PARTICIPATORY GENETIC IMPROVEMENT IN CHAYOTE

Abstract

With the aim of improving productivity and competitiveness of the chayote crop and its commercialization, a participatory genetic improvement (PGI) program was carried out in two agroclimate areas in Veracruz and one in San Luis Potosí, México, during 1997-2010. Stratified visual massal selection was used, considering nine main activities of participatory work that included agronomic variables and standards from the Codex alimentarius. Three improved varieties were obtained, which were legally registered and which respond to three segments of the foreign market. There is record of commercial production.