated in both sub-tropical and tropical climates with the optimum temperature of 24–30 °C. Water melon and musk melon are also very sensitive to cold and frost. Higher temperatures at ripening or maturity stage will produce worthy and superior quality fruits in water melon. In muskmelon, for proper ripening and high sugar content low humidity, high temperature, plenty of sun shine is necessary. Optimum temperature for cultivation of water melon and musk melon is 24–27 °C and 27–30 °C respectively. Anthropogenic air poisons, for example, CO2, CH4 and CFC’s are causative to the a worldwide temperature alteration and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur are activating exhaustion of ozonosphere and letting the passage of destructive ultra violet beams. These particular impacts of environmental transformation likewise sway the disease and pest attacks, pathogen-host associations, dispersal and nature of insect pests, time of advent, movement to novel regions and their hibernating limit, around by winding up preeminent hindrance to vegetable development. Heat stress is a complex function of strength (temperature degrees), length and rate of temperature augmentation. It can be overcome by integrated approaches like cultural management practices including nutrient and tillage residue management, efficient use of water, mulching, IPM and breeding approaches like development of genotypes tolerant to high temperature and moisture stress (drought).

This thesis is about importance of bread in diet, nutritional composition and the result of excessive at the human health. Part of the text deals with materials which are important section of research focused at enrichment of bread without negative effect on technical properties of dough. Is an effort to keep original sensory properties. Practical part deals with hemp, gourd, milk thistle and flax flours. This material was used in 5 or 10 % for baking 17 breads following the standard recipe. These breads were dried and grinded. Grounded breads were subjected to analysis of polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and nitrogen substance content. All breads containing oilseeds had better nutrition properties. There was not a problem with technological properties during dough processing.

Small gourd ( Lagenaria siceraria var . microcarpa (Naud.) Hara), a cultivar of Lagenaria family, is an important medicinal and ornamental plants. However, there are few studies on its chloroplast (cp) genome. In this study, we characterized its complete chloroplast (cp) genome with high throughput sequencing. The circular cp genome is determined to be 157, 121 bp in length, with a long sing-copy and a small sing-copy separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions. A total of 132 genes were annotated, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 1 pseudo gene. The overall GC content of cp genome was 37.09%. The maximum likelihood tree suggested that small gourd was closely related to Lagenaria siceraria. These results provided an understanding of small gourd cp genome and might be useful for future genetic studies.

Cucumis melo L. var . agrestis Naud. belong to the genus Cucumis in the Gourd family, it is rich in oil. It can extract high quality edible oil and provide raw materials for medicine and food industry. The chloroplast genome of Cucumis melo L. was sequenced for the first time. The results showed that the chloroplast genome of Cucumis melo L. was similar to that of common melon. This study can provide a theoretical reference for breeding.

Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil., from the family of holy plants, Aquifoliaceae, is a native South American tree that can reach 18 m in height and is used to produce “yerba mate”. It is found primarily in the southern regions of South America, namely, Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo), Argentina (Corrientes, Misiones), Paraguay (Alto Parana, Amambay, Caaguazu, Canendiyu, Central, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, San Pedro), and Uruguay. “Yerba mate” tea, an infusion made from the leaves of this tree, is a widely consumed nonalcoholic beverage in South America which is gaining rapid introduction into the world market, either as tea itself or as ingredient in formulated foods or dietary supplements. The indigenous people have used it for centuries as a social and medicinal beverage. The container in which it is generally served is a gourd made from the dry and hollowed fruit of Lagenaria vulgaris Ser. (Cucurbitaceae), whose dimensions vary according the region and uses. It is called “mate” in the region. “Mate” has a very important social role. The act of offering and sharing it has connotations like those of the tea ceremony for some Oriental cultures.

