Evaluation of Eighteen Thong Lanna Pumpkin Varieties

Abstract

Eighteen varieties of Thong Lanna pumpkin have been registered as new plant varieties under the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1999 through a collaboration between Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna and the National Science and Technology Development Agency. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of these 18 Thong Lanna varieties alongside 4 standard varieties. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block (RCB) with three replicates over three seasons (November 2019 to March 2021) at an experimental plot in Lampang Province. A combined analysis in RCB across the three seasons revealed no statistically significant differences in harvest period, total solid content, soluble solid content of raw and cooked flesh, or firmness of raw and cooked samples. The Thong Lanna varieties exhibited a harvest period that averaged 7.9 and 3.9 days longer than the standard varieties. Total solids content in Thong Lanna varieties averaged 17.7 and 18.4%, which was lower than the standard varieties, though Thong Lanna varieties 11, 17, 18, as well as standard varieties 1 and 2, contained solid above 19.0%. The soluble solids content of raw and cooked flesh was also slightly lower in Thong Lanna varieties (averaging 9.9 and 10.9%, respectively) compared to standard varieties (10.2 and 11.1%). Notably, Thong Lanna varieties 10 and 17 achieved soluble solids content exceeding 11.0%. During the rainy season (June to November 2020), yields increased, with higher number of fruits per plant and greater fruit weight observed. By applying independent culling selection, Thong Lanna varieties 17, 10, 18, 1, 6, 8 and 14 were identified as having superior economic traits compared to standard variety B.