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This study examined the impact of fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L75) and Bifidobacterium longum (BF) on the total soluble solids (TSS), pH, TA, LAB survival, color properties, ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content (TPC), carotenoid components, and antioxidant properties of smoothies made from melon varieties (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Watermelon) separately with pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo). For all smoothies, pH (r = −0.74) and TSS (r = −0.79) were inversely and strongly correlated with LAB counts, while LAB counts were positively correlated with TA (r = 0.87). Fermentation time (24 to 72 h) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the TSS (%), pH, and color properties of all smoothies fermented with L75 or BF, while TA increased. Fermenting Cantaloupe melon and C pepo leaves with L75 (CMCL75) for 24 h increased the ascorbic acid content to 3.8 mg/100 mL. The sensory panel scores were highest for Watermelon and C. moschata or C. pepo fermented with L75 or BF for 24 h. TPC concentration was highest in CMCL75 (70.76 mg of gallic acid per 100 mL) after 24 h. C. pepo leaves and Cantaloupe fermented with L75 (CPCL75) showed the highest concentration of total carotenoids (70.38 mg/100 mL), lutein (2.53 µg/100 mL), cis β-carotene (25.43 µg/100 mL), and trans β-carotene (620.37 µg/100 mL). In contrast, CMCL75 showed the highest concentration of zeaxanthin (0.70 mg/100 mL). This study demonstrated the potential of fermenting Cantaloupe and pumpkin leaves together with the L75 strain to produce non-dairy functional products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbita crops, which include market types of pumpkin and squash, have unparalleled fruit variation and equally important economic value worldwide. Pumpkin and squash have versatile uses but are most popular in culinary, ornamental, snacking, and seed oil industries. The production of Cucurbita crops is hindered by diseases caused by fungal, oomycetes, and viral pathogens. Host resistance is an important component of integrated disease management for Cucurbita crops and is a major goal for plant breeders. This review addresses the major diseases of Cucurbita, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, Phytophthora rot, and aphid and whitefly transmitted viruses, with an emphasis on germplasm exploitation for the development of resistant cultivars. Resistance to powdery mildew derived from Cucurbita okeechobeensis subsp. martinezii (designated PM‐0) has been extensively deployed in commercial cultivars and was recently mapped on chromosomes 3 and 10 of Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo, respectively. Resistance to Phytophthora crown rot is present across several Cucurbita species, including Cucurbita lundelliana, C. okeechobeenesis subsp. okeechobeenesis, C. moschata, and C. pepo. Mapping studies have identified significant loci associated with Phytophthora crown rot resistance on chromosomes 4, 11, and 20 of C. moschata and chromosomes 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 16, and 19 of C. pepo. Sources of resistance to aphid‐transmitted viruses exist in C. moschata, Cucurbita ficifolia, Cucurbita ecuadorensis, Cucurbita martinezii, C. ecuadorensis, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita foetidissima. The availability of DNA markers linked to resistance against zucchini yellow mosaic virus and papaya ringspot virus in C. moschata and C. pepo has facilitated marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in breeding programs. On the other hand, sources of resistance to tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a major whitefly‐transmitted virus in Cucurbita, have been identified in C. moschata, C. lundelliana, and C. okeechobeensis. A major locus conferring resistance to ToLCNDV in C. moschata was recently mapped on chromosome 8 enabling the application of MAS with a prediction accuracy of 94.3%. Overall, the continued discovery and application of genomic tools for resistance breeding in Cucurbita will accelerate the rate of genetic gain while reducing costs associated with phenotyping. Core Ideas: Resistance to powdery mildew, designated PM‐0, has been extensively deployed in commercial cultivars.Resistance to Phytophthora crown rot is available in Cucurbita lundelliana, Cucurbita okeechobeenesis, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita pepo.Sources of resistance to aphid‐transmitted viruses exist in at least seven Cucurbita species.Resistance to tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus is present in C. moschata, C. lundelliana, and C. okeechobeensis.Availability of genomic tools in Cucurbita will accelerate the rate of genetic gain for resistance breeding. Plain Language Summary: Pumpkin and squash are important crops worldwide. Some of the main plant diseases affecting cultivation of pumpkin and squash include mildews, viruses, and fruit and stem rots. Development of cultivars resistant to these diseases is important for growers as it helps cut the costs associated with production. Many sources of resistance to these diseases have been identified. DNA markers linked to genetic resistance will aide plant breeders in the process of selecting plants carrying suitable resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Damage from insect herbivores can elicit a wide range of plant responses, including reduced or compensatory growth, altered volatile profiles, or increased production of defence compounds. Specifically, herbivory can alter floral development as plants reallocate resources towards defence and regrowth functions. For pollinator-dependent species, floral quantity and quality are critical for attracting floral visitors; thus, herbivore-induced developmental effects that alter either floral abundance or attractiveness may have critical implications for plant reproductive success. Based on past work on resource trade-offs, we hypothesize that herbivore damage-induced effects are stronger in structural floral traits that require significant resource investment (e.g. flower quantity), as plants reallocate resources towards defence and regrowth, and weaker in secondary floral traits that require less structural investment (e.g. nectar rewards). Methods In this study, we simulated early-season herbivore mechanical damage in the domesticated jack-o-lantern pumpkin Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo and measured a diverse suite of floral traits over a 60-d greenhouse experiment. Key Results We found that mechanical damage delayed the onset of male anthesis and reduced the total quantity of flowers produced. Additionally, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) indicated that mechanical damage significantly impacts overall floral volatile profile, though not output of sesquiterpenoids, a class of compounds known to recruit specialized cucumber beetle herbivores and squash bee pollinators. Conclusions We show that C. pepo spp. pepo reduces investment in male flower production following mechanical damage, and that floral volatiles do exhibit shifts in production, indicative of damage-induced trait plasticity. Such reductions in male flower production could reduce the relative attractiveness of damaged plants to foraging pollinators in this globally relevant cultivated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The globally changing climatic condition is increasing the incidences of drought in several parts of the world. This is predicted and already shown to not only impact plant growth and flower development, but also plant–pollinator interactions and the pollination success of entomophilous plants. However, there is a large gap in our understanding of how drought affects the different flowers and pollen transfer among flowers in sexually polymorphic species.Here, we evaluated in monoecious Styrian oil pumpkin, and separately for female and male flowers, the responses of drought stress on flower production, petal size, nectar, floral scent and visitation by bumblebee pollinators.Drought stress adversely affected all floral traits studied, except floral scent. Although both flower sexes were adversely affected by drought stress, the effects were more severe on female flowers, with most of the female flowers even aborted before opening. The drought had negative effects on floral visitation by the pollinators, which generally preferred female flowers.Overall, our study highlights that the two flower sexes of a monoecious plant species are differently affected by drought stress and calls for further investigations to better understand the cues used by the pollinators to discriminate against male flowers and against flowers of drought‐stressed plants. See also the Commentary on this article by Buchmann & Papaj, 244: 746–748. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the production of field crops in semi-arid regions mainly focuses on irrigation and climate change adaptation because these are emphasized as the practices determining yields of field crops in these regions. The need to evolve research in this direction is important because general crop production systems in all regions can adopt the findings from this kind of research during unforeseen drought conditions. Research on fertilizers is usually treated as a secondary factor or neglected despite it being an important practice for crops growing in semi-arid regions. Fertilization affects parameters that are responsible for metabolism, physiology, morphology, and subsequent crop yields under drought conditions. This literature review focused on dual-yield crops' response to fertilization and the potential for researchers to employ these responses for the improvement of cultivations and yields in semi-arid regions. These findings indicated that the application of various nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) fertilizers is common and based on broadcasting and banding techniques. The split application of N, P, and K fertilizers is mostly employed to adjust the metabolism, physiology, and morphology of crops at different growth stages so that the crops can be exposed to water shortages. These adjustments can be used to increase or decrease the water use efficiency of the crops, which is highly associated with biological and economic yields. Research on micro-elements in dual-yield crops is currently very limited. Multidimensional future research based on the effects of micro-elements on the metabolism, physiology, and morphology of dual-yield crops is recommended. This research must be conducted with the aim of enhancing water use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podosphaera xanthii is the main causal agent of powdery mildew (PM) disease for Cucurbita pepo. Disease control is attained principally by applications of chemical fungicides, along with parallel use of tolerant crop varieties and alternate application of elicitors to control development of disease resistance. To get insight into C. pepo molecular responses to P. xanthii infection and elicitor treatment we studied the proteomic profile differences at the phyllosphere of a zucchini cultivar susceptible to PM, at the onset of P. xanthii (PX) infection and after application of Reynoutria sachalinensis (RS) plant extract, respectively, using a nano-LC-HRMS/MS, Q-Exactive-Orbitrap approach. Analysis of peptide sequences regarding four treatment groups (Control; PX; RS; and RSPX (PX-infected priorly treated with RS)) resulted in 2070 CuGenDB annotations. Three comparisons (treatments vs. Control) encompassed most of the Differentially Expressed Proteins (DEPs). In these three comparisons, KEGG and Gene Ontology functional analyses highlighted unique differentially enriched pathways—some of which included highly expressed proteins—in PX-related (proteasome, pentose phosphate pathway, and carbon fixation), RS-related (biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, flavonoids, and starch and sucrose metabolism), and RSPX-related (pyruvate metabolism and polycomb repressive complex) comparisons, respectively, suggesting distinct mechanisms of early plant responses modulated by PX and RS. Furthermore, in four out of six comparisons the thiamine metabolism pathway was found to be enriched, suggesting a pivotal role in PX-induced responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Despite the traditional use of Cucurbita pepo seed in pregnancy, its effects on female reproduction remain scarce. This study evaluated the impacts of n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and aqueous ethanol extracts of C. pepo seed on the cyclicity and reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats. Methods: Ten groups of four rats received seed extracts or tween 80 orally for 21 days: A (control)= 0.5 mL tween 80 (vehicle); B, C, & D= 142.86, 285.71, and 428.57 mg/kg nHE; E, F, & G= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of DCM; and H, I, & J= 142.86, 285.71, 428.57 mg/kg of aqueous ethanol extracts, respectively. Vaginal cytology monitored the estrous cycle daily, and blood samples were obtained for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone at various oestrus cycle phases. Results: Compared to the control, the estrous cycle phases did not change significantly (P>0.05). FSH levels significantly increased (P

Summary: Floral traits, including floral display and nutritional rewards from pollen and nectar, drive pollinator visitation. Even within a single plant species, environmental factors can influence the quality and quantity of floral resources. Yet, the ecological interactions driving this variation in floral resources, especially those belowground, remain unknown.Here, we investigate how soil microbial community composition and nutrient availability, specifically distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species and phosphorus (P) supply, affect plant growth, AMF traits, floral traits, and how that, in turn, affects bee visitation.We found that increased AMF richness of functional diversity enhanced floral display (flower size and number) and rewards (nectar volume and pollen protein) and increased bee visitation. Using structural equation modeling, we found that AMF associations could boost bee visitation by enhancing flower size. However, trade‐offs occur; flower size correlates negatively with root colonization but positively with hyphal length, suggesting that AMF traits drive the effects of AMF on flower growth.Overall, the effect of AMF on floral traits and bee visitation was not homogenous; instead, AMF trait differences interact with P supply, resulting in varying effects on floral traits and subsequently bee foraging dynamics. These results highlight that focusing on beneficial belowground interactions could provide an opportunity to bolster bee visitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Begomoviruses are major constraint in the production of many crops. Upon infection, begomoviruses may substantially modulate plant biological processes. While how monopartite begomoviruses interact with their plant hosts has been investigated extensively, bipartite begomoviruses-plant interactions are understudied. Moreover, as one of the major groups of hosts, cucurbitaceous plants have been seldom examined in the interaction with begomoviruses. Results We profiled the zucchini transcriptomic changes induced by a bipartite begomovirus squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV). We identified 2275 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), of which 1310 were upregulated and 965 were downregulated. KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed that many pathways related to primary and secondary metabolisms were enriched. qRT-PCR verified the transcriptional changes of twelve selected DEGs induced by SLCCNV infection. Close examination revealed that the expression levels of all the DEGs of the pathway Photosynthesis were downregulated upon SLCCNV infection. Most DEGs in the pathway Plant-pathogen interaction were upregulated, including some positive regulators of plant defenses. Moreover, the majority of DEGs in the MAPK signaling pathway-plant were upregulated. Conclusion Our findings indicates that SLCCNV actively interact with its cucurbitaceous plant host by suppressing the conversion of light energy to chemical energy and inducing immune responses. Our study not only provides new insights into the interactions between begomoviruses and host plants, but also adds to our knowledge on virus-plant interactions in general.