Melon fruit fly, Bacterocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) is a serious pest of many vegetables, especially cucurbits. To manage this notorious pest, the experiments were designed to evaluate the most effective method of pest control. The field experiments in bottle gourd, sponge gourd, Indian squash and bitter gourd were designed in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having 16 treatments with 5 replications each. Basically, there were five treatments; T1= Untreated control, T2 = Spinosad (Tracer), T3= Cue-lure, T4= Protein hydrolysate, T5 = Trybliographa daci. Furthermore, combinations of these treatments were designed to find out the most effective combination. The results revealed that among the solo treatments, the plots sprayed with chemical (T2 = Tracer) had least number of infested fruits (29.75±2.69) while in combine treatments, the most effective treatment was T16 (Tracer + Protein hydrolysate + cuelure + T. daci) with 2.00±0.41 infested fruits. Moreover, the highest punctures fruit-1 were recorded in control plot (23.25±2.21) cultivated with Bottle gourd whereas, the least punctures were found in bitter ground (1.05±0.38) cultivated plot. On the basis of results obtained from the current study, it can be concluded that the combination of different treatments can significantly reduce the infestation caused by melon fruit fly. Moreover, the researchers and government organizations should provide the biological agents and convince the farmers to use IPM methods for healthy vegetable with high yield.

Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) is a widely growing vegetative climber and used as a vegetable and traditional medicine. Ridge gourd is cross-pollinated crop and most of them are monoecious so that the description of the plants owned by each luffa accession is different. This study aims to determine the diversity between luffa accessions from different regions. The accessions used in this study were CB-LF 35, CB-LF 78, CB-LF 79, and CB-LF 98. The design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 luffa accessions as a treatment and 10 individuals from each of them as a replication. Observation of morphological characterization was carried out by observing qualitative character including plant vigor, stem shape, presence of tendrils, leaf color, leaf pubescense density, leaf shape, leaf lobes, and leaf edge. The morphological data obtained then compared between one accession to another accession. The results showed that the accessions of CB-LF 35, CB-LF 78, CB-LF 79 and CB-LF 98 had plant strength characters which were categorized as strong, angular stem shape, tendrils, green leaf color, a lot of trichome density, shape of the leaf are liver, and leaf lobe are classified into deep categories. The difference in character occurred in the leaf edge character with CB-LF 79 accession which had a toothed leaf edge character which are different from the other accessions namely CB-LF 35, CB-LF 78 and CB-LF 98 which had smooth leaf edge characters.

Although light-emitting diode (LED) lamps have been broadly applied in horticultural production to improve plant yield and quality, compared to natural light there is a disadvantage in the lack of far-red light in the LED spectrum. Far-red light has been studied widely to control plant growth and development. Therefore, this study aimed to find the effect of supplemental far-red-enriched LED lights to control the growth of tomato, red pepper, cucumber, gourd, watermelon and bottle gourd seedlings. The treatments were cool white LED:far-red LED at ratios of 5:0, 5:1, 5:2 and 5:3. The growth of tomato and red pepper seedlings, including hypocotyl length, was correlated to far-red light and light intensity. The phytochrome photostationary state (PSS) value of maximum hypocotyl length by supplemental far-red-enriched light ranged from 0.69 to 0.77 in tomato and red pepper seedlings. Although hypocotyl lengths of cucumber and watermelon were greatly affected by PSS, the PSS value for maximum hypocotyl length was lower than for tomato and red pepper. These results show that manipulating supplemental far-red enrichment can be used to control vegetable seedling growth with some variation among plant species.

Snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.), which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, is a popular ornamental and food crop species with medicinal value and is grown in many parts of the world. Although progress has been made in its genetic improvement, the organization, composition, and evolution of the snake gourd genome remain largely unknown. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly for snake gourd, comprising 202 contigs, with a total size of 919.8 Mb and an N50 size of 20.1 Mb. These findings indicate that snake gourd has one of the largest genomes of Cucurbitaceae species sequenced to date. The snake gourd genome assembly harbors 22,874 protein-coding genes and 80.0% of the genome consists of repetitive sequences. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that snake gourd is closely related to sponge gourd but diverged from their common ancestor ~33–47 million years ago. The genome sequence reported here serves as a valuable resource for snake gourd genetic research and comparative genomic studies in Cucurbitaceae and other plant species. In addition, fruit transcriptome analysis reveals the candidate genes related to quality traits during snake gourd fruit development and provides a basis for future research on snake gourd fruit development and ripening at the transcript level.

