ABSTRACT:
Identification of pumpkin genotypes with high stability and adaptability provides a greater predictability of production, besides contributing positively to a market demand, due a greater uniformity of fruit. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of the genotype x environment interaction and to estimate the adaptability and phenotypic stability of pumpkin fruits (Cucurbita moschata). Data from four inbred lines (L04, L11, L12 and L20) of pumpkin fruits from the breeding program carried out at Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro State, Brasil, were evaluated. These inbred lines resulted from crossings between the landrace São João da Barra and the cultivar Caravela, and between the cultivars Caravela and Jacarezinho. This study was carried out in two locations in Rio de Janeiro State, in different seasons: Campos dos Goytacazes, (spring/summer); Campos dos Goytacazes, (fall/winter) and Itaocara, (fall/winter). The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design, with four replications and five plants per plot. The fruit descriptors evaluated were longitudinal diameter (LDF), transverse diameter (TDF), number of fruits (NF), average weight (MF) and yield (Y).The variance analysis applied to each location considered the effects of genotypes and environments as fixed. Later, a joint analysis considering the residual variance homogeneity using the Hartley test was done. In the joint analysis of variance, no significant difference was observed using the F test for all descriptors. For the genotype x environment interaction, all descriptors differed significantly, except MF, showing different behavior of pumpkin cultivars in the different environments. The Pi statistical results for the descriptors TDF, LDF, NF and Y showed that the inbred lines L11 and L12 have potential to be recommended for the consumer market of larger fruits and the manufacture of by-products, constituting an option for the farmers.
Keywords:
Cucurbita moschata; genotype by environment interaction.
