ABSTRACT
Melons, pumpkins, squashes and gourds belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which is native to Africa but grows well in most tropical and subtropical climates and in temperate climates with long, warm and humid summers. Important genera in this family are Cucurbita, Citrullus, Lageneria, Telfaria and Luffa, all of which produce seeds that have potential for use in the nutrition of swine and poultry, particularly in the tropics.
