Abstract
The plant. Sechium edule Sw. belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. The plant is originated in Mexico and is cultivated today in many tropical countries. This robust monoïc liana gives pear-shaped fruit (often named chayote) and, under certain conditions, edible tubers rich in starch. The fruit has low edible sugar content and is interesting on the dietetic point of view. Cultivation. Chayotte is generally cultivated under arbour, in wetlands at moderate temperatures. Its cultivation is easy and the yields are often high. Chayotte is sometimes attacked by Oïdium, Mycosphaella melonis and nematodes. These pests can effectively be controlled using adequate treatments. Valorisation. The principal limitation for the industrial development and for exportations of S. edule is its too short post-harvest conservation. More satisfactory results were obtained when the fruit was packed under plastic film and stored at about 10 °C. The shelf-life was extended if this treatment was combined with λ irradiation. Conclusion. Nowadays, the various parts of the plant are only processed on a small-scale. Studies in varieties' improvement must be developed to allow chayotte industrial processing.