Introduction to the World of Cucurbits
SQUASH! It's consumed all over the world. I should be a little broader by what I mean... Cucurbitaceae. But what is so interesting and important about this plant family? In the U.S., we may think of cucurbits as the pumpkins we carve at Halloween or the watermelon we eat in the summer or maybe the loofa you use to scrub your back. It may not cross our minds how cucurbits are ingrained into our own culture and cultures across the globe. If we dive into the world of cucurbits, there is tremendous diversity in the uses and appearance! Learn more about Cucurbits here! And stay tuned to be emersed in the diversity of cucurbits!! My name is Marlie Lukach. I am a Ph.D. Student at Cornell University in the Plant Breeding and Genetics program. I am exploring plant breeding through the lenses of culture and food security, to better understand the future goals needed for everyone to have access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods. Additionally, I am interested in i...