Oil marrow (Cucurbita pepo, var. oleifera)

Hulless-seeded pumpkin, Naked-seeded pumpkin, Oil pumpkins, Oil squash, Oil marrow, Oil-bearing gourd, Styrian pumpkin.

The oil marrow developed from marrow /squash/pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) by a spontaneous mutation. Unlike the marrow, pericarp cells of the oil marrow do not lignify so the seeds are called husk-free. In the breeding of oil marrows, the Viennese professor of Czech origin Erich Cermak played an important role.

Seeds

Importance and seed composition:

Marrow seed is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. By-products of oil extraction, cake and meal can be used as protein feed for livestock. For human consumption both whole seeds (for direct consumption or ingredients to various pastry kinds) and oil. Cold-pressed oil is regarded as one of the healthiest oils. It has a favourable effect on blood circulation and endocrine glands, therefore it is used for various pharmaceutical products.

Seeds contain 45-50 % oil, 32-38 % crude protein, 3-5 % carbohydrates, 2-4 % crude fibre, and 4-6 % minerals. It is high in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and some microelements, particularly zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. It contains vitamins E, B₁, B₂, B₆, A and D.

 Cultivation requirements:

Marrow is a demanding thermophilic plant with a short vegetation period. It requires a high nutrient and  water supply. For marrow cultivation, unshaded plot is suitable, without waterlogged parts, weed infestation and with deep humous soil. In the crop pattern it is included after cereals, alfalfa or corn. It is a good previous crop for wheat and corn. It is sown only in the middle of May to avoid damage of coming up plants by frost. Harvest takes place in the end of September to the beginning of October. During machine harvesting, the machine squashes fruits (pumpkins) and collects only seeds. Remainders of fruits can be used for livestock feeding or ploughed in soil as organic fertilizer. After the harvest, seeds must be rinsed to remove pulp residues and dried to avoid moulding. It is also necessary to avoid seed damage because this causes fat rancidity and deterioration.