Muskmelon Plant Research Articles

Hybrid rater to quantify and measure the severity of infection and spread of infection in muskmelon

Disease severity index (DIS) is a way of calculating the percentage of infection spread across the field. The percentage of infection in each leaf has been considered at a time stamp is being calculated and based on that disease, severity of disease spread is analyzed. With the advancement in machine learning and deep learning algorithms in the field of computer vision, identification and classification of diseases is effortless. Percentage of infection in a particular leaf, disease index (DI) is calculated using image processing techniques like Otsu threshold method. With this DI and scales, grading the severity of the infection across the field can be achieved. In this paper various scales used for grading severity of infection namely Horsfall-Barratt (H-B scale) quantitative ordinal scale, Amended 20% ordinal scale, and nearest percent estimates (NPEs) in muskmelon is explored, and based on the empirical results Amended 20% ordinal scale is most efficient method of estimating the DIS is to use the midpoint of the severity scope for each class with twenty percent adjusted to ordinal scale. The results show that the density of leaves is directly proportional to spread of diseases in muskmelon plant.

Virtual analysis of machine learning models for diseases prediction in muskmelon

Muskmelon, a crop prized for its economic potential, has a relatively brief growth cycle. Disease susceptibility during this period can have a profound impact on yields, posing challenges for farmers. Environmental conditions are pivotal in disease occurrence. Unfavorable conditions reduce the likelihood of pathogens infecting vulnerable host plants as temperature and humidity influence pathogen behavior, including toxin synthesis, virulence protein production, and reproduction. Pathogens can lie dormant in the soil until suitable conditions activate them. When the right environment and host plants align, these dormant pathogens can cause outbreaks. Disease prediction becomes possible by analyzing environmental variables. Real-time data collected via strategically placed sensors focused on viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. Results indicated that the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, with a maximum tree depth of 4 and 30 trees per iteration, achieved remarkable performance, yielding an accuracy of 97%. For comparison, the XGBoost model outperformed an 8-layer Backpropagation network with 7 nodes per layer, which achieved 95% accuracy. These findings underscore XGBoost's efficacy in forecasting and mitigating muskmelon plant diseases, offering the potential for improved crop yields and agricultural sustainability.

Bacteriocins from the rhizosphere microbiome - from an agriculture perspective.

Bacteria produce and excrete a versatile and dynamic suit of compounds to defend against microbial competitors and mediate local population dynamics. These include a wide range of broad-spectrum non-ribosomally synthesized antibiotics, lytic enzymes, metabolic by-products, proteinaceous exotoxins, and ribosomally produced antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins). Most bacteria produce at least one bacteriocin. Bacteriocins are of interest in the food industry as natural preservatives and in the probiotics industry, leading to extensive studies on lactic acid bacteria (colicin produced by Escherichia coli is a model bacteriocin). Recent studies have projected use of bacteriocins in veterinary medicine and in agriculture, as biostimulants of plant growth and development and as biocontrol agents. For example, bacteriocins such as Cerein 8A, Bac-GM17, putidacin, Bac 14B, amylocyclicin have been studied for their mechanisms of anti-microbial activity. Bac IH7 promotes tomato and musk melon plant growth. Thuricin 17 (Th17) is the only bacteriocin studied extensively for plant growth promotion, including at the molecular level. Th17 functions as a bacterial signal compound, promoting plant growth in legumes and non-legumes. In Arabidopsis thaliana and Glycine max Th17 increased phytohormones IAA and SA at 24 h post treatment. At the proteome level Th17 treatment of 3-week-old A. thaliana rosettes led to >2-fold changes in activation of the carbon and energy metabolism pathway proteins, 24 h post treatment. At 250 mM NaCl stress, the control plants under osmotic-shock shut down most of carbon-metabolism and activated energy-metabolism and antioxidant pathways. Th17 treated plants, at 250 mM NaCl, retained meaningful levels of the light harvesting complex, photosystems I and II proteins and energy and antioxidant pathways were activated, so that rosettes could better withstand the salt stress. In Glycine max, Th17 helped seeds germinate in the presence of NaCl stress, and was most effective at 100 mM NaCl. The 48 h post germination proteome suggested efficient and speedier partitioning of storage proteins, activation of carbon, nitrogen and energy metabolisms in Th17 treated seeds both under optimal and 100 mM NaCl. This review focuses on the bacteriocins produced by plant-rhizosphere colonizers and plant-pathogenic bacteria, that might have uses in agriculture, veterinary, and human medicine.