Background: Begomoviruses are major constraint in the production of many crops. Upon infection, begomoviruses may substantially modulate plant biological processes. While how monopartite begomoviruses interact with their plant hosts has been investigated extensively, bipartite begomoviruses-plant interactions are understudied. Moreover, as one of the major groups of hosts, cucurbitaceous plants have been seldom examined in the interaction with begomoviruses. Results: We profiled the zucchini transcriptomic changes induced by a bipartite begomovirus squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV). We identified 2275 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), of which 1310 were upregulated and 965 were downregulated. KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed that many pathways related to primary and secondary metabolisms were enriched. qRT-PCR verified the transcriptional changes of twelve selected DEGs induced by SLCCNV infection. Close examination revealed that the expression levels of all the DEGs of the pathway Photosynthesis were downregulated upon SLCCNV infection. Most DEGs in the pathway Plant-pathogen interaction were upregulated, including some positive regulators of plant defenses. Moreover, the majority of DEGs in the MAPK signaling pathway-plant were upregulated. Conclusion: Our findings indicates that SLCCNV actively interact with its cucurbitaceous plant host by suppressing the conversion of light energy to chemical energy and inducing immune responses. Our study not only provides new insights into the interactions between begomoviruses and host plants, but also adds to our knowledge on virus-plant interactions in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of trace metal elements (TMEs) on plants is one current pollution problem, the severity of which is increasing with industrial development, population growth and inappropriate agricultural practices. The latter can have irreversible effects on ecosystems, including species extinction, trophic chain contamination and altered human health, particularly in the case of consumed plants such as zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). This study aims to investigate the effects of nickel on various physiological and biochemical parameters of zucchini growth, with a particular focus on how this toxic metal impacts the quality of fruit that is consumed by humans. To achieve this, plants aged 45 days were grown for one month on solid media loaded with different concentrations of Ni (0, 100, 300 and 500 µM). The results showed that exposure of plants to Ni resulted in significantly altered growth and higher accumulation of Ni in the shoots (1314 µg·g−1 DW) than in roots and fruits. Concerning non-enzymatic antioxidants, the results showed that Ni toxicity significantly increased total polyphenols, especially in shoots at 300 µM Ni, while flavonoid content decreased in the roots and shoots in response to Ni treatment. Our results also show that nickel tolerance in C. pepo is ensured by a combination of several mechanisms such as an increase in the content of proline. This species can survive and tolerate, to different degrees, toxic cations at concentrations up to 500 µM but with visible symptoms of toxicity such as chlorosis of the leaves. Indeed, based on thresholds of hyperaccumulation, we can qualify Cucurbita pepo as a hyperaccumulator species of nickel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crosstalk of phytohormones in the regulation of growth and development and the response of plants to environmental stresses is a cutting-edge research topic, especially in crop species. In this paper, we study the role and crosstalk between abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), and jasmonate (JA) in the control of germination and seedling growth in water or in standard nutrient solution and under salt stress (supplemented with 100–200 mM NaCl). The roles of ET and JA were studied using squash ET- and JA-deficient mutants aco1a and lox3a, respectively, while the crosstalk between ET, JA, and ABA was determined by comparing the expression of the key ABA, JA, and ET genes in wild-type (WT) and mutant genotypes under standard conditions and salt stress. Data showed that ET and JA are positive regulators of squash germination, a function that was found to be mediated by downregulating the ABA biosynthesis and signaling pathways. Under salt stress, aco1a germinated earlier than WT, while lox3a showed the same germination rate as WT, indicating that ET, but not JA, restricts squash germination under unfavorable salinity conditions, a function that was also mediated by upregulation of ABA. ET and JA were found to be negative regulators of plant growth during seedling establishment, although ET inhibits both the aerial part and the root, while JA inhibits only the root. Both aco1a and lox3a mutant roots showed increased tolerance to salt stress, a phenotype that was found to be mainly mediated by JA, although we cannot exclude that it is also mediated by ABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit peel color is a major factor that influences fruit quality and customers' demand. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the green fruit peel color trait of Cucurbita pepo L. remain unknown. Two parental lines, RP16 and RP38, were used to study the fruit peel color trait in C. pepo. The parental line RP16 shows white peel color, whereas RP38 exhibits green peel color. 384 F2 populations were used to identify the inheritance pattern associated with green fruit and white fruit peel in Cucurbita pepo L. 293 F2 individuals were white, and 91 F2 individuals were green, resulting in a ratio of 3:1. Hence, white peel is dominant over the green fruit peel trait, and a single recessive green peel gene (Cpgp) controls the green fruit peel. The fruit chlorophyll (Chll) content decreases as fruit matures in the RP16 line. In contrast, Chll increases during the fruit growing periods on fruit peels of the RP38 line. The BSA-sequence analysis revealed the Cpgp locus on Chr5, within a 2.3 Mb region. Subsequent fine-mapping analysis, using 699 F2 plants, narrowed down this region to 23.90 kb on the same chromosome. Within this region, two annotated genes, namely Cp4.1LG05g02070 and Cp4.1LG05g02060, are present. These genes are predicted to encode a two-component Arabidopsis Pseudo-Response Regulator 2-like protein (APRR2), which may be involved in green pigmentation processes in plants. Consequently, sequence alignment and gene expression analyses at various fruit development stages supported that Cp4.1LG05g02070 may be the primary candidate gene responsible for regulating the green fruit peel color trait in Cucurbita pepo L. This study may provide a basis for further study on the basic mechanisms that control the fruit peel colors in Cucurbita spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a short-lived vegetable plant with a harvest period ranging from 28 to 60 days after planting. It offers health benefits and has the potential for development in Indonesia, although it faces challenges, particularly because it thrives better in highland areas. This research aims to identify adaptive zucchini varieties for medium-altitude areas and evaluate the effect of auxin (IAA) on the growth and yield of zucchini in these regions. The study employed a split-plot design, with the main plots being varieties (P1, P2, P3) and the subplots being auxin concentrations (A0, A50, A100, A150 ppm). Observed variables included plant length, leaf number, stem diameter, leaf area, flowering age (male and female), number of flowers (male and female), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, as well as fruit length and diameter. The results indicated that the Carissa variety adapted best, producing a fruit weight per plant of 1,067.40 g. Additionally, auxin application increased the fruit weight per plant compared to those without auxin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization barriers often hinder the introgression of desired traits of interest in interspecific hybridization. In present study, the fertilization barriers in interspecific crosses of Cucurbita moschata (Punjab Nawab and Punjab Sardar) and Cucurbita pepo (PMK-1) were investigated. The results revealed that pollen grains were viable and stigmas were receptive at the time of pollination in all the genotypes. The maximum pollen germination (%) was observed in Punjab Nawab, while maximum pollen size, pollen tube length and style length were recorded in