Fertility and Fruit Characters of Hybrid Triploid Melon.

Abstract

Thirteen triploid hybrid lines of melon (Cucumis melo L.) were derived from crosses involving five tetraploid lines and seven diploid lines. Fertility and fruit characters of the triploid hybrids were assessed. When allowed to open-pollinate in field plots with adjacent diploid pollinators, eight triploid genotypes were sterile or nearly sterile (less than 1 o/o viable seed). Five triploid genotypes were partially fertile (viable seed 6-36 %). Staining and morphology of pollen grains from partially fertile hybrids indicated viable pollen grains were present. Cytological analyses performed on progeny of a partially fertile triploid plant fertilized by open pollination indicated euploid female gametes were common. Triploid hybrids between tetraploid 'Miniloup' and several other diploid parents had vegetative and fruit characteristics intermediate to the parents. Most triploid genotypes yielded round fruit. Sugar levels of some triploid hybirds were as high as diploid parents.