Characterization and chemical composition of fatty acids content of watermelon and muskmelon cultivars in Saudi Arabia using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy

Background:The growth in the production of biodiesel, which is principally fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), has been phenomenal in the last ten years because of the general desire to cut down on the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and also as a result of the increasing cost of fossil fuels.Objective:Establish whether there is any relationship between two different species (watermelon and muskmelon) within the same family (Cucurbitaceae) on fatty acid compositions and enumerate the different fatty acids in the two species.Materials and Methods:Extraction of fatty acids from the two species and preparation the extract to gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis to determine the fatty acids compositions qualitatively and quantitatively.Results:The analyzed plants (watermelon and muskmelon) contain five saturated fatty acids; tetrdecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid with different concentrations, while muskmelon contains an extra saturated fatty acid named eicosanoic acid. The watermelon plant contains five unsaturated fatty acids while muskmelon contains three only, the two plants share in two unsaturated fatty acids named 9-hexadecenoic acid and 9-octadecenoic acid, the muskmelon plant contains higher amounts of these two acids (2.04% and 10.12%, respectively) over watermelon plant (0.88% and 0.25%, respectively).Conclusion:The chemical analysis of watermelon and muskmelon revealed that they are similar in saturated fatty acids but differ in unsaturated fatty acids which may be a criterion of differentiation between the two plants.

Crescimento do melão Pele de Sapo, em níveis de salinidade e estágio de desenvolvimento da planta

As áreas de cultivo com intensa evaporação, deficiência em drenagem e uso inadequado de fertilizantes, têm aumentado os problemas com a salinidade, prejudicando o rendimento das culturas. O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de se avaliar a alocação de massa seca do meloeiro, em função dos diferentes níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação e estágios de desenvolvimento da planta, em Mossoró, RN. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas apresentando, nas parcelas, cinco níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação (0,54, 1,48, 2,02, 3,03 e 3,90 dS m-1) e, nas subparcelas, quatro épocas de coleta de plantas em função dos estágios de seu desenvolvimento (15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após o transplante - DAT) correspondendo às fases de crescimento inicial, floração plena, frutificação plena e anterior ao início da colheita, respectivamente, com quatro repetições. Todos os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados foram afetados pela salinidade da água de irrigação. O efeito da salinidade da água sobre a área foliar específica e a massa seca das folhas, foi variável de acordo com a fase de desenvolvimento das plantas. As variáveis mais afetadas pela salinidade da água de irrigação foram a área foliar e a massa seca de frutos, com redução de 28,9 e 24,6%, respectivamente. O maior acúmulo de massa seca no meloeiro Pele de Sapo ocorreu no período entre 30 e 45 dias após o transplantio.

Effect of drip irrigation criteria on yield and quality of muskmelon grown in greenhouse conditions

