Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report 10:84 (article 44) 1987

Inheritance of Fruit Skin Color in Cucurbita moschata

R. W. Robinson

Horticultural Sciences Department, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456

Mature fruit of C. moschata cv. Long Neopolitan (PI 287531) have mottled dark and lighter green skin, in contrast to the buff color of 'Butternut'. The F₁ of 'Butternut' x 'Long Neopolitan' had green fruit, and the F₂ segregated 90 green: 32 buff. Thus, green skin color is due to a single dominant gene, designated G.

F₂ fruit of 'Butternut' x 'Long Neopolitan' were weighed, measured for length and maximum diameter, analyzed for soluble solids content with a hand refractometer, and subjectively rated for flesh color. G segregated independently of genes for fruit size and weight, soluble solids, and flesh color.