ABSTRACT Cucurbita maxima Duch. is one of the most diversified Cucurbita species worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic relationship between and within Tunisian and Italian Cucurbita maxima germplasm collections using morphological and molecular markers. The phenotypic parameters showed a large qualitative variability, primarily according to fruit-related traits, for both collections. The RAPD, ISSR and SRAP molecular marker systems used turned out to be effective in discriminating all the accessions. Among the Tunisian collection, the polymorphic information content (PIC) and genetic diversity (H) values were of 0.461 and 0.50 respectively, with a total of 96% of polymorphism detected. The Italian collection revealed a PIC and H values of 0.454 and 0.50 respectively and 90% of polymorphism. Population structure analysis reflected the geographical origin of the accessions and helped to classify the Tunisian collection into two populations and to group all the Italian accessions into one. The results suggest that the combination of morphological and molecular approaches is a highly reliable technique in studying and evaluating Cucurbita maxima germplasm which represents an important genetic resource to be preserved and used in breeding programs.

中文翻译：

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西葫芦 Duch。种群分析：突尼斯和意大利种质的关系

摘要 葫芦科植物 Duch。是世界上最多样化的葫芦科植物之一。本研究的目的是使用形态学和分子标记评估突尼斯和意大利大葫芦种质资源之间和内部的遗传关系。两个集合的表型参数显示出很大的质量变异，主要是根据水果相关的性状。使用的 RAPD、ISSR 和 SRAP 分子标记系统被证明在区分所有种质方面是有效的。在突尼斯集合中，多态信息含量 (PIC) 和遗传多样性 (H) 值分别为 0.461 和 0.50，总共检测到 96% 的多态性。意大利集合显示 PIC 和 H 值分别为 0.454 和 0.50，多态性为 90%。种群结构分析反映了种质的地理起源，有助于将突尼斯收藏品分为两个种群，并将所有意大利种质归为一个种群。结果表明，形态学和分子学方法的结合是研究和评价葫芦科植物种质的一种高度可靠的技术，葫芦科植物种质是一种重要的遗传资源，需要保存和用于育种计划。