Punjab Sardar. Additionally, fluorescence microscopic images showed that the shorter pollen tubes of PMK-1 did not grow enough in the longer style of Punjab Sardar, hence the interspecific cross of Punjab Sardar × PMK-1 was incompatible. While in the reciprocal cross (PMK-1 × Punjab Sardar), formation of callose plugs in the pollen tubes of Punjab Sardar and its slow growth might had contributed to the failure of fertilization. However, in the interspecific cross of Punjab Nawab × PMK-1 and vice-versa, the pollen grains successfully germinated on stigma and pollen tubes reached the style but embryo was not able to attain a particular shape, therefore, the cross was partially incompatible. The fruit setting (%), fruit diameter, fruit weight, seed number, seed weight and seed germination (%) was lesser in interspecific crosses as compared to self-pollinated genotypes. Furthermore, cluster analysis revealed that partially compatible and incompatible crosses are present in different clusters and partially compatible cross showed strong positive correlation with fruit characters. Collectively, pre-and post-fertilization barriers hampered the interspecific hybridization between C. pepo and C. moschata genotypes. These findings would help the breeders to overcome such barriers and introgress the hull-less seed trait of C. pepo and disease resistant trait of C. moschata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the Archaic period onward, Indigenous populations across the Eastern Woodlands cultivated a suite of crops known to archaeologists as the Eastern Agricultural Complex. However, aside from squash (Cucurbita pepo) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus), little evidence exists for the cultivation of these plants in the northeastern Algonquian homeland. Botanical analysis from the Manna site (36Pi4), located in the Upper Delaware Valley, provides evidence for the cultivation of the full suite of Eastern Agricultural Complex crops. Flotation samples analyzed from Manna provide the first evidence for possible Lenape cultivation of chenopodium (Chenopodium berlandieri), squash, sunflower, and marshelder (Iva annua) from contexts dating to AD 0–1650 (Middle and Late Woodland) at Manna. Lenape cultivation of these crops complicates the traditional view of Indigenous agricultural systems in northeastern North America and raises questions about when and how these species were introduced to the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reported the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Cucurbita pepo L. seed extract and explored their multifunctional properties such as anti-corrosion, photocatalytic, and adsorption capabilities. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify their functional groups, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess their thermal stability, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to determine their size, morphology, and elemental composition. The characterization of biofabricated ZnO NPs revealed an average particle size of 32.88 nm; however, SEM displayed a tendency for the particles to agglomerate. Furthermore, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and EDX analysis confirmed the NPs as ZnO, matching patterns reported in the literature. In this study, the potential of the biogenic ZnO NPs was explored for multifunctional applications. Zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibited a higher capacity for adsorbing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) compared to bulk zinc oxide, mostly because of their larger surface area. In addition, electrochemical studies demonstrated a substantial enhancement in the corrosion resistance of mild steel in a 1.0 M HCl solution. ZnO NPs also demonstrated remarkable photodegradation effectiveness, reducing 75% of methyl orange in 60 min under sun-light irradiation. This implies that they could be used to remediate organic pollutants (organic dyes) from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whitefly-transmitted viruses have emerged as a major threat to cucurbit production in the United States during the past several decades. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), and Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) are the main arthropod-borne plant viruses in cucurbit crops, including yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo). Symptoms of these viruses include interveinal chlorosis, chlorotic spots, yellowing, and curling of the leaves. The evaluation of specific viruses affecting a plant is challenging because of the prevalence of mixed infections in naturally infected fields. To devise an efficient breeding-based management approach, two PI lines (PI 171625 and PI 171627) were screened in a greenhouse to assess their resistance to individual infections of CCYV and CuLCrV. These lines were compared against a susceptible cultivar Gentry in two separate trials. PI 171627 displayed delayed symptoms, a reduced virus load, and a smaller area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared with PI 171625 and susceptible cultivar Gentry when the plants were infected with CCYV. However, the AUDPC for CuLCrV was the same for both genotypes and the commercial line. Accession PI 171627, which displayed delayed and milder symptoms, could potentially provide a source for resistance against CCYV for breeding program. Future research is needed to comprehend the underlaying mechanism to understand this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diversitas Journal is the property of Diversitas Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chemical weed control in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) often relies on herbicide applications made at planting, which results in weed escapes later in the growing season. The use of postemergence herbicides in row middles is useful, especially in no-till pumpkin production, but there are limited effective options. We conducted field research in 2023 at Wanatah and Lafayette, IN, USA, to evaluate ‘Bayhorse Gold’ pumpkin response to carfentrazone, glufosinate, and glyphosate applied to 10% of the vine tip 5 weeks after planting. A non-treated control was included for comparison. Pooled across both locations at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment, glyphosate resulted in greater visible foliar injury (32%, 21%, and 9%, respectively) than carfentrazone (16%, 8%, and 5%, respectively) or glufosinate (13%, 8%, and 6%, respectively). Injury did not differ among the herbicide treatments at 6 weeks after treatment; crop injury was 9% for glyphosate, 7% for carfentrazone, and 6% for glufosinate. The nontreated control yielded 2420 orange pumpkins/acre weighing 48,016 lb/acre, which was statistically similar to plots treated with glyphosate (2766 pumpkins and 50,684 lb/acre), carfentrazone (2593 pumpkins and 50,303 lb/acre), and glufosinate (3111 pumpkins and 54,495 lb/acre). All treatments resulted in 346 green and 173 nonmarketable pumpkin fruit (

A Cucurbita phloem exudate lectin (CPL) from summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) fruits was isolated and its sugar-binding properties and biological activities were studied. The lectin was purified by affinity chromatography and the hemagglutination assay method was used to determine its pH, heat stability, metal-dependency and sugar specificity. Antimicrobial and anticancer activities were also studied by disc diffusion assays and in vivo and in vitro methods. The molecular weight of CPL was 30 ± 1 KDa and it was stable at different pH (5.0 to 9.0) and temperatures (30 to 60 °C). CPL recovered its hemagglutination activity in the presence of Ca2+. 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, lactose, rhamnose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine strongly inhibited the activity. With an LC50 value of 265 µg/mL, CPL was moderately toxic and exhibited bacteriostatic, bactericidal and antibiofilm activities against different pathogenic bacteria. It also exhibited marked antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and agglutinated A. flavus spores. In vivo antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice was observed when CPL exerted 36.44% and 66.66% growth inhibition at doses of 3.0 mg/kg/day and 6.0 mg/kg/day, respectively. A 12-day treatment by CPL could reverse their RBC and WBC counts as well as restore the hemoglobin percentage to normal levels. The MTT assay of CPL performed against human breast (MCF-7) and lung (A-549) cancer cell lines showed 29.53% and 18.30% of inhibitory activity at concentrations of 128 and 256 µg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Dieldrin is an Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) which, due to its persistence in agricultural soils, continues to be a source of contamination for crops, especially Cucurbita pepo L. subsp pepo (C. pepo L.). The latter are able to absorb dieldrin from contaminated soils and transfer it from the roots to the shoots. However, dieldrin allocation has been partially studied, especially in the shoots. This study aims at characterizing dieldrin distribution in the different plant organs according to soil contamination and plant growth. Methods: This was achieved by growing C. pepo L. 