This photochronographic essay focuses on works and texts that integrate the artistic and research process entitled Cabaça Cabeça Cabaça, was produced during the weekly virtual meetings of the research group Navisual / PPGAS / UFRGS, during the COVID 19 pandemic. I dialogue with the flow of moving images, their rhythms in intensification and changes in confinement following the path of Cabaça, mobilizing matters through the symbolic web of non-objects inscribed in the candomblé scene., Este ensayo fotocronográfico se centra en obras y textos que integran el proceso artístico y de investigación titulado Cabaça Cabeça Cabaça, y producido durante los encuentros virtuales semanales.grupo de investigación Navisual / PPGAS / UFRGS, durante la pandemia de COVID 19. Dialogo con el fluir de las imágenes en movimiento, sus intensidades, intensificación y cambios en el encierro siguiendo el camino de Cabaça, movilización de materiales a través de la trama simbólica de no objetos inscritos en la escena candomblé., Esse ensaio fotocronográfico focaliza obras e textos que integram o processo artístico e de pesquisa intitulado Cabaça Cabeça Cabaça, foi produzido ao longo dos encontros virtuais semanais do grupo de pesquisa Navisual/PPGAS/UFRGS, durante a pandemia de COVID 19. Nele, dialogo com o fluxo de imagens em movimento, seus ritmos em intensificação e mudanças em confinamento seguindo o trajeto da Cabaça, mobilizando matérias através da teia simbólica de não-objetos inscritos na cena do candomblé.

Cucurbita pepo contains a wealth of genetic variability in fruit size, shape, and color. A common fruit color pattern in C. pepo is striping of the fruits. Stripes occur on the fruit exterior in accordance with the positions of the 10 main subepidermal vein tracts, and can be normal, with darker stripes occurring between and lighter stripes over and adjacent to the vein tracts, or reversed, with lighter stripes occurring between and darker stripes over and adjacent to the vein tracts. Reverse striping has been reported as being independent and at other times dependent on the presence of the dominant allele for dark stem color, D. The objective of this investigation was to determine the relationship, if any, between the two types of reverse striping, dark-stem-dependent and independent. For this purpose, two accessions, which when crossed produced progeny having dark-stem-dependent reverse striping, were crossed with seven near-isogenic tester accessions of known genotype. The results indicated that the two types of reverse striping are conferred by different alleles at the same locus, which is also the same locus at which other alleles confer normal striping. The results of crossing among the nine accessions suggest that two genes reported as having major effects on fruit color, l-2 and W, are actually the same locus (or two tightly linked loci). To minimize possible confusion, it is suggested that this multiple-allelic locus be hereafter referred to as l-2. This locus has seven alleles, of which the two top dominants, L-2WS and L-2W, and the bottom recessive, l-2, confer the exact same fruit phenotype, weak coloration. Two intermediate alleles, L-2 and L-2i, result in intense fruit coloration and normal striping, and two other intermediate alleles, L-2Wr and l-2R, respectively, confer dark-stem-dependent and independent reverse striping. The order of dominance of the seven alleles is L-2WS > L-2W > L-2Wr > L-2 > L-2i > l-2R > l-2.

Despite their economic importance and well-characterized domestication syndrome, the genomic impact of domestication and the identification of variants underlying the domestication traits in Cucurbita species (pumpkins and squashes) is currently lacking. Cucurbita argyrosperma, also known as cushaw pumpkin or silver-seed gourd, is a Mexican crop consumed primarily for its seeds rather than fruit flesh. This makes it a good model to study Cucurbita domestication, as seeds were an essential component of early Mesoamerican diet and likely the first targets of human-guided selection in pumpkins and squashes. We obtained population-level data using tunable Genotype by Sequencing libraries for 192 individuals of the wild and domesticated subspecies of C. argyrosperma across Mexico. We also assembled the first wild Cucurbita genome at a chromosome level. Comparative genomic analyses revealed several structural variants and presence/absence of genes related to domestication. Our results indicate a monophyletic origin of this domesticated crop in the lowlands of Jalisco. We uncovered candidate domestication genes that are involved in the synthesis and regulation of growth hormones, plant defense mechanisms, flowering time and seed development. The presence of shared selected alleles with the closely related species Cucurbita moschata suggests domestication-related introgression between both taxa.

