Breeding Classic Cucurbita maxima Buttercup Squash for Increased Genetic Diversity

The unique ability for cucurbits, naturally outcrossers, to withstand inbreeding has allowed pedigree line breeding techniques to become the industry standard for development of new squash varieties, buttercup included (1; 7). Self-fertilization is preferred because it ensures rapid homozygosity and the fixation of desirable characteristics within the variety (1). A method of recurrent selection breeding was developed with the goal of creating a new variety of C. maxima buttercup squash that competed with or outperformed other market varieties, yet maintained maximum heterozygosity. This would be achieved by avoiding self-pollination at critical stages of the breeding project and maintaining adequate numbers of progeny over the selection process.

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