Growth and fruit morpho-physicochemical diversity assessment of local melon genotypes

Abstract

The genetic diversity of melon genotypes obtained from northern Iraq was assessed in 2021 at the University of Sulaimani's Directorate of Garden in Qlyasan using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three blocks, using growth and fruit morpho-physicochemical characteristics. The 57 genotypes were characterized morphologically and physiochemically, and there were high significant differences between them. The values of main stem length, lateral stem length, main stem diameter, and lateral stem diameter were ranged from 20.49 to 85.84 cm, 29.45 to 92.52 cm, 0.85 to 1.77 cm, and 0.42 to 0.74 cm, respectively. The fruit weight produced by G11 achieved the highest value (1860.72 g). Antioxidant activity was increased in genotypes with higher levels of polyphenols, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed four distinct groups of genotypes based on studied traits. PCA plot revealed that fruit thickness, fruit length, fruit width, placenta weight, fruit weight, seed length, seed width, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, pH, and titratable acid were significant determinants of genetic diversity in the melon genotypes. Based on the majority of the fruit morpho-physicochemical traits, genotype G11 was regarded as the best performer. The results of this study suggested a significant degree of heterogeneity in Iraqi melon germplasm, which must be conserved and incorporated into future development projects.