The trunk squash: A pre-Columbian crop present in the Horticultural Belt of La Plata (Argentine)

Abstract

Background and aims. The horticultural belt of La Plata is one of the most important productive regions of the province of Buenos Aires. It comprises large producers who supply the central market of La Plata and other regions of the country, as well as a group of non-capitalized family producers who sell their products at fairs and markets in the city. Among their typical products, the trunk squash (Cucurbita maxima subsp. maxima var. zapallito) is a regional vegetable that stands out for being widely used in the preparation of various meals. The objective of this work is to survey the local botanical knowledge of small producers in La Plata whose variety has cultural and regional importance.

M&M. For this reason, adopting an ethnobotanical methodology, semi-structured interviews and direct observation were carried out with sixteen key informants from the region, who depicted experiences, practices and stories as regards the management of this crop. 

Results. The families that produce trunk squash, mostly of Bolivian nationality, choose to cultivate this vegetable for its profitability, low cost and tradition. The small producers have managed to adapt to the environmental conditions of a different scenario and they have learned to respond to the horticultural requirements of the region with the resources they handle. 

Conclusions. It is through this set of knowledge and its practice that local producers have succeeded in preserving this variety of the species, so important for the region and for America.