Abstract

Squash (Cucurbita spp.) is a common component in traditional cropping systems in Mexico, mainly in the agroecosystem known as the "milpa", in which squash is cultivated in association with maize (Zea mays), the main crop. Using a questionnaire, 80 farmers were interviewed about crop production and selection practices in order to understand how these factors affect genetic diversity of local squash populations. We found that the most of the farmers who cultivate squash were elderly 59.8 +/- 14.5 (mean +/- SD; n = 78) years old. Squash varieties in the area were exclusively locally adapted landraces, and had not been replaced by modern squash cultivars. Two cultivated squash species, C. argyrosperma ssp. argyrosperma and C. moschata, had been grown intercropped with maize by 97.5% of the interviewed farmers, but only 50.0% were still producing squash at the time of the study. Farmers recognize typical characteristics of particular varieties within each of the local cultivated squash species, and selection is directed to maintain their identity. Nearly two thirds of the farmers (62.0%) had exchanged seeds of squash for planting, a practice that serves to increase genetic variability in the populations. All of the interviewed farmers were conscious of the possible hybridization between the wild gourd (C. argyrosperma ssp. sororia) and their cultivated squash. Despite various natural and human managed factors identified as contributing to enhancement of genetic diversity in these populations, results of the study show that genetic erosion of Cucurbita is likely in the region in the near future.