Organography and Plant Histology of Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae)

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With this new delivery, I resume the manuscripts on organography and plant histology, this time I will share with all users of the HIVE platform and especially with lovers of botanical content, descriptive information of the species Cucurbita maxima (CUCURBITACEAE) with the firm intention of contributing to the dissemination of scientific-technical and nutritional elements of this important plant resource.

Introduction

Cucurbita maxima, is a species of herbaceous biotype of climbing category, this vegetal resource belonging to the family of the Cucurbitaceae, is widely consumed in North America and South America, this because, its edible fruits contain sources of macros and essential micronutrients for the feeding [1].

The availability of macros and micronutrients, which have the organographic structures of Cucurbita maxima, has been throughout history the main reason for its agricultural domestication, particularly by the high percentage of carbohydrates available in the mesocarp of its fruits, in addition to the oil and protein content in the seeds [2].

Consequently, starting from the botanical and utilitarian foundations shown by the Cucurbita maxima, the aim of this post is to describe the organographic and histological characteristics and food properties of this important biological resource.

Fig. 2 Vegetative structures of Cucurbita maxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.


Biological classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Orde: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Gender: Cucurbita
Species: maxima

Common names

In the particular case of Venezuela a Cucurbita maxima, is distinguished as Auyama, however, in the rest of the countries of North, Central and South America it is usually identified as Squash.

Food properties

According to information reported by the FAO, the Cucurbita maxima is widely cultivated, not only for its agronomic viability and economic profitability, but also for the nutritional contributions and safety offered by its fruits [4].

It is estimated that the fruits of Cucurbita maxima, have acceptable nutritional properties with carbohydrate values above 10%, protein 15%, in addition to vitamin A, minerals and fiber, without ignoring the high proportion of water reported in 90% of total weight, a beneficial element for healthy intake [5].

These nutritional properties, places the fruit of Squash Cucurbita maxima, as a high quality food that can be consumed in fresh state, dehydrated or after having been submitted to cooking, gastronomically in Venezuela it is used in the preparation of soups, cakes, creams and desserts, additionally flours can be elaborated in the search of prolonging the durability of its biomass.

Besides the fruit, the seeds of Squash Cucurbita maxima, as they have considerable lipid values, are appreciated by the oilseed industries for oil extraction, essential fatty acid values estimated at 40% of the total dry weight of seeds of C. maxima have been reported [5].

Origin and distribution

The Cucurbita maxima, originates from the American continent, specifically from Central America, with an extensive tropical and subtropical distribution. It can be established geographically in temperate latitudes due to its characteristics of ecological adaptability [2].

Botanical description

Way of life

The Squash, as it is designated in Venezuela, has a biotype of herbaceous condition and annual.

Root

he species Cucurbita maxima, develops relatively thick pivot roots, and adventitious roots at the vegetative nodes of the stem.

Stem

It has cylindrical, semi-upright and climbing stems, which emit vegetative tendrils of helical morphology and phytomechanical, which allow it to prostrate on various physical structures.

Fig. 3 Creeping, semi-straight and climbing stems of Cucurbita máxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Leaf

Cucurbita maxima, has simple petiole insertion leaf blades, with reniform morphology, lobed edge, accumulated apex, sagittal base, webbed rib, alternate phyllotaxy and depigmented segments.

Fig. 4 Leaves of Cucurbita maxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Flower

The flowers are monoic (both sexes in the same individual), with floral units of yellow coloration, pentameras and corolla of flared morphology, biologically they present dehiscence in the first hours of the day.

Fig. 5 Reproductive structures of Cucurbita máxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Fruit

The Squash, exhibits big fruits type berry of ovarian ínfera formation, of fleshy mesocarp and rounded to elliptical morphology.

Fig. 6 Fruit type berry of Cucurbita maxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Seeds

Cucurbita maxima, has seeds with an oval appearance and oil content.

Reproduction

Sexual reproduction

The Squash Cucurbita máxima, presents a system of sexual reproduction mediated perennially by entomophilic cross-pollination [2].

Asexual reproduction

Biologically no propagation or vegetative regeneration.

Growth

Phenologically it presents a short cycle system, registering an accelerated vegetative growth in the first 30 days, starting from this period the emission of the reproductive structures, and finishing the filling of the fruits between 3 and 4 months after the germination, this active development that shows Cucurbita máxima, is favored by having motor structures like the tendrils, which allow it to make certain movements in search of light photons [5].

Fig. 7 Spiral and phytomechanical earrings from Cucurbita maxima . Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Ecology

Cucurbita maxima, can develop in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates, however, their vegetative and reproductive structures show their maximum potential, at temperatures ranging from 18 to 25 °C, relative humidity around 70%, preferably acidic soils rich in organic matter.

Histology and organography

Microscopic study

In order to extend the existing information, a histological study was developed on the vegetative structures of Cucurbita maxima, using the optical microscope for the morphological characterization at the level of tissues, the same was executed in the laboratory of Botany of the UNESUR - Venezuela.