'Allegria' in soil mixtures presenting 5 levels of dieldrin concentration (< 1 to 145 µg kg−1) and by harvesting them after different exposure periods (30, 90 and 140 d after transplant). Results: The results showed (i) the predominance of the root impregnation path, (ii) that dieldrin concentration in the vegetative organs of C. pepo L. 'Allegria' increased with soil concentration while (iii) it stabilized for reproductive organs at soil concentrations exceeding 50 µg kg−1 DW. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for vegetative organs were classified as follows: stems (70) > roots (47) > leaves (19). Furthermore, the mass distribution of dieldrin was more dependent on variations in organ mass fraction with plant development than variations of dieldrin concentration in the different organs. Conclusions: These results are of main importance for (i) the identification of dieldrin contaminated agricultural plots using phytoscreening methods as well as for (ii) their phytomanagement providing crucial allocation information for phytoextraction purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), is an economically important vegetable worldwide. This study evaluated the susceptibilities of yellow squash and zucchini cultivars to MEAM1 across three growing seasons in the southeastern United States: summer 2021, fall 2021, and fall 2022. Commercially available cultivars squash and zucchini were examined for resistance to MEAM1 infestations and yield performance. Weekly MEAM1 adult, egg, and nymph counts were conducted over 5 (fall 2022) or 6 (summer and fall 2021) weeks beginning after the third week of planting in each season. In general, MEAM1 adult populations were high at the first week of sampling but decreased in the subsequent weeks. The Zucchini cultivar 'Black Beauty' had the highest number of MEAM1 adults, and 'Green Eclipse Zucchini' had the lowest adult counts in summer 2021. For yellow squash, 'Early Summer' and 'Amberpic 8455' were identified as the cultivars that harbored the highest populations of adults in 2021, whereas 'Golden Goose Hybrid' harbored the least number of adult infestations in fall 2022. Generally, MEAM1 egg counts trailed adult peak populations. For yield performance, 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid', 'Lioness', 'Fortune', and 'Golden Glory' achieved the highest yields. These results provide valuable information for whitefly management in yellow squash and zucchini based on host plant resistance and yield. The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), causes significant losses to vegetable crops directly by sap-feeding, inducing plant physiological disorders, and elevating the build-up of sooty mold, and indirectly by transmitting plant viruses. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of 20 yellow squash and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) cultivars to MEAM1, across three growing seasons in the southeastern United States. Weekly sampling of the numbers of MEAM1 adults, nymphs, and eggs were conducted from the fourth week after seed sowing and across 6 weeks during the summer and fall of 2021 and five weeks during the fall of 2022. In general, adult whitefly populations were high during the first week of sampling but decreased as the seasons progressed. The zucchini cultivar 'Black Beauty' harbored the most adults, while 'Green Eclipse Zucchini' was the least attractive zucchini cultivar to the adults in fall 2022. For yellow squash, 'Early Summer' (summer 2021) and 'Amberpic 8455' (summer 2021 and fall 2022) were the cultivars with the highest adult populations, while 'Lioness' (summer 2021) and 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid' (fall 2022) harbored the lowest adult counts. The whitefly egg counts across both vegetables trailed those of adults and peaked in the second week of sampling. The counts of nymphs increased as the seasons progressed, but there was a decline after the second week during fall 2021. For the yellow squash cultivars, 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid', (summer 2021 and fall 2022), 'Lioness', and 'Fortune' (summer 2021) recorded the highest yields. For zucchini, 'Golden Glory' (summer 2021) was the top performer. These results provide valuable information for whitefly management in yellow squash and zucchini based on host plant susceptibility and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Scientific Journal of Agricultural Sciences (SJAS) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rice straw lignin was extracted via alkaline hydrolysis and structurally characterized using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectra. Ethyl acetate extract of acid solubilized lignin was found to contain p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid as major phenolic acids which were isolated and characterized using spectral data. Amides of isolated phenolic acids were synthesized by their reaction with propyl and butyl amines using microwave irradiation and analysed using spectral studies. Phenolic acids and amides were evaluated for their effect on pollen germination and tube growth in pumpkin. Pollen tube length was significantly increased with N-butyl-3-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylamide and N-butyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylamide at 5 ppm concentration than the control. These results could be utilised in increasing pollen tube length of Cucurbita pepo while making interspecific cross between C. moschata and C. pepo in order to transfer hull-less character of C. pepo to virus resistant C. moschata genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years Bio-lubricants much desired in numerous applications in machineries due to their renewable characteristics, which have high biodegradable nature and produce fewer pollutants compared to mineral-based lubricants. Thus, in this paper, the effect of bio-lubricant (Cucurbita Pepo L. seed oil) on wear and friction characteristics in pin on disc tester is studied and compared with commercially available lubricant SAE20W40. Tests were conducted at different loads of 10 N, 50 N, 100 N, 150 N and 200 N at a constant speed of 3 m/s for 60 min to evaluate the behaviour of friction coefficient (COF) and wear at a temperature of 28°C and 100°C. It is observed from the results that, the COF decreases whereas, the wear increases with the rise in temperature and load. Cucurbita pepo L. seed oil (CPO) resulted in a lower wear rate in comparison to commercial SAE20W40. Wear scars on the surface lubricated with SAE20W40 show a rougher surface compared to the pin lubricated with CPO at both lower temperature (28°C) and higher temperature (100°C). This shows that CPO has better lubricity than SAE20W40. The present work indicates that CPO can be a possible substitute to mineral-based lubricant SAE20W40 for higher-temperature workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, for the agricultural season 2022–2023 to evaluate the effect of a biofertilizer prepared using wheat straw–Agaricus bisporus mushroom compost and foliar spray with potassium or boron. Their interactions on flower growth and yield of the squash plant, Cucurbita pepo L. (Squash Ahmed F1 hybrid), were determined. The experiment was factorial (3 × 4) as a randomized complete block design with two factors and three replicates. The first factor was planting soil treatment with straw composted by A. bisporus at three levels of 0, 1, and 2 g/plant at four true leaves stage. The second factor was spraying with 2 mL/L of potassium or boron or a combined treatment of both. The results showed that the biofertilization treatment with straw-mushroom compost was superior in increasing the number of pistillate flowers, reaching 15.26 flowers/plant, the average sexual ratio of 0.67%, and