Evaluation of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes for growth, yield and quality traits

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of muskmelon genotypes for different traits attributing for growth, yield and quality at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the genotypes used for investigation, early harvest was obtained from Mysore Local (70.35 days) followed by Dharwad Local (70.95 days). Dharwad Local recorded highest number of fruits per vine (5.64) followed by GWL-1 (4.31). The genotype Dharwad Local recorded the highest yield (8.31 kg / plant) followed by Mysore Local (5.15 kg / plant) and Tindivanam Local (4.02 kg / plant). The maximum beta carotene content was observed in the genotypes Kashi Madhu (17.97 µg / g) followed by  Yanakandla (16.74 µg / g) and Tindivanam Local (16.30 µg / g). The genotype Yanakandla recorded the highest value of TSS (14.04° Brix) followed by Kashi Madhu (11.60° Brix). Based on their performance Dharwad Local, Kashi Madhu, Yanakandla and Tindivanam Local can be used for further breeding programme to produce promising hybrids that could be exploited for cultivation in muskmelon.