Collection

The vegetative material of Cucurbita maxima, was collected from the short cycle cultivation area of UNESUR, a university institution located in Santa Bárbara, municipality of Colón in the state of Zulia - Venezuela.

Histological identification

The vegetative structures of Cucurbita maxima, were placed in containers with water to guarantee the maintenance of the turgidity of the tissues, later they were transferred to the laboratory facilities of Botany of the UNESUR.

Materials and reagents used

  • Plants of Cucurbita maxima
  • Carrier sheets and coverslips
  • Botanical dissection team
  • Petri dishes
  • Optical microscope
  • Distilled water
  • Lugol
  • Safranin
  • Floroglucin

Tissue observation

The histological structures of Cucurbita maxima, were observed using OPTIKA brand microscopes, for the identification of epidermal tissue, photosynthetic mesophilic, transverse, longitudinal and tangential cuts were made to the leaves (both sides), first proceeded to focus at 4x to locate tissues and then changed to 10x, for morphological characterization.

For the observation of xylem conduction and phloem tissues, cross sections were made to young petioles and stems of Cucurbita máxima.

Histological results

Epidermal characterization

The adaxial and abaxial epidermis of Cucurbita maxima, has cells with rounded to irregular and pyliferous morphology, with pluricellular trichomes protruding from the leaf lamina.

Fig. 8 On the right side, there is a detailed cross section of Cucurbita maxima, on the left side there is a histological description. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Stomatic characterization and epidermal excrescences

The observed stomas are located in Amphistomatic disposition, this indicates that they are located on both sides of the leaf blades of Cucurbita maxima. In relation to the type of stoma observed, it was found to be anomocytic, in relation to the epidermal excrescences, unisex pluricellular trichomes were found in the form of hairs with a visible structural plane (base, body and head).

Fig. 9 On the right side, it is detailed the parts of the trichome pluricellular, on the left side it is shown cross section of leaf petiole of Cucurbita maxima. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Parenchymal characterization

The foliar laminae of Cucurbita maxima, exhibit mesophyll with palatal and spongy parenchymal cells of irregular morphology, followed by colenchymal cells with appreciable angular thickening.

Xylematic and phloematic characterization

Histological sections made to young petioles and stem of Cucurbita maxima, showed excretions in the form of pluricellular trichomes, followed by epidermis, rounded parenchymal and cholenchymal cells with angular thickening, with vascular bundles of bicolateral aspect arranged in rings.

On the right side, the cross section of the petiole of Cucurbita maxima is detailed, on the left side a histological description is indicated. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS PUBLICATION


  • It is relevant to indicate, that the organographic, morpho-anatomical, histological description of the plant species Cucurbita maxima, supported with food information, includes unpublished contributions within the HIVE social network, when referring to the content of plant morphology and utilitarian botany of the Squash as a resource of agricultural and food interest, On the other hand, the socialization of each scientific and technical topic treated in the post, provides in a referential way, taxonomic details of recognition for future morphological and histological descriptions, such as the phytomechanical capacity of the helical tendrils of C. maxima.


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED AND CITED:


[1] Jeffrey C. A review of the Cucurbitaceae. Botanical J. Linnean Soc. 1980; 81: 233-234. Article: Online access

[2] Díez M., and Nuez F. Cucurbit Genetic Resources in Europe. Ad hoc meeting. 2002; 19. Article: Online access

[3] Schaefer H., and Renner S. Cucurbitaceae. Flowering Plants. Eudicots: Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae. 2010; 112 - 174. Article: Online access

[4] FAO. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Proyecto de revisión de la clasificación de alimentos y piensos: Grupos de hortalizas seleccionadas grupo 011: hortalizas de fruto, Cucurbitáceas. 2016. Article: Online access

[5] Rodríguez R., Valdés R., Ortiz G. Características agronómicas y calidad nutricional de los frutos y semillas de zapallo Cucurbita sp. Rev Colombiana Cienc Anim. 2018; 10; 1: 86 - 97. Article: Online access


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Hi @lupafilotaxia this is in the same family with Cucumis sativus popularly known as cucumber . It is very popular and nutritious here in Africa. It has high water percentage and rich in potassium too. Your histological study of this plant is really interesting. Well done.

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(Edited)

Cucumis sativus, in fact is also located within the Cucurbitaceae family, here in South America the vernacular descriptor Cucumber is also used to refer to this plant material. In Venezuela, in most homes it is cut into thin slices for the preparation of salads, in the case of the region where I live it is consumed almost daily. Thank you @steep2308 for leaving your comment.

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Great work dear professor @lupafilotaxia, an excellent description of a crop widely used in the South area of Lake Maracaibo, These plants show great aggressiveness when referring to coverage of the area where it is planted, as well as being highly adaptable to tropical conditions.

Very complete the writing, have a great weekend !

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Thus that dear friend @amestjy, the tropical regions have ideal conditions for the potential establishment of Cucurbita maxima. In the case of the southern eco-region of Lake Maracaibo - Venezuela, it shows the best yields of this important food resource.

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