Cucurbits: Botany Cultivation And Utilisation

The Cucurbitaceae are among the most important plant families that supply man with edible products and useful fibres. The cultivate species of this family are not nearly as significant in man’s economy as the cereals or the legumes, but in the tropics, subtropics, and milder portions of the temperate zones of both hemispheres, they are crops of more than ordinary importance. For the people of these areas, the cultivated Cucurbitaceae have a place in their diet and there are other minor uses: for example, in pottery, for baskets, jugs pots, and cutlery; and the fibrous material of Luffa used for scouring. The Cucurbitaceae consist of about ninety genera and 750 species almost equally divided between the new and old world tropics. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction and Geographic Origin of Cultivated Species Introduction-Water melon (Citrullus vulgaris) - Cucumber, Gherkin, Musk-melon (Cucumis spp)-Dish-rag or Loofah Gourd (Luffa cylindrica)-White-flowered Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)-Squashes, Marrows, Pumpkins, Gourds (Cucurbita spp)-Chayote (Sechium edule); Chapter 2: General Morphology and Anatomy; (A) General morphology-(B) Internal anatomy-Roots-Stems-Leaves-Tendrils-Flowers-Fruits-Seeds; Chapter 3: Taxonomy and Cultivars: (A) Taxonomy-Citrullus-Cucumis-Luffa-Lagenaria-Cucurbita-Sechium-(B) The important cultivars of the cultivated Cucurbitaceae; Chapter 4: Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding; Introduction-Citrullus vulgaris-Luffa cylindrica-Lagenaria Siceraria-Cucumis sativas-Cucumis melo-Cucurbita spp; Chapter 5: The Effect of Environmental Factors on Growth and Development; Light and light-nutrient interactions-Temperature-Flowering and sex-expression-Fruit-set and yield-Water relations; Chapter 6: Culture; Land preparation-Planting-Climate and soil requirements-Thinning-Fertilizer-Irrigation-Cultivation and weed control-Culture of chayote; Chapter 7: Seed Production: Factors in Seed Production-Seed Harvesting and Seed Storage-Testing seed Germination-Seed Production Statistics for the United States; Chapter 8: Disease and Insect Pests; (A): Diseases-Seed decay and seedling blight-Root-rots-Fusarium wilt-Verticillium Wilt-Anthracnose-Bacterial Wilt-Angular leaf-spot-Downy mildew-Powdery mildew-Scab-Virus diseases-Crown blight and other diseases-Market diseases; (B) Insects, spider mites, and nematodes-Cucumber beetles-Aphids-Leafhoppers-Leafminers-Squash bug-Thrips-Darkling ground-beetles-Cutworms-Wireworms-Seed-corn maggot-Squash vine borer-Pickle-worm and melon-worm-Spider mites-Root-knot nematode; Chapter 9: Harvesting, Transportation, Storage, and Marketing Water-melons-Cucumbers-Musk-melons-Squashes and pumpkins; Chapter 10: Composition and Uses; General data on Composition-Composition of Specific food Products-Distribution, Chemistry and Genetics of bitter Principles (Cucurbitacins)-Production and industrial uses of fibers from Luffa cylindrica