Soil water plays an important role in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production, especially inside greenhouse. The object of this study was to determine the soil water content criteria at which growth and yield production of muskmelon would be optimal based on soil water measured by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) inside a plastic greenhouse when using drip irrigation. Four soil water content lest thresholds (relative to the percentage of field water capacity) for starting the irrigation (45%-I45, 55%-I55, 65%-I65, 75%-I75) were compared inside plastic greenhouse experiment in 2009. Amount of applied irrigation water for four treatments varied from 120.1 to 178.6mm. The results showed that muskmelon plant development, fruit production and quality were significantly affected under different irrigation water amounts. Higher soil water content enhanced vegetative growth through increasing the plant height and stem diameter. Variation in soil water content not only had effects on fruit size, but also had effects on fruit yield. The highest fruit yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were obtained from the treatment employing the greatest irrigation thresholds and quantity of irrigation (I75). When the thresholds of soil water content were below 65% field water capacity during the whole growth period, the mean fruit weight and yield decreased significantly. Irrigation water amount significantly affected the flesh thickness and fruit total soluble solids (TTS), soluble sugar (SS), vitamin C (Vc), soluble protein (SP) and free amino acid (FAA) content. In conclusion, treatment I75 was the optimum irrigation schedule for muskmelon grown inside plastic greenhouse.

Antisense repression of sucrose phosphate synthase in transgenic muskmelon alters plant growth and fruit development

To unravel the roles of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L.), we reduced its activity in transgenic muskmelon plants by an antisense approach. For this purpose, an 830 bp cDNA fragment of muskmelon sucrose phosphate synthase was expressed in antisense orientation behind the 35S promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus. The phenotype of the antisense plants clearly differed from that of control plants. The transgenic plant leaves were markedly smaller, and the plant height and stem diameter were obviously shorter and thinner. Transmission electron microscope observation revealed that the membrane degradation of chloroplast happened in transgenic leaves and the numbers of grana and grana lamella in the chloroplast were significantly less, suggesting that the slow growth and weaker phenotype of transgenic plants may be due to the damage of the chloroplast ultrastructure, which in turn results in the decrease of the net photosynthetic rate. The sucrose concentration and levels of sucrose phosphate synthase decreased in transgenic mature fruit, and the fruit size was smaller than the control fruit. Together, our results suggest that sucrose phosphate synthase may play an important role in regulating the muskmelon plant growth and fruit development.

Antisense suppression of an acid invertase gene (MAI1) in muskmelon alters plant growth and fruit development

To unravel the roles of soluble acid invertase in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), its activity in transgenic muskmelon plants was reduced by an antisense approach. For this purpose, a 1038 bp cDNA fragment of muskmelon soluble acid invertase was expressed in antisense orientation behind the 35S promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus. The phenotype of the antisense plants clearly differed from that of control plants. The transgenic plant leaves were markedly smaller, and the stems were obviously thinner. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that degradation of the chloroplast membrane occurred in transgenic leaves and the number of grana in the chloroplast was significantly reduced, suggesting that the slow growth and weaker phenotype of the transgenic plants may be due to damage to the chloroplast ultrastructure, which in turn resulted in a decrease in net photosynthetic rate. The sucrose concentration increased and levels of acid invertase decreased in transgenic fruit, and the fruit size was 60% smaller than that of the control. In addition, transgenic fruit reached full-slip at 25 d after pollination (DAP), approximately 5 d before the control fruit (full-slip at 30 DAP), and this accelerated maturity correlated with a dramatic elevation of ethylene production at the later stages of fruit development. Together, these results suggest that soluble acid invertase not only plays an important role during muskmelon plant and fruit development but also controls the sucrose content in muskmelon fruit.

Comparison of an Antitranspirant Spray, a Polyacrylamide Gel, and Wind Protection on Early Growth of Muskmelon

