Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Aburaihan Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Iran.
2 Department of Agronomy & Plant Breeding, Faculty of Aburaihan Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Pakdasht,
3 Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is cultivated as an important agricultural crop in many parts of the country and has a high share in the Iranian household basket. Cantaloupe seed breeding has been underway at Aburaihan campus for years as part of a comprehensive breeding program, with the aim of improving the agronomic and qualitative characteristics of this crop. This study aimed to prepare an identity card and determine the differentiation of 6 domestically produced hybrid cultivars along with their 14 parental lines through a detailed examination of their morphological and phenotypic traits based on UPOV (International Union for the Protection of Plant Varieties) guidelines.
Method: In this study, hybrid cantaloupe hybrids and their parental lines along with six commercial control cultivars were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications and examined according to the differentiation, uniformity, and stability test protocol. The quantitative data collected were analyzed and ranked using the clustering method and the qualitative data were analyzed and ranked using the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine the genotypic differences and genetic diversity among the lines and hybrids.
Results: The test results showed that the lines and hybrids studied were significantly different from each other in terms of the evaluated traits, including flesh firmness, flesh color, cork density of the skin surface, groove depth, inflorescence location, fruit separation from the peduncle, and fruit shape. Also, cluster analysis showed a strong parental effect on the characteristics of the hybrids and significant genetic diversity was observed among different cultivars and hybrids. In terms of fruit weight, hybrids H165, H148 and H152 with fruit weight above 1.5 kg showed superior performance compared to all control cultivars and were able to achieve a superior position in terms of marketability. Also, in terms of soluble solids index, which indicates the sweetness of the fruit, hybrids H167, H82 and H70 recorded values above 14, which were better than the native control cultivars such as Samsuri and Saveh.
Conclusion: The findings of the study, in addition to the detailed description of the studied hybrids and lines, can be the basis for future decisions for the development of new varieties and breeding of cantaloupe seeds in Iran and other similar regions. The H148, H164 and H167 hybrids were identified as promising hybrids in terms of the combination of quantitative and qualitative characteristics, if succeed in stability and regional tests, could be introduced as commercial hybrids. In addition to high yield, these hybrids had desirable characteristics such as resistance to viral infections and excellent appearance and quality characteristics.
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