Articles
A South American forgotten vegetable: Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad, a contribution to its agronomic management
Article number
1297_6
Pages
37 – 42
Language
English
Abstract
Cyclanthera pedata, was eaten by pre-Columbian cultures in South America.
Nevertheless nowadays, this vegetable is not been intensively exploited, in most cases only small orchards or self-supply productions can be seen.
In Chile is grown in Arica & Parinacota, Tarapaca and Atacama region only in small farms with little agronomic management.
At same time, there is no detailed information about it.
Two different trials were done to contribute with cultural improvements of the crop.
Optimal range germination temperature was determined between 20 and 30°C, obtaining the best germination speed at 25°C, similar to other cucurbitaceous species like watermelon, cucumber or melon.
On the other hand, under 45% shade net (blue-white stripes), plant density was determined to be best at 2×1 m instead to 2×2 m, either using horizontal wires and hand tutoring strings or using a 15×15 cm vertical plastic net for self tutoring.
In order to evaluate the potential yield, PAR intercepted was measured at two stages.
At the beginning of harvest no differences were detected between treatments, whereas, two month after harvest, plants at 2×1 m with plastic net got higher PAR interception than plants at 2×2 m with horizontal wires.
In part due to the PAR interception results, number of fruit per ha was higher under 2×1 m, independently of the tutoring system, but keeping the same mean weight per fruit.
Considering a period of two month of harvest, planting at 2×1 m is recommended, using plastic net because require less hand labor than horizontal wires.
Nevertheless nowadays, this vegetable is not been intensively exploited, in most cases only small orchards or self-supply productions can be seen.
In Chile is grown in Arica & Parinacota, Tarapaca and Atacama region only in small farms with little agronomic management.
At same time, there is no detailed information about it.
Two different trials were done to contribute with cultural improvements of the crop.
Optimal range germination temperature was determined between 20 and 30°C, obtaining the best germination speed at 25°C, similar to other cucurbitaceous species like watermelon, cucumber or melon.
On the other hand, under 45% shade net (blue-white stripes), plant density was determined to be best at 2×1 m instead to 2×2 m, either using horizontal wires and hand tutoring strings or using a 15×15 cm vertical plastic net for self tutoring.
In order to evaluate the potential yield, PAR intercepted was measured at two stages.
At the beginning of harvest no differences were detected between treatments, whereas, two month after harvest, plants at 2×1 m with plastic net got higher PAR interception than plants at 2×2 m with horizontal wires.
In part due to the PAR interception results, number of fruit per ha was higher under 2×1 m, independently of the tutoring system, but keeping the same mean weight per fruit.
Considering a period of two month of harvest, planting at 2×1 m is recommended, using plastic net because require less hand labor than horizontal wires.
Authors
R. Pertuzé, C. Baginsky, C. Medina, M. Bello, A. Araya
Keywords
Caigua, tutoring, PAR interception, germination
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