WHY NOT PUMPKIN?: A CASE FOR INCREASED PUMPKIN PRODUCTION TO REDUCE CARROT IMPORTS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Wendy-Ann Isaac1, Ezra Bartholomew1*, Isabella Granderson2, Majeed Mohammed1 , Nakisha Mark1 and Leevun Solomon1

1Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad

2Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Materials and Methods The trial was established at the University Field Station, Valsayn, Trinidad. The site has a River Estate loam soil. Three pumpkin varieties were direct-seeded in a randomized complete block design on September 2012. Plots were 60 meters long with a distance between mounds of 4 meters (10 plants/plot). The treatments included: 1. Crapaud back, 2. Bodles Globe and 3. Future NP-999) Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance and mean separation using the test for Least Significant Difference.

Results & Discussion The variety ‘Bodles globe’ produced significantly more fruit than any other cultivars in the trial (Table 1). There were significant differences in fruit number per plot among cultivars. ‘Bodles globe’ produced the largest fruit in the trial by weight, followed by ‘Crapaud back’. ‘Future NP-999’ produced the smallest fruit. Fruit length and diameter data indicate that ‘Bodles globe’ was the widest cultivar, followed by ‘Crapaud back’.

Processed (cooked) interior flesh color was also evaluated (Table 2). The darkest color tended to be the most preferred, leading to ‘Future NP-999’ and ‘Crapaud back’ receiving higher interior color ratings than other varieties.

The results of this trial suggest that the ‘Future NP-999’ offers lower yields of smaller fruit with acceptable fruit quality. Future NP-999 also rated relatively high for visual appeal with good qualities for processing.

Abstract A pumpkin cultivars trial was established in August 2012 at the University Field Station, Valsayn, Trinidad. Three cultivars were direct-seeded on plots 60 meters long with a distance of 4 meters between mounds. All fertilizer was applied according to soil test recommendations. Fruit were harvested on 21 and 29 November 2012. Top performing varieties in terms of yield per plot included ‘Bodles globe’. ‘Bodles globe also produced the largest fruit in the trial, followed by ‘Crapaud back’ and ‘’Future NP-999’. ‘The results of this trial suggest that ‘Future NP-999’ offers very high quality fruit with low yields and acceptable cooking quality, while ‘Bodles globe’ offers acceptable fruit quality, very high yields but low cooking quality. A case is made to increase pumpkin production and reduce carrot imports to improve nutrient availability of meals in school feeding programme.

Table 1. Pumpkin cultivar yield performance at UFS, Valsayn, 2012

Introduction

Pumpkin is a vegetable crop of economic importance in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries. It’s an easily grown vegetable with high nutritional value. While pumpkin is low in calories and sodium it is high in fiber, and loaded with an important antioxidant, beta- carotene, which can be converted by our body into vitamin A. Pumpkin also contains a good source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins E, C, thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, folate, potassium, copper and magnesium

In Trinidad and Tobago, current carrot production cannot meet local consumption and its cost the Government around $50 million annually to import. Whereas, pumpkin production surpasses local demand and the excess are exported. There are also opportunities for enhanced productivity through the adoption of improved pumpkin varieties in the local production systems.

This study aimed to assess the cultivars acceptable for the local fresh and processing markets and/or export.

Figure 1. Three pumpkin varieties Figure 2. Cross-section of three pumpkin varieties

Figure 3. Future NP-999 Ranked 1st for overall acceptability 2.00; low yield; recommended for local market

Figure 4. Bodles Globe Ranked 2nd for overall acceptability. Highest yielding cultivar and ranked 1st for local market score and purchase preference.

Figure 5. Crapaud back Ranked 3rd for overall quality rank: 2nd highest yield; medium to large fruit

Figure 6. Consumer preference and sensory evaluation panel

Figure 7: Versatile number of dishes prepared from pumpkin for school feeding programme

Sensory/Consumer Preference

Bodles Globe

Future NP 999

Crapaud Back

Colour Score +2.50 +1.67 +2.46

Texture Score +2.33 +2.00 +1.08

Taste Score +1.67 +1.67 +0.69

Sweetness Score 0.83 1.67 +1.46

Cooking Quality Score +1.60 +1.75 +062

Overall Acceptability Score

+2.00 +1.83 +0.46

Purchase Preference Score

+2.00 +3.20 +1.00

Recommended For Local Market Score

+1.67 +3.2 +0.56

Table 2. Consumer preference and sensory evaluation of pumpkin cultivars

Cultivar No. fruit/plot

Avg. Fruit Wt(kg)

Diameter (cm)

Length (cm)

Net Weight

(kg) Future NP-999

50 3.18 28 8 89.5

Bodles Globe

119 5.6 40.1 19.8 567.5

Crapaud Back

83 4.9 38.8 19.1 317.4

LSD 0.05 33 0.6 1.2 10.8 248.3

# 68 – P

Conclusion

Recommendations are made for new pumpkin cultivars to be introduced to the local market. Farmers can increase quantities of high quality pumpkins and products can also be introduced to the school feeding programme.