Ornamental pumpkins: traits valued by consumers and floral designers

ABSTRACT:

Family farmers in Rio Grande do Sul State grow landraces of pumpkins that have potential for ornamental use due their wide genetic variability for morphological characteristics. Some of these landraces are conserved in the Cucurbitaceae Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Temperate Agriculture. To use this germplasm it is important to characterize it morphologically. Preferences and acceptance of the consumer market can be other useful information. So, this study aimed to verify the acceptance of ornamental pumpkins by the consumer market (consumers and floral designers) and their perception related to ornamental attributes. Therefore, consumers and floral designers were interviewed. They indicated which ornamental traits were preferred and the grade of satisfaction, using an hedonic scale. The morphological fruit traits selected were fruit shape, predominant skin color, skin texture and design formed by the secondary color in the skin. The scale action (Food Action Rating Scale, FACT) is used to verify the acceptance of the fruits. The results were presented as percentages and histograms. A total of 150 consumers and 30 floral designers were interviewed. No significant difference was observed between consumers and floral designers in the perception of aesthetic traits of ornamental pumpkins. The fruits of ornamental pumpkins have great potential for ornamental use and value, with excellent acceptance by consumers with hedonic value around eight.

Keywords:
Cucurbita; preference; acceptance; decoration; floriculture.