African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 3 (10), pp. 541-546, October 2004           
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2004 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The value of morpho-anatomical features in the systematics of Cucurbita L.

IKECHUKWU O. AGBAGWA* and BENJAMIN C. NDUKWU

Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Correspondingauthor. E-Mail: ikejiro2002@yahoo.com.

Accepted 13 September, 2004

Comparative studies on the morphology and anatomy of the three species of Cucurbita L. (C. moschata, C. maxima and C. pepo) in Nigeria were carried out. The morphological features of significance include variations in the number of tendrils, fruit size, shape, nature of fruit stalk, leaf shape and flower colour. Seed-coat anatomy revealed four distinct zones, which varied in thickness and tissue layers.  Similarities were observed in the distribution, differentiation and number of layers of cells and tissues in the leaf, petiole and stem sections. There were, however, variations in number of bicollateral vascular bundles in their petiole. While the number is 10 in C. moschata, 14 in C.  pepo, it is 16 in C. maxima.  Parietal placentation and 15 anther-lobes are reported for these species for the first time. The usefulness of these parameters in the taxonomic delimitation of these species is discussed.

Key words: Cucurbita, morpho-anatomy, placentation, seed-coat, taxonomy, vascular bundles.