International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 250-262 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 252 The dispersal of Cucurbita species to other continents following European contact underscores their global importance and adaptability (Paris, 2017). Modern genetic studies continue to shed light on the domestication processes and the genetic diversity of pumpkins, revealing complex histories of independent domestication events and gene flow between wild and domesticated populations (Barrera-Redondo et al., 2021; Kates et al., 2021). The domestication of pumpkins is a testament to the ingenuity of early human societies and their ability to adapt and cultivate plants for their nutritional and cultural needs. The integration of archaeological, historical, and genetic evidence provides a comprehensive understanding of the domestication and evolution of this important crop. 3 Geographical Origins of Domesticated Pumpkins 3.1 Native regions of wild pumpkins Wild pumpkins, belonging to the genus Cucurbita, are native to the Americas. The ancestral species of domesticated pumpkins were widely distributed across the New World. Evidence suggests that wild pumpkin species were once broadly spread across what is now the United States, Mexico, and Central America. The genus Cucurbita includes multiple species, among which zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is one of the earliest domesticated species. These wild forms adapted to various ecological environments, often thriving in disturbed habitats created by large herbivores (Kistler et al., 2015; Kates et al., 2017; Chomicki et al., 2019). Genetic and archaeological evidence indicates that the wild ancestors of domesticated pumpkins proliferated in the semi-arid and arid regions of these areas, growing alongside a diverse plant community. These wild pumpkins likely had small, bitter fruits, which were initially unappealing to humans, but due to their nutrient-rich seeds, they gradually came to be utilized by humans (Chomicki et al., 2019). Studies have found that two wild pumpkin species, Cucurbita foetidissima and C. radicans, which grow in the arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and the United States, are nutritionally rich. C. foetidissima has larger fruits and a higher number of seeds, with seeds rich in non-polar compounds, while C. radicans has seeds with higher protein content (Mejía-Morales et al., 2021). 3.2 Spread of pumpkin cultivation in ancient times The domestication of pumpkins began approximately 10,000 years ago in the Americas. As early human societies recognized the value of pumpkins and began selecting for larger, sweeter fruits with thinner rinds, pumpkin cultivation gradually spread beyond its native regions. The spread of pumpkin cultivation was driven by human migration and trade, and by the time Europeans made contact with the Americas in 1492, Indigenous peoples had already developed various cultivated pumpkin populations (Kistler et al., 2015; Paris, 2016). Archaeological evidence, including seeds found in ancient fecal deposits and pictorial records, indicates that pumpkins were being cultivated in several regions of Central America, including present-day Mexico and Central America, between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago (Lombardo et al., 2020). The spread of pumpkin cultivation was closely linked to the rise of early agricultural societies, which facilitated the dissemination of pumpkin seeds and cultivation techniques across different ecological zones. As these early cultivators migrated or engaged in trade, pumpkins gradually spread northward into what is now the United States and southward into South America. The pumpkin's ability to adapt to a variety of climatic conditions provided favorable conditions for its widespread dissemination. 3.3 Key regions of early pumpkin domestication Key regions for the early domestication of pumpkins include the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Research indicates that Cucurbita argyrosperma was domesticated in the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico, primarily for its edible seeds (Barrera-Redondo et al., 2021). Cucurbita moschata, another important species of pumpkin, is widely distributed in regions such as Mexico, the United States, and Peru. Studies have shown that Cucurbita moschata exhibits high genetic diversity, particularly among varieties found in Africa and South Asia (Lee et al., 2020). Cucurbita
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