Multi‐trait Selection of Pumpkin Genotypes Aimed at Reducing the Growth Habit and Improving Seed Production

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) has high food importance due to the high nutritional value of its fruit and seeds. Its seed oil is composed of similar to 70% unsaturated fatty acids, and its production can be improved by increasing the number of plants per area. Pumpkin plants with reduced growth habits can be grown in shorter spacing and produce smaller fruits, but have a greater quantity of fruits per area. This study aimed to select from F-2, BC1:1, and BC1:2 populations pumpkin genotypes with shorter internodes and higher seed productivity for oil production using the factor analysis and ideotype design (FAI-BLUP) selection index. An augmented block design (ABD) was used with four replications. The traditional model of ABD analysis was compared with the spatial model to verify the presence of errors in the local and global trends in the experimental area. There was a significant difference for all traits evaluated in both the ABD and spatial models. Based on the Akaike information criterion, the model with the best fit for all characteristics was the ABD, which was efficient in guaranteeing the independence of the residues and the absence of errors in local and global trends. In general, the characteristics expressed high values of individual heritability and accuracy. Three common factors explained the seven characteristics studied, presenting a variability of 70.98%. Six of the seven characteristics showed desirable gains of up to 63.85%. The FAI-BLUP index allowed the selection of superior pumpkin genotypes with a smaller size and higher seed productivity for oil production.