Field experiments were conducted over 4 years to evaluate the effects of antitranspirant (Folicote, Aquatrol Inc., Paulsboro, N.J.) and polyacrylamide gel (SuperSorb, Aquatrol Inc., Paulsboro, N.J.) on early growth of transplanted muskmelon grown either protected by tree windbreaks or exposed to seasonal winds. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement was used with wind protection (sheltered and exposed) areas as the main treatment and use of an antitranspirant spray or gel dip as subtreatments. Based on destructive harvests in the field, treatments and subtreatments did not affect dry weight or leaf area index in the first 2 years. Specific contrasts, however, showed that gel application significantly increased fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf area index over that of the untreated transplants whereas the spray application tended to reduce these factors during the first 3 weeks after transplanting. Significant differences between gel and spray subtreatments disappeared by 5 weeks after transplanting. Shelterbelts ameliorated crop microclimate thereby enhancing plant growth. Significantly, wind velocity at canopy height was reduced 40% on average and soil temperatures were about 4% warmer in the sheltered plots compared to the exposed plots during the first 5 weeks post-transplant. Muskmelon plants in the sheltered areas grew significantly faster than the plants in the exposed areas in 2 of the 3 years reported, with the 3-year average fresh weight increased by 168% due to wind protection. Overall transplanting success and early growth were enhanced the most by wind protection, followed by the polyacrylamide gel root dip, and least by the antitranspirant foliar spray. We conclude that microclimate modification by wind speed reduction can increase early muskmelon plant growth more consistently than the use of polyacrylamide gel as a root dip at transplanting or the use of an antitranspirant spray. A polyacrylamide gel root dip generally will provide more benefit during early muskmelon growth than the use of an antitranspirant spray.

IDENTIFIKASI BERAT, DIAMETER, DAN TEBAL DAGING BUAH MELON (Cucumis melo, L.) KULTIVAR ACTION 434 TETRAPLOID AKIBAT PERLAKUAN KOLKISIN

Indonesian farmers are very dependence on certificated seed from another countries. In the other side the natural resources and men powers very abundance. For these reason it is properly developed the research in agriculture sector, especially on plants breeding. It can be hoped that in the future the dependence on certificated seed from another countries can be minimized. The objective of this research were: (1) to find out the concentration and dipping period which is effective to induce polyploid in musk melon plant, (2) identify the weight, diameter, dan flesh thickness of tetraploid musk melon as result of colchicines treatment. The sample of this research was Action 434 musk melon cultivar, product of Chia-Thai Seed, Thailand. The number of sample was 480 plants, which plants on field randomly. There were four colchicines concentration as an independent variable: 0.0 percent, 0.05 percent, 0.10 percent and 0.2 percent. The dipping period were 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours for each concentration respectively. Completely Random Design was used in three replications. Data measurement were analyzed with Two Way ANOVA, DMRT, and LSD. From this research can be concluded that: (1) 0.2 percent colchicine is the most effective concentration to induce polyploid on musk melon, with dipping period effective varied from 16–24 hours, (2) there are changes in weight, diameter, and flesh thickness characters, with the increased tendency of each character in definite norm.

IDENTIFIKASI BERAT, DIAMETER, DAN TEBAL DAGING BUAH MELON (Cucumis melo, L.) KULTIVAR ACTION 434 TETRAPLOID AKIBAT PERLAKUAN KOLKISIN:

Indonesian farmers are very dependence on certificated seed from another countries. In the other side the natural resources and men powers very abundance. For these reason it is properly developed the research in agriculture sector, especially on plants breeding. It can be hoped that in the future the dependence on certificated seed from another countries can be minimized. The objective of this research were: (1) to find out the concentration and dipping period which is effective to induce polyploid in musk melon plant, (2) identify the weight, diameter, dan flesh thickness of tetraploid musk melon as result of colchicines treatment. The sample of this research was Action 434 musk melon cultivar, product of Chia-Thai Seed, Thailand. The number of sample was 480 plants, which plants on field randomly. There were four colchicines concentration as an independent variable: 0.0%, 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.2%. The dipping period were 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours for each concentration respectively. Completely Random Design was used in three replications. Data measurement were analyzed with Two Way ANOVA, DMRT, and LSD. From this research can be concluded that: (1) 0.2 % colchicine is the most effective concentration to induce polyploid on musk melon, with dipping period effective varied from 16–24 hours, (2) there are changes in weight, diameter, and flesh thickness characters, with the increased tendency of each character in definite norm.

