Utilization of ethephon on hybrid seed production of tetsukabuto type squash

Abstract

This work aimed to study the effect of ethephon in the sex expression in tetsukabuto type squash plants. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design, in a factorial analysis (3 x 4). The first factor was the ethephon doses (100, 200 and 300 mgL-1) and the second the number of weekly applications (1, 2, 3 and 4). Ethephon promoted a temporary ginoicism, reducing considerably the labor of male flower elimination in female parents. A reduction was observed in the ratio between male and female flowers and the increasing doses. In addition, female flowers tended to increase in the early nodes. Doses of 300 mgL-1 of ethephon applied three or four times was the best treatment and might be used for squash hybrid seed production.

Cucurbita maxima; Cucurbita moschata; flowering; sex expression