the fruit set of 65.86%, compared to the control treatment where 13.76 flowers/plant, 0.60% sexual ratio, and fruit set of 58.98%, respectively, was recorded. The foliar spray with boron at 2 mg/L was significantly effective in increasing the same parameters by 15.27 flowers/plant, 0.69%, and 64.67%, respectively, compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, seed and oil yields, protein, and moisture ratios of seeds of four different types of pumpkin seed varieties, namely Palancı population, VD1sn8, and VD1sn6 hybrid varieties and commercial variety grown in Edirne conditions in 2014 and 2015. Also, this study aimed to determine the change of fatty acid, tocopherol, and sterol composition of mentioned pumpkin seed varieties in three different periods from seed formation to final harvest time. During the ripening period, it was obtained that the oil yield increased, the moisture content of pumpkin seeds decreased. In the last harvest period, the oil yield of pumpkin seed varieties was determined to be between 37.21% and 42.07%. Protein ratios of all pumpkin seed species were found to be very close to each other (37.94%–39.28%) and statistically similar (p > 0.05). In 2014 and 2015, the dominant fatty acids for all pumpkin seed varieties are 18:1 (39.49%–46.95%) and 18:2 (32.57%–39.26%). Except for these fatty acids, 16:0 varies between 10.65% and 13.60% in all varieties; 18:0 varies at a ratio of 5.70%–6.38%. It is seen that the dominant tocopherol isomer is γ‐tocopherol for all pumpkin seed species in all harvest periods. In the last harvest period in 2014 and 2015, the amounts of γ‐tocopherol constitute 99.98%–84.95% and 86.91%–89.86% of the total tocopherol, respectively. It was observed that the tocopherol composition changed during the ripening period in all pumpkin seed species (p < 0.05). In general, the amount of sterols decreased during the ripening period for all cultivars in 2014 and 2015. In order from the highest to the least, β‐sitosterol, 5,24‐stigmastadienol, campesterol, Δ‐5 avenasterol, and stigmasterol were determined as phytosterols in pumpkin seed oils. Generally, β‐sitosterol ratios in all varieties were high in the 1st harvest period, decreased slightly in the 2nd harvest period, increased again until the 3rd harvest period and reached the values in the 1st harvest period in both 2014 and 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Alternative and affordable tick control strategies are crucial to control and prevent tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal efficacy of 35 aqueous plant extracts (17%) against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii. Results: The phytochemical profile indicated the presence of various secondary substances. Plants were classified into three groups according to their mortality percentage 15 days post-treatment with 17%. This highly effective group (91%–95%) comprised Ocimum basilicum, Mespilus germanica, and Viola alpine followed by Carum carvi, Cucurbita pepo (peel), and Peganum harmala. A moderately effective group (80%–90%) included Acacia nilotica, Apium graveolens, Capsicum annuum, Ceratonia siliqua, Cucurbita pepo (seeds), Equisetum arvense, Eruca sativa, Ginkgo biloba, Plantago psyllium, Phyllanthus emblica, Punica granatum, and Ziziphus spinachristi. The 20 remaining plants were assigned to the less effective group (< 80%). Viscum album (58.3%), which was the least effective reference plant. The high potency of six plant extracts as acaricides may be attributed to the high content of active principles, e.g., phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. Conclusion: All of these highly effective plants are recommended for use as an acaricide, in case of facing acaricidal resistance or limited options for tick control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo) have been a familiar item at produce stands for decades in the United States and Canada, but little known or appreciated elsewhere. Following the breeding and development of sweet-fleshed acorn squash in Israel and its commercial introduction in 2007, acorn squash became a high-priced, popular produce item there. Scarcity of supply in winter has led to attempts to fill the consumer demand by using available protected cultivation infrastructure in the relatively mild area of southwestern Israel for production. Such production has proven feasible but it was not determined whether it would be preferable to allow the plants to simply grow sprawling on the ground or vertically, using trellises to train the plants to grow erect. Two sweet acorn squash hybrid cultivars differing in fruit size were compared, growing on the ground or on trellises, for yield, quality, and storability of the fruits. The hybrids bore fully ripe fruits from December through February, producing 56% higher yields when trellised rather than when allowed to grow on the ground. The fruits of trellised plants of both hybrids were more uniformly black-green and firmer than those of ground-grown plants. Their dry matter content at harvest and after 78 days of storage was very high, averaging 28% and 25%, respectively. Total soluble solids content of the fruit flesh from trellised plants was 19% at harvest and an extraordinary 20% after storage at 10°C, 70% RH. The fruit flesh of trellised plants was also more highly colored and had higher carotenoid, ascorbate, and anti-oxidant contents. Overall, trellising of sweet acorn squash during the winter under protected cultivation resulted in significantly higher yields and the finest fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to determine some genetic parameters of summer squash (cucurbita pepo L.), half diallel cross among eight inbred lines carried out in summer season 2021 at field of College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok. The experiment lay out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that the mean square for all genotypes was highly significant effect in all studied traits. The inbred lines LBL2 and CNS2881 was superior in yield plant-1 obtained 9.67 kg and 10.94 kg, the crosses (CNS2881 x PEP1670) and (PEP1670 x N33133) recorded the highest value 13.83 and 13.53 respectively. The crosses (PEP512 x, CNS2881), (CNS2881 x PEP1670) and (PEP1670 x N33133) revealed significant heterosis for most traits. The heritability in broad sense was higher than narrow sense heritability in all traits ranged between 0.949 and 0.827 for fruit diameter and fruit weight. The average degree of dominance was higher than one in all traits except fruit length and fruit diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a valuable vegetable with a high content of bioactive compounds. The present study aims to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) parameters to achieve the highest yield of total phenolic content (TPC) from its pulp (PPU) and peel (PPE). Response surface methodology (RSM) in conjunction with central composite design was used. The factors considered were (i) ethanol concentration, (ii) microwave power level, (iii), irradiation time and (iv) solid to liquid ratio. The models obtained produced a satisfactory fit to the data regarding to TP extraction with desirabilities of 0.99 and 0.83, for PPU and PPE, respectively. The optimum conditions for their extraction were found to be ethanol concentration 60%, microwave power 300 W, extraction time 138.67s and a solid-to-liquid ratio 1/30 g/mL for PPU. And for PPE, they were ethanol concentration of 46.42%, microwave power of 100 W, extraction time of 180 s and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1/36.33 g/mL. Under these optimized conditions, the experimental maximum yields of TPC were 795.41 ± 20.21 and 548.09 ± 13.68 mg GAE/100 g dry weight, respectively for PPU and PPE which was in close agreement with predicted values, thus indicating the suitability of the developed models. The antioxidant activity of the optimized extracts was determined using DPPH· and ABTS·+ radicals scavenging, ferric reducing power (FRAP) and total antioxidant activity (TAA). In the entire tests, PPU extract exhibited the best capacities with IC50 of 1324.45 ± 16.57, 1992.85 ± 34.55, 476.51 ± 1.63 and 480.67 ± 10.50 µg/mL in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and TAA assays, respectively. Nevertheless, both optimized extracts revealed a moderate antimicrobial effect. According to FT-IR analysis, all found functional groups support the occurrence of phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds in the optimized extracts. The study revealed