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Cucumeropsis mannii
''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is a species of melon native to tropical Africa west of the East African Rift, where it is grown for food and as a source of oil.
Its common names include egusi in Yoruba and agushi in Hausa. In English it is known as Mann's cucumeropsis and white-seed melon. It produces climbing vines up to 4 meters long which are covered in stiff hairs. The heart-shaped or roughly palmate leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and 14 wide. It bears small yellow male and female flowers with petals under a centimeter in length. The fruit is egg-shaped or an elongated ovate shape, up to about 19 centimeters long and 8 wide, and cream in color with green streaks. The fruit and white seeds are edible. The plant is grown more often for the seed oil than for the fruit.
''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Vernacular names for this crop include egusi-itoo and white seed melon.〔[http://database.prota.org/PROTAhtml/Cucumeropsis%20mannii_En.htm Egunjobi, J.K. & Adebisi, A.A. (2004). "''Cucumeropsis mannii'' Naudin". Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Ed). PROTA 2: Vegetables/Légumes. CD-Rom. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands〕 This crop is often referred to as “the real egusi” given its long history in West Africa, dating back 4,000 years.〔Kortse , P. A., & Oladiran, J. A. (2013). "The effects of leaf colour at fruit harvest and fruit after-ripening duration on (''Cucumeropsis mannii'' Naudin) seed quality". Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 190-191〕 This crop is primarily harvested for its large white seeds called egusi-itoo. The seeds are commonly processed into soups and oil products, and are also eaten individually as a snack.〔National Research Council. (2006) p. 161〕 Benefits of ''Cucumeropsis mannii'' crops are many. The crop thrives in harsh climates and high yields are attainable in barren landscapes. Pests and disease are rarely a problem for farmers of this crop. Further benefits include increased soil quality through ground cover and suppression of weeds.〔National Research Council. (2006). p. 158〕 This crop also holds significant nutritional value. Oil makes up 44% of the seed, where 30% is protein rich in essential amino acids.〔National Research Council. (2006). p. 157〕 The seed is an excellent vegetable protein, and is ideal for battling nutritional debilitations. High in essential vitamins and minerals, egusi-itoo compliments the starch and grain diet of most Africans.〔National Research Council. (2006). p. 162〕 Despite the crops obvious advantages, ''Cucumeropsis mannii'' remains an underutilized tool for nutritional intervention in Africa.
== Growing Conditions ==
''Cucumeropsis mannii'' is propagated entirely by seed. In the transitional zone of West Africa this crop is sown during the major rainy season〔 between March and May.〔 Here the soils are rich in organic matter with a high rainfall of 1,400 mm distributed April–October. Propagation starts after the first couple heavy rainfalls of the season. Holes around 2 cm deep and 1 m apart are planted with 3-4 seeds in each.〔 A complete fertilizer should be applied before the propagation, with periodical application of nitrogenous fertilizer to follow.〔 Growing methods contrast in the northern savannahs where conditions are more challenging with low fertility and organic matter. Rainfall in this zone is small at 800 mm annually. Cucumeropsis mannii is more successful in this area as a mixed crop, specifically grown in the ridges of sorghum crops. In more challenged areas this crop should be spaced at least 3 m apart, greatly decreasing per-hectare production.〔 After 6–8 months, around September–December the fruit are ready for harvest.〔 The physical signs of ripe fruit include creamy colour and dried stems and leaves. Each plant averages at 2-5 fruits, each weighing 0.8-1.8 kg and containing 90-400 seeds.〔
抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』
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