Postharvest losses in storage of hybrid squashes "Kabutía" (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata)

cases study

Abstract

Since begining of the 90's in Uruguay, local landraces of squash "criollo" cultivars squash (Cucurbita pepo, Duch.) were increasengly replaced by hybrid "kabutia" squash (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita nwschata ). FromMay to November, 1995 post-harvest losses during storage in three real production situation were quantified and their cause detennined. Two clifferent periods were identified during storage, the first one from May to August with months losses of 5 to 8% and the second period from Setember to November with months looses of 10 to 19%. Toe main causes of fruits los ses during storage in the three farm under study cases fungi rot (Fusarium, sp.), 54,7% and bacterial rot (Xanthomona campestris, pv. cucurbitae), 36,5%. There were losses of fruits caused by insects.