Variations Among Some Nigerian Cucurbita Species

Cucurbita is one of the under utilised and endangered plant species in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a popular fruit vegetable among the rural dwellers. Its' existence is being threatened due to neglect. Extensive research efforts have been made on this crop by different authors in both America and Europe, but in Africa, it is viewed as a traditional food crop and, has not benefited from the same level of research efforts dedicated to other crops. Precise information on the classification of the Nigerian pumpkin is unavailable in the literature. This has created an information gap that may have discouraged high-income earners and urban dwellers from making this crop a part of their diet. This study was initiated to (i) characterize Nigeria pumpkins with respect to morphology and nutrient composition, (ii) determine the chromosomal archetecture and, (iii) provide a clue as to the relationship existing among some Nigerian Cucurbita. The research has established that the Nigerian Cucurbita are extremely diverse in the agronomic and nutritive traits. These variations could be exploited to an advantage by plant breeders, research institutions and scientists in agronomy and crop improvement