Fruit morphological changes and yield of hybrid butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) cultivated using its replanted seeds

¹ University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia
² University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agroecotechnology, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Butternut squash is a horticultural commodity and is classified as an annual plant. This study aimed to evaluate the fruit morphological changes and yield of hybrid butternut squash grown from replanted seeds. This study was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two treatments,namely commercial hybrid seeds (F1) and seeds obtained from the first harvest generation (F2). The results showed that butternut squash cultivated from commercial hybrid seeds (F1) showed more vigorous vegetative growth than plants derived from replanted seeds (F2), particularly in the elongation and widening of lower, middle, and upper leaves. Fruit morphology also differed markedly between generations. Fruits produced from F1 plants were more uniform in shape and size, generally showing a jug-like form with a more bulging bottom part, whereas F2 plants produced fruits with more diverse and elongated shapes. Fruit circumference development in F1 increased rapidly at 11–12 days after fruit enlargement, while F2 showed a more linear enlargement pattern. In addition, F1 exhibited greater fruit shape uniformity, reflected by a higher coefficient of determination compared with F2. However, F2 plants produced significantly higher fruit number and fresh fruit weight than F1. These findings indicate that cultivation using replanted seeds (F2) altered fruit morphology and reduced uniformity, but increased yield potential compared with commercial hybrid seeds (F1).