Collection and characterization of landraces of culinary melon (Cucumis melo L.) in Kerala

Abstract

A study was carried out to characterize the landraces of culinary melons Cucumis melo L. in Kerala at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Forty two collections were evaluated for morphology, yield, yield attributes and reaction to the incidence of virus disease. The genetic parameters, correlation and path coefficients were studied and a selection index was formulated to identify superior genotypes. Landraces showed significant difference for all the characters except number of primary branches, branch of first male and female flower production. CM~, collected from Kattakada, (Thiruvananthapuram) was the top yielder. Landraces viz., CM 5 (Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram), CM 17 (Kalavoor, Kottayam), CM 3 (Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram), CM 36 (Kattapana, Idukki) were superior in mosaic virus resistance and yield. CM 18 (Manimala, Pathanamthitta) and CM 33 (Velloor, Kottayam) were found resistant with medium yield. GCV and PCV were highest for yield per plant followed by fruit weight, fruit per plant, keeping quality of fruits and 1000 seed weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was noted for fruit length, 1000 seed weight, average fruit weight and keeping quality of fruit indicating scope for the improvement through selection. Vine length, leaf area index, fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length and fruit girth had high positive correlation with yield whereas days to produce first male flower, days to produce first female flower, days to first harvest and node of appearance of first female flower had a negative correlation with yield. Path analysis revealed fruits per plant, length of fruit and girth of fruit as primary contributions to yield. A selection index was constructed based on the yield per plant and eight yield contributing characters. The landraces CM 5 (Kattakkada, Thiruvananthapurarn), CM 48 (Periya, Wayanad), CM 6 (Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram), CM 3 (Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram), CM 36 (Kattapana, Idukki), CM 46 (Perinthalmanna, Malappuram), CM 17 (Kalavoor, Kottayam), CM 35 (Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam), CM 50 (Kanhangad, Kasaragod), CM 7 (Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram) were identified as elite in terms of yield, field attributes and resistance against mosaic virus disease incidence.