Parthenocarpy is a trait in which fruit set and development are induced without fertilization, thereby contributing to labor saving in fruit production. In Cucurbita species, parthenocarpic cultivars have been reported in Cucurbita pepo, but not in Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata. In this regard, the identification of parthenocarpic cultivars and clarification of their characteristics will contribute greatly to the research and breeding of the parthenocarpic trait in Cucurbita species. In this study, we aimed to genetically screen diverse Cucurbita accessions for high parthenocarpic ability and to elucidate the characteristics of the parthenocarpic cultivars discovered by the screening. We screened 33 accessions from squash genetic resources and found that a Cucurbita moschata cultivar, ‘Miyazaki-wase No. 1’, exhibited parthenocarpy. In order to clarify the characteristics, we examined the fruit set rate, fruit expansion, and fruit quality of ‘Miyazaki-wase No. 1’. In the spring and fall experiments, the fruit set rate of parthenocarpic fruit was lower than that of pollinated fruit. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the transverse diameter and weight of parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits at harvest. These results indicated that the fruit set ability of parthenocarpic fruit is inferior to that of pollinated fruit, although the fruit expansion ability of parthenocarpic fruit was almost the same as that of pollinated fruit. In addition, we compared the composition of parthenocarpic fruit with that of pollinated fruit at harvest and after storage in the fall experiment. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in all the examined compositions between the parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits at harvest. On the other hand, the β-carotene concentration of parthenocarpic fruit was significantly lower than that of pollinated fruit one month and two months after harvest. These results indicated that parthenocarpic fruit development did not affect fruit quality at harvest, but had an effect on β-carotene metabolism during storage. We showed that ‘Miyazaki-wase No. 1’ is a parthenocarpic cultivar and clarified its characteristics. Based on the results, progress in research and breeding of parthenocarpic cultivars in Cucurbita species is anticipated in the future.

单性结实是一种无需受精即可诱导结实和发育的特性，从而有助于节省水果生产中的劳动力。在南瓜属物种中，已报道了南瓜属中的单性结实品种，但在最大南瓜属和西葫芦中没有报道。在这方面，单性结实品种的鉴定和其特征的澄清将大大有助于南瓜属物种的单性结实性状的研究和育种。在这项研究中，我们旨在通过遗传筛选各种南瓜种具有较高的单性结实能力并阐明通过筛选发现的单性结实品种的特征。我们从南瓜的遗传资源中筛选了33个种质，发现南瓜属南瓜品种“宫崎号1号”表现出单性结实。为了弄清特性，我们研究了“宫崎早稻一号”的坐果率，坐果率和果实品质。在春季和秋季的实验中，单性结实的果实的结实率低于授粉的结实率。另一方面，收获时单性结实的和授粉的果实的横向直径和重量没有显着差异。这些结果表明，尽管单性结实果实的结实能力与授粉的果实几乎相同，但单性结实的果实的结实能力却低于授粉的果实。此外，我们在秋季试验中比较了收获时和贮藏后单性结实果实与授粉果实的成分。结果表明，收获时单性结实的和授粉的果实之间所有检查的成分均无显着差异。另一方面，收获后一个月和两个月，单性结实果实的β-胡萝卜素浓度显着低于授粉果实。这些结果表明，单性结实的果实发育在收获时不影响果实品质，但是对贮藏期间的β-胡萝卜素代谢有影响。我们证明“宫崎早稻一号”是单性结实品种，并阐明了其特性。根据研究结果，我国单性结实品种的研究和育种进展。收获后1个月和2个月，单性结实果实的β-胡萝卜素浓度显着低于授粉果实。这些结果表明，单性结实的果实发育在收获时不影响果实品质，但是对贮藏期间的β-胡萝卜素代谢有影响。我们证明“宫崎早稻一号”是单性结实品种，并阐明了其特性。根据研究结果，我国单性结实品种的研究和育种进展。收获后1个月和2个月，单性结实果实的β-胡萝卜素浓度显着低于授粉果实。这些结果表明，单性结实的果实发育在收获时不影响果实品质，但是对贮藏期间的β-胡萝卜素代谢有影响。我们证明“宫崎早稻一号”是单性结实品种，并阐明了其特性。根据结果​​，单性结实品种的研究和育种进展。1'是单性结实品种，并阐明了其特性。根据研究结果，我国单性结实品种的研究和育种进展。1'是单性结实品种，并阐明了其特性。根据研究结果，我国单性结实品种的研究和育种进展。葫芦科物种有望在未来出现。