The zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) type “Negro Chileno” is the most cultivated in Chile; its fruit is conic shaped, elongated and dark green in color with light green longitudinal stripes. Plant and fruit characteristics are variable and it has a low yield potential. The scarce commercial cultivars available for this type of squash, the production and quality problems that affect the small farmer, and the high cost of seed of some hybrid cultivars, have been the motivation for this breeding project in the La Platina Research Center of the Agricultural Research Institute. Starting from plants selected from commercial plantings of the “Negro Chileno” zucchini and using self-pollination and inter-pollination methods were obtained pure lines, which were evaluated in different seasons and locations. This allowed the identification of several lines with very good growth, fruit quality and high yield potential, from which the variety Curital INIA was obtained. This new variety, of open pollination, is characterized by an erect growth habit, high fruit production at the first harvest, and an 18.9% yield increase with respect to the “Negro Chileno” type. Its fruit is of a cylindrical shape, brilliant, dark green color with light green stripes. |
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