Germplasm of Cucurbitaceae in Brazil
Manoel Abílio de Queiroz
The cucurbit species represent an important agribusiness in Brazil. Main species are Cucurbita moschata, C. maxima, Cucumis melo, C. sativus, Citrullus lanatus, and Sechium edule which were introduced by African slaves and Indians. More recently, European, American and Japanese immigrants introduced some improved genotypes which were spread across the country. There are some public and private breeding programs whose genetic variability is limited. In traditional agriculture however, there is a great genetic variability which gave base to the establishment of four germplasm banks that comprise more than 4700 accessions, involving over fifteen species of which only 25% have been evaluated. Several useful genes were identified. It is necessary to further the evaluation of the rescued genetic variability and to assess the need for new collections in order to have cucurbit germplasm for long-term conservation and for breeding programs in Brazil.