Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae, a family of crops that is an important source of food throughout the world. While not as important as the cereals or oilseed crops, such as soybean, nor other vegetable crops such as potatoes and tomatoes, cucurbits are nevertheless grown on significant acreages worldwide. In 1998, cantaloupes and other melons were grown on 1 044 672 hectares, producing 17 764 188 metric tonnes of food; cucumbers and gherkins were grown on 1 567 389 hectares, producing 26 673 943 metric tonnes; while pumpkins, squash, and gourds were grown on 1 136 083 hectares, producing 14 169 983 metric tonnes (FAO, 1998). Cucurbit crops, including squash, are used for food in all regions of the world, but are also used for oil and other non-food uses, such as musical instruments or household implements.