Abstract
Abstract Cultivated and wild accessions of Cucumis melo L. were evaluated for salt tolerance to identify germplasm useful in breeding programs. Entries were tested for seed germination and seedling emergence in a -6.0 bar osmotic solution of NaCl + CaCl2 (2:1 molar ratio) under laboratory conditions. Seedling growth was measured in the greenhouse as fresh weight of plants grown in sand cultures irrigated with saline nutrient solutions of -0.3, -1.7, and -3.3 bars osmotic potential. Salinity decreased emergence and growth, but quantitative responses varied with differences in environmental conditions between experiments. A wide range of variation in response to salt stress was found for both emergence and vegetative growth. Several plant introductions had better emergence rates and growth than the cultivar ‘Top Mark’ under saline conditions. Salt tolerance exhibited by these introductions may be useful in breeding programs to improve muskmelon performance under saline conditions.
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