Variation in growth, nutrition and phytochemicals of sequentially harvested shoots and fruits, and genetic studies of Lagenaria siceraria landraces in South Africa
type: CreativeWork
description: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is valued for its many uses, serving as a crucial food source with edible plant parts such as leaves, shoots, fruit pulp, and seeds. However, studies on L. siceraria regarding the relationship between shoot, peduncle and fruit traits during growth; nutritional and phytochemical composition of sequentially harvested shoots and fruits; as well as genetic diversity among landraces using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, are limited. These studies are crucial for enhancing plant physiological understanding, optimizing crop yields, improving nutritional value, and preserving genetic diversity in L. siceraria. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to correlate shoot, peduncle, and fruits’ traits during growth; compare the nutritional composition of shoots and fruits, and phytochemical profile of fruits harvested at different maturity stages; and assess the genetic variability using SNP markers in L. siceraria landraces sourced from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, South Africa. Multivariate analyses were conducted along with the estimations of heritability. Harvested shoot, peduncle, and fruit traits showed significant variation (p < 0.05) within each growth period and at different growth stages. Peduncles of all landraces became shorter and thicker when fruits were elongating and widening, from 0–5 days after anthesis (DAA). Positive correlations were notable among all shoot traits (shoot length, shoot width, shoot fresh mass, shoot dry mass, and shoot moisture content), and peduncle width correlating with fruit length and width. The first three principal components explained 85% of the total variability. Clustering identified three main groups, with singlets for landraces KRI and NSRC. Landraces were clustered according to peduncle and fruit sizes, as well as availability of harvestable shoots. High heritability estimates were recorded for peduncle length (55.2%) and shoot…
abstract: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is valued for its many uses, serving as a crucial food source with edible plant parts such as leaves, shoots, fruit pulp, and seeds. However, studies on L. siceraria regarding the relationship between shoot, peduncle and fruit traits during growth; nutritional and phytochemical composition of sequentially harvested shoots and fruits; as well as genetic diversity among landraces using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, are limited. These studies are crucial for enhancing plant physiological understanding, optimizing crop yields, improving nutritional value, and preserving genetic diversity in L. siceraria. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to correlate shoot, peduncle, and fruits’ traits during growth; compare the nutritional composition of shoots and fruits, and phytochemical profile of fruits harvested at different maturity stages; and assess the genetic variability using SNP markers in L. siceraria landraces sourced from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, South Africa. Multivariate analyses were conducted along with the estimations of heritability. Harvested shoot, peduncle, and fruit traits showed significant variation (p < 0.05) within each growth period and at different growth stages. Peduncles of all landraces became shorter and thicker when fruits were elongating and widening, from 0–5 days after anthesis (DAA). Positive correlations were notable among all shoot traits (shoot length, shoot width, shoot fresh mass, shoot dry mass, and shoot moisture content), and peduncle width correlating with fruit length and width. The first three principal components explained 85% of the total variability. Clustering identified three main groups, with singlets for landraces KRI and NSRC. Landraces were clustered according to peduncle and fruit sizes, as well as availability of harvestable shoots. High heritability estimates were recorded for peduncle length (55.2%) and shoot…
author: Buthelezi, Lungelo Given
license: https://uzspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/35941935-cbcd-4de4-aeea-f6e0d20b2e0c/download
date published: 2024
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:16:58Z
provider: University of Zululand
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zululand