Effect of Plant Population on Muskmelon Yield and Quality

Muskmelon plant populations and arrangements were evaluated at two sites in North Carolina in 1997. Within-row plant spacings of single rows were 0.15, 0.30, 0.46, 0.61, and 0.76 m, while staggered twin row spacings were 0.30, 0.46, and 0.61 m. The trials were conducted on black plastic with drip irrigation at both locations using the `Athena' cultivar. One trial was seeded 22 Apr., the other was transplanted 21 May. Yield was recorded as fruit number and weight. Soluble solids measurements were also taken. Yields were nearly two times greater when planted on 22 Apr. than 21 May. Yields in the later planting ranged between 13,300 and 18,800 melons per hectare, while yields in the earlier planting ranged between 23,700 and 31,600 melons per hectare. Populations arranged in staggered twin rows on the bed provided no yield advantage compared with single rows. As in-row plant spacing increased, yields of large-sized fruit (>2.0 kg) tended to be greater, while production of smaller size marketable fruit (1.4 to 2.0 kg) tended to be greater as in-row plant spacing decreased. Soluble solids were not affected by plant population.

THE INFLUENCE OF SHELTERBELT ON MUSKMELON PRODUCTION.

Windbreaks can increase crop growth and improve crop quality. The effects of shelter on vegetable production varies with crop, location, and farming practices. While the advantages of minimizing wind stress on vegetable production is well-known, little research documents the specific response of vegetables to microclimate modification through the use of shelterbelts. During the summer, 1991, a preliminary experiment was conducted on the effects of tree windbreaks (shelterbelts) on muskmelon plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. A split-plot design was used with shelter and exposed areas as main treatments with 3 replications. Subtreatments were 7 combinations of anti-transpirant and time of application. Leaf growth was measured 4 and 6 weeks after planting. Muskmelon fruit were harvested over a 6 week period at 2 day intervals. Muskmelon yield, fruit and cavity diameter, fruit color, and total sugar content were obtained. The use of anti-transpirant did not significantly affect total yield, fruit or cavity diameter, total sugar content, or early leaf growth. The effect of shelter varied with the measured variable.

Synchrony of yield of melons as affected by plant type and density

SummaryTwo closely related muskmelon hybrids, ‘Galia’ and ‘D72’, the former a widely grown vine-type cultivar and the latter an experimental hybrid derived from a birdsnest-type muskmelon plant introduction, were compared for synchrony of yield in plant density trials at Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A. and at Newe Ya’ar, Israel. Plant densities employed at the former location were 10, 20 and 30 thousand plants ha−1 and at the latter location 5, 10, 20 and 40 thousand plants ha−1. On a land-area basis, ‘D72’ and ‘Galia’ produced similar total yields but the fruits of ‘D72’ were smaller and more numerous than those of Galia. Yield was not significantly affected by density in Florida, but in Israel, fruit number and yield per unit land area increased as the density increased. Fruit size decreased with increased planting density. Synchrony of yield, that is, the concentration of yield over time, was calculated as a weighted numerical index and as the percentage of the total yield harvested during the peak three-consecutive harvest period, for each respective combination of hybrid and density. ‘D72’ produced a more concentrated yield over time than did ‘Galia’ regardless of location and whether concentration was calculated on an index or percentage basis. Concentration was not appreciably affected by density at either location. The greatest production during the peak three-consecutive harvest period, 21.6 and 28.9 t ha−1, in Florida and in Israel, respectively, was obtained from ‘D7’—20 thousand plants ha−1 at the former location and from ‘D72’—40 thousand plants ha−1 at the latter location.

Characteristics of birdsnest-type muskmelons

Birdsnest muskmelon plant introductions were compared with vine cultivars and short-internode (bush) breeding-lines with regard to vegetative growth, flowering characteristics, and concentration of fruit set and yield. Emergence and early vegetative development generally were fastest in the birdsnest introductions, especially under cool temperatures. They had a compact appearance, attributable in part to simultaneous expansion and upward growth of the primary branches. They were light green, with large, unlobed, thin leaves which contained less chlorophyll per unit leaf area than those of vine cