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Keywords:
Morphological markers Sex expression Fluted pumpkin Telfairia occidentalis
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Juvenile morphological markers for maleness in fluted pumpkin (<i>telfairia occidentalis</i> hook f.)
Abstract
Six hundred seeds extracted from nine pods of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) were sown in the field in 2004 and 2005 to determine the juvenile morphological markers for maleness. The result showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between the male and female fluted pumpkin with respect to days to tendril emergence. The mean number of days to tendril emergence for the males were 19 and 20 days after planting (DAP) while that of the females were 47 and 43 days after
planting (DAP) in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The females grew faster with fewer tendrils while the males were relatively slow in growth and more prolific in tendril production. The distribution of the male and female plants with respect to number of leaves from emergence to 6 weeks after planting
appears to suggest that the female plants produce leaves more profusely than the male plants. The frequency distribution with respect to the length of vine showed skewness to the right in favour of the females indicating that the females grew faster thereby producing longer vines than the males. The early and profused production of tendrils are phenotypic markers that distinguish the male from the female plants at the early growth stage of fluted pumpkin. These indicators can therefore be used
to identify and possibly cull male plants which have very poor market acceptability as a leafy vegetable.
planting (DAP) in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The females grew faster with fewer tendrils while the males were relatively slow in growth and more prolific in tendril production. The distribution of the male and female plants with respect to number of leaves from emergence to 6 weeks after planting
appears to suggest that the female plants produce leaves more profusely than the male plants. The frequency distribution with respect to the length of vine showed skewness to the right in favour of the females indicating that the females grew faster thereby producing longer vines than the males. The early and profused production of tendrils are phenotypic markers that distinguish the male from the female plants at the early growth stage of fluted pumpkin. These indicators can therefore be used
to identify and possibly cull male plants which have very poor market acceptability as a leafy vegetable.