Vegetable grafting has become entrenched as a sustainable tool for addressing biotic and abiotic stresses of vegetable crops, including watermelon. The concerted action of scion&ndash, rootstock genotypes in shaping crop performance, fruit quality and postharvest behavior of watermelon is critical. In this respect, scions of different ploidy grafted on interspecific and gourd rootstocks were assessed. Yield traits were strongly influenced by rootstock, as opposed to fruit morphometric characteristics. Interspecific rootstock supported stable yield across seasons with a 20.5% increase over gourd, and induced thicker rind and higher pulp firmness by 30.1% over gourd, which constitute advantageous traits for shelf-life. Interspecific rootstock also increased lycopene content, which was further influenced by scion genotype irrespective of ploidy. Triploid cultivars attained higher firmness but lower sugars than diploid, which renders the former particularly prone to loss of sensory quality during postharvest depletion of sugars. Although total and reducing sugars decreased during storage, sucrose increased, which in conjunction with the postharvest accumulation of lycopene sheds new light on the postharvest physiology of watermelon. The marginal rootstock effect on sugars renders interspecific rootstock superior to gourd on account of higher yield, firmness and lycopene content. The present work constitutes a contribution toward understanding rootstock&ndash, scion relations and how they mediate crop performance, fruit quality and postharvest behavior of watermelon.

Sponge gourd, called as “ Open image in new window ” in Bangladesh, is scientifically known as Luffa cylindrical that belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. Sponge gourd or luffa gourd is one of the most easily found vegetable in Bangladesh. It is an edible wild vegetable that the plant can be seen anywhere around us during late summer till late autumn in Bangladesh. Cooked sponge gourd or the curry is a bit sweetish in taste. Even though sponge gourd is kind of a wild vegetable plant, in recent time a lot of people are cultivating it in the countryside thinking of profit and commercial production since there is a market demand for it. Despite of having every opportunity to commercial benefit most of the farmers neglect the issue of insects and diseases attack on the plant resulting on huge loss in the business. Also lack of proper knowledge of related diseases, advance technology and trustable source the farmers lag behind the diseases detection process to use pesticides or different methods of reducing diseases attack. If necessary steps can be taken to prevent the insects and diseases attack at the very beginning of cultivation, then the profits will increase as the crop yields increase. This research paper attempts to detect the leaf and flower diseases of sponge gourd using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and image processing techniques. CNN and image processing are one of the most recently introduced technologies using in the agriculture sector in Bangladesh ensuring highest accuracy. This system will take leaf images as input and after examining them healthy or detected diseases will be shown as output which has diffrent true and false values for different diseases and reached to the average accuracy of 81.52%.

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) is an important cultivated vegetable and medicinal plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. In this study, a draft genome sequence of the sponge gourd inbred line P93075 was analyzed. Using Illumina, PacBio, and 10× Genomics sequencing techniques as well as new assembly techniques such as FALCON and chromatin interaction mapping (Hi-C), a chromosome-scale genome of approximately 656.19 Mb, with an N50 scaffold length of 48.76 Mb, was generated. From this assembly, 25,508 protein-coding gene loci were identified, and 63.81% of the whole-genome consisted of transposable elements, which are major contributors to the expansion of the sponge gourd genome. According to a phylogenetic analysis of conserved genes, the sponge gourd lineage diverged from the bitter gourd lineage approximately 41.6 million years ago. Additionally, many genes that respond to biotic and abiotic stresses were found to be lineage specific or expanded in the sponge gourd genome, as demonstrated by the presence of 462NBS-LRRgenes, a much greater number than are found in the genomes of other cucurbit species; these results are consistent with the high stress resistance of sponge gourd. Collectively, our study provides insights into genome evolution and serves as a valuable reference for the genetic improvement of sponge gourd.