Morphological and agronomical characterisation of Sicilian bottle gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley

Local plant populations represent a valuable source of genetic variability. Lagenaria siceraria [Mol.] Standl. is a monoecious species of Cucurbitaceae grown in India and parts of the Mediterranean for its immature fruit and young leaves used as vegetables. The species is a high-value crop in Sicily where several landraces are grown in open field and in plastic greenhouse. The aim of this study was to characterise five Sicilian L. siceraria landraces (G1-G5), from a morphological and agronomical point of view. Genetic resource characterisation was carried out as a foundation for future conservation and breeding works. Fourteen qualitative and quantitative characters were assessed by using the NPGR (National Plant Genetic Resources) descriptor for L. siceraria. In addition, total production per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, and total produced biomass were recorded. Analysis of the variance (ANOVA) for 18 quantitative traits showed statistical significant differences among the landraces tested, both due to morphological and agronomical characters. The present study showed that although Sicily is not the centre of genetic diversity for L. siceraria, Sicilian landraces may represent a reliable source of genetic variability and therefore, deserve particular attention for future conservation, cultivation and breeding improvement.