Phenotypic traits of Cucumis melo L. cv. Tacapa and commercial melon cultivars based on multilocation and multiseason trials

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the fruit crops belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It has a potential for plant breeding and is favored by people. Tacapa constitutes one of plant breeding products derived from a cross between ♀ PI 371795 and ♂ A434 and a testcross with PI 371795. Tania is a breeding product derived from a backcross between Tacapa and PI 371795. Talita is a breeding product derived from a testcross between Tacapa and A434. The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of phenotypic traits of the melon cultivar Tacapa based on multilocation and multiseason trials and the superiority of phenotypic traits of the melon cultivar Tacapa relative to commercial melon cultivars based on multilocation and multiseason trials. The present study was conducted in June 2013 to November 2014 in three different locations, Sleman Regency of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Magetan Regency of East Java Province and Kebumen Regency of Central Java Province. Multiseason trials were carried out during the wet season in June to November 2013 and in the dry season in May to November 2014. Observation of the melon’s phenotypic traits was conducted in the Laboratory of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The study used the commercial melon cultivars A434, Honey Globe, Sun Lady, Orio, and Kalila as a comparison. Data of the qualitative phenotypic traits of the melon cultivars Tacapa, Tania, Talita and those of commercial cultivars were analyzed by ANOVA using the software PKBTSTAT 2.02 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Multilocation and multiseason trials showed that Tacapa had stability regarding seed cavity shape, rind color, netting clarity, flesh color, aroma, and texture of the flesh. Additionally, Tacapa had superiority regarding netting density over commercial cultivars.