the effectiveness of MAE in enhancing the phenolic yield of PPU and PPE in a reduced time and lower solvent consuming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this research was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the Cucurbita pepo fruit. Given the adverse effects associated with long-term use or excessive doses of conventional anti-inflammatory medications, exploring herbal therapies as alternatives has become increasingly important. Methods: Various preliminary tests and antioxidant assays, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, were conducted on the C. pepo fruit. Bioactive substances present in the fruit, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, amino acids, triterpenoids, and saponin glycosides, were identified through early analysis. Different extraction solvents, such as chloroform, methanol, and water, were utilized to extract samples. The methanolic extract was subjected to further testing for its in vitro anti-inflammatory characteristics. This involved evaluating their ability to stabilize RBC membranes, inhibit protein denaturation, and suppress proteinase activity using two concentrations (150 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml) of the extract. Results: The methanolic extract of the C. pepo fruit exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity in both DPPH and H2O2 assays. Moreover, it demonstrated the dose-dependent stabilization of RBC membranes, resulting in reduced hemolysis, protein denaturation, and proteinase activity. These findings suggest potent anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract. Conclusion: This research study has found that the C. pepo fruit methanolic extract significantly reduced inflammation. This demonstrates the promise of natural chemicals as less risky substitutes for traditional anti-inflammatory medications. Potentially safe and efficient treatments for inflammatory illnesses could be found in herbal remedies such as the C. pepo fruit. Therefore, this study highlights the significance of exploring herbal remedies as a potential treatment option for inflammation-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Agricolas is the property of University of Narino, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Floral scents play a crucial role in attracting insect pollinators. Among the compounds attractive to pollinators is 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (1,4-DMB). It is a significant contributor to the scent profile of plants from various genera, including economically important Cucurbita species. Despite its importance, the biosynthetic pathway for the formation of 1,4-DMB was not elucidated so far. Results: In this study we showed the catalysis of 1,4-DMB in the presence of 4-methoxyphenol (4-MP) by protein extract from Styrian oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) flowers. Based on this finding, we identified a novel O-methyltransferase gene, Cp4MP-OMT, whose expression is highly upregulated in the volatile-producing tissue of pumpkin flowers when compared to vegetative tissues. OMT activity was verified by purified recombinant Cp4MP-OMT, illustrating its ability to catalyse the methylation of 4-MP to 1,4-DMB in the presence of cofactor SAM (S-(5′-adenosyl)-L-methionine). Conclusions: Cp4MP-OMT is a novel O-methyltransferase from C. pepo, responsible for the final step in the biosynthesis of the floral scent compound 1,4-DMB. Considering the significance of 1,4-DMB in attracting insects for pollination and in the further course fruit formation, enhanced understanding of its biosynthetic pathways holds great promise for both ecological insights and advancements in plant breeding initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WRKY gene family is crucial for regulating plant growth and development. However, the WRKY gene is rarely studied in naked kernel formation in hull-less Cucurbita pepo L. (HLCP), a natural mutant that lacks the seed coat. In this research, 76 WRKY genes were identified through bioinformatics-based methods in C. pepo, and their phylogenetics, conserved motifs, synteny, collinearity, and temporal expression during seed coat development were analyzed. The results showed that 76 CpWRKYs were identified and categorized into three main groups (I−III), with Group II further divided into five subgroups (IIa−IIe). Moreover, 31 segmental duplication events were identified in 49 CpWRKY genes. A synteny analysis revealed that C. pepo shared more collinear regions with cucumber than with melon. Furthermore, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) results indicated the differential expression of CpWRKYs across different varieties, with notable variations in seed coat development between HLCP and CP being attributed to differences in CpWRKY5 expression. To investigate this further, CpWRKY5-overexpression tobacco plants were generated, resulting in increased lignin content and an upregulation of related genes, as confirmed by qRT-PCR. This study offers valuable insights for future functional investigations of CpWRKY genes and presents novel information for understanding the regulation mechanism of lignin synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Cucurbita seeds was performed using ultrasound amplitude of 50%, temperature of 57 °C and 54 min sonication time. The major phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of bioactive compounds on the oxidative stability of ground mutton at refrigerated temperature was evaluated. The values of pH, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and sensorial evaluation were performed during storage of samples considering 5-day intervals. According to the results, coumaric acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid were detected in the bioactive compounds extracted while coumaric acid (14.36 ± 0.17 mg/g) showed the highest content among the others. The highest value of PV was determined in the negative control, while the lower values were observed in the samples treated with natural and then synthetic bioactive compounds during 15 days of storage at 4 °C. According to the results from sensorial analysis, the improved characteristics of color, odor, and total acceptance were observed in the treated samples with the bioactive compounds obtained from Cucurbita seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new disease syndrome of zucchini squash was observed in Southern Italy, in 2018 and again in 2020. Affected plants were severely stunted and leaves were bent downwards, small, stiff, thick, leathery, and had interveinal chloroses. In addition, flowers were virescent and fruits were deformed and often cracked. Disease incidence was 20 and 30% in two different zucchini cultivations in Campania region (Southern Italy). Tomato yellow leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) was detected in eight samples, by loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based (LAMP) kit and by PCR and Sanger sequencing of the AV1 gene. Phytoplasmas were detected in the same samples using nested PCR assays with primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2. Phytoplasma associations in plant samples were confirmed using specific primers for the multilocus genes SecY, tuf and rp. Sequence comparison of multilocus genes and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA gene confirmed the association of a phytoplasma strain closely related to 'Candidiatus Phytoplamsa asteris'. This is the first report of mixed infections of ToLCNDV and a putative 'Ca. Phytoplamsa asteris' strain in zucchini, associated with a new Squash-Phytoplasma-Begomovirus (SqPB) disease syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical exercise and the subsequent recovery processes have been proposed to affect the essential hemostatic balance of trace elements, either by increasing degradation rates or by enhancing loss from the body. This might disturb the function of vital metabolic organs, such as muscles and liver, leading to unsatisfactory performance. It appears that taking advantage of mineral-rich herbal supplements could replenish the body's mineral sources. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Cucurbita pepo supplementation on exercise-induced dynamics of micronutrients in serum, liver, and skeletal muscle of Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (aged 4 - 6 weeks old, weighing 130 - 150 g) were randomly divided into four groups of ten rats each: (1) Saline control group (SC), (2) training at 25 m/min group (ST), (3) pumpkin seed oil supplementation group (PC), and (4) pumpkin seed oil supplementation + Training at 25m/min (PT). Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (25 m/min, eliciting approximately 65% VO2Peak) and consumption of pumpkin seed oil (4 ml/kg/day) were conducted for 6 weeks. The ICP-OES technique was used to measure plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) approximately 48 to 72 hours after the final session of the training protocol. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests (P < 0.05). Results: No significant changes in serum Fe (P = 0.728) and Mn (P = 0.52) levels, as well as liver tissue levels of Zn (P = 0.633), Fe (P = 0.512), Mn (P = 0.194), Mg (P = 0.156), and Cu (P = 0.711), were observed among the intervention groups. However, all trace mineral element (TME) concentrations, except for Cu (P = 0.907) in the gastrocnemius tissue, significantly changed among the study groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the results of the Bonferroni test showed that six weeks of moderate physical activity decreased the serum, liver, and gastrocnemius levels of TMEs, and subsequent supplementation with pumpkin seed oil played a replenishing role in preserving the resources. Conclusions: Pumpkin seed oil supplementation was demonstrated to be an effective ergogenic aid for the up-regulation and replenishment of exercise-induced TME excretion from the liver, gastrocnemius, and body fluids in healthy rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A abobrinha italiana, da família das Cucurbitáceas, é uma planta de grande importância econômica para diversas regiões do país, devido apresentarem excelente fonte de vitaminas e minerais. Por apresentar ciclo curto, a cultura da abobrinha é muito exigente em nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação via foliar de diferentes concentrações de cálcio tendo como fonte nitrato de Cálcio (Calcinit®), na produção, podridão e firmeza de frutos de abobrinha italiana. Utilizou-se sementes de abobrinha da variedade caserta e após seu desenvolvimento das plantas, foram realizadas aplicações via foliar em três período (antes da floração, plena floração/início da frutificação e na formação dos primeiros frutos) em diferentes concentrações (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 g L-¹) de nitrato de cálcio. Foram avaliados o número de frutos podres, produção, massa, comprimento, diâmetro e firmeza dos frutos. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com 5 diferentes concentrações de nitrato de cálcio e 5 blocos e em cada bloco contendo 6 plantas. Por meio dos resultados obtidos, foi observado que a aplicação via foliar de nitrato de cálcio não influencia na produção, comprimento, massa e diâmetro dos frutos. Já no número de frutos podres a aplicação de de 3,0 g L1 proporciona um menor número de frutos com podridão apical, e a aplicação de 9,0 g L1 auxilia em uma maior firmeza dos frutos.

Podosphaera xanthii is the main causal agent of powdery mildew (PM) disease for Cucurbita pepo. Disease control is attained principally by applications of chemical fungicides, along with parallel use of tolerant crop varieties and alternate application of elicitors to control development of disease resistance. To get insight into C. pepo molecular responses to P. xanthii infection and elicitor treatment we studied the proteomic profile differences at the phyllosphere of a zucchini cultivar susceptible to PM, at the onset of P. xanthii (PX) infection and after application of Reynoutria sachalinensis (RS) plant extract, respectively, using a nano-LC-HRMS/MS, Q-Exactive-Orbitrap approach. Analysis of peptide sequences regarding four treatment groups (Control; PX; RS; and RSPX (PX-infected priorly treated with RS)) resulted in 2070 CuGenDB annotations. Three comparisons (treatments vs. Control) encompassed most of the Differentially Expressed Proteins (DEPs). In these three comparisons, KEGG and Gene Ontology functional analyses highlighted unique differentially enriched pathways—some of which included highly expressed proteins—in PX-related (proteasome, pentose phosphate pathway, and carbon fixation), RS-related (biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, flavonoids, and starch and sucrose metabolism), and RSPX-related (pyruvate metabolism and polycomb repressive complex) comparisons, respectively, suggesting distinct mechanisms of early plant responses modulated by PX and RS. Furthermore, in four out of six comparisons the thiamine metabolism pathway was found to be enriched, suggesting a pivotal role in PX-induced responses.

Research on the production of field crops in semi-arid regions mainly focuses on irrigation and climate change adaptation because these are emphasized as the practices determining yields of field crops in these regions. The need to evolve research in this direction is important because general crop production systems in all regions can adopt the findings from this kind of research during unforeseen drought conditions. Research on fertilizers is usually treated as a secondary factor or neglected despite it being an important practice for crops growing in semi-arid regions. Fertilization affects parameters that are responsible for metabolism, physiology, morphology, and subsequent crop yields under drought conditions. This literature review focused on dual-yield crops’ response to fertilization and the potential for researchers to employ these responses for the improvement of cultivations and yields in semi-arid regions. These findings indicated that the application of various nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) fertilizers is common and based on broadcasting and banding techniques. The split application of N, P, and K fertilizers is mostly employed to adjust the metabolism, physiology, and morphology of crops at different growth stages so that the crops can be exposed to water shortages. These adjustments can be used to increase or decrease the water use efficiency of the crops, which is highly associated with biological and economic yields. Research on micro-elements in dual-yield crops is currently very limited. Multidimensional future research based on the effects of micro-elements on the metabolism, physiology, and morphology of dual-yield crops is recommended. This research must be conducted with the aim of enhancing water use efficiency.

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Botany explores the role of CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2B (CpCUC2B) gene in sex determination in Cucurbita pepo, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. The study found that CpCUC2B, a transcription factor-coding gene, is regulated by the miR164 miRNA pathway and plays a critical role in determining sex in C. pepo. The research sheds light on the complex mechanisms of sex determination in plants and has important implications for crop breeding efforts. Understanding plant sex determination is crucial for improving plant productivity and resilience in the face of climate change and food insecurity. [Extracted from the article]

The sex determination process in cucurbits involves the control of stamen or carpel development during the specification of male or female flowers from a bisexual floral meristem, a function coordinated by ethylene. A gain-of-function mutation in the miR164 -binding site of CpCUC2B , ortholog of the Arabidopsis transcription factor gene CUC2 , not only produced ectopic floral meristems and organs, but also suppressed the development of carpels and promoted the development of stamens. The cuc2b mutation induced the transcription of CpCUC2B in the apical shoots of plants after female flowering but repressed other CUC genes regulated by miR164 , suggesting a conserved functional redundancy of these genes in the development of squash flowers. The synergistic androecious phenotype of the double mutant between cuc2b and etr2b , an ethylene-insensitive mutation that enhances the production of male flowers, demonstrated that CpCUC2B arrests the development of carpels independently of ethylene and CpWIP1B. The transcriptional regulation of CpCUC1 , CpCUC2 , and ethylene genes in cuc2b and ethylene mutants also confirms this conclusion. However, the epistasis of cuc2b over aco1a , a mutation that suppresses stamen arrest in female flowers, and the down-regulation of CpACS27A in cuc2b female apical shoots, indicated that CpCUC2B promotes stamen development by suppressing the late ethylene production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]