International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley is a plant with high nutritional potential and high market value. However, production is relatively low due to foliar damage caused by insect pests. Two experimental were put in place during 2019 and 2020 in the village of Manfla approximately 400 km from of Abidjan in order to identify and select the most productive genotypes of L. siceraria. Thus, a comparative study of parental individuals P1 and P2, F1_d hybrids, resulting from a direct crosses, hybrids F1_ind, from an indirect crosses and the segregating F2 population F2_d and F2_ind were carried out. Phenological and agronomic parameters of all plants were measured in the presence of insect pests. The results obtained showed that P2 individuals caused more than 90% of foliar damage compared to less than 25% for P1. The level of foliar damage of individuals resulting from the cross is closer to the parent that served as a female plant. Two groups were identified. The first group consisting of P1 and F1_ind were distinguished by a low rate of foliar damage and by a high seeds number and fruits and seeds weight.

The second group composed of P2, F1_d, F2_ind and F2_d were characterized by a short reproductive cycle. However, a series of backcrossing, involving the F1 hybrid and the P2 parent, must be carried out in order to obtain early and productive individuals.