The study was carried out in Al-Sawairy Experimental Farm of Seiyun Agricultural Research station to evaluate 24 – landraces and varieties of local cucurbits crop collected from different locations of Wadi Hadhramout during January-April 2003. Seeds of different lines and genotypes were planted in lines in flat basins (2 lines each) in September 2004. Data on morphological, production and fruit characteristics were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that local cucurbits genotypes studied could be classified into five distinct groups on bases of their fruit, color, shape and skin touch. These were: a) the light green, long cylindrical and straight neck (41.29%); b) the light green, long oblong and curved neck (9.52%); c) spotted light green, long cylindrical form and straight neck (19.05%); d) spotted green, long cylindrical form and curved neck (4.76%); and e) light green, short cylindrical form and straight neck (9.52%). Remaining genotypes (42-86%) were of mixed nature. The study recommends that these landraces need to be preserved for genetic enhancement research programs of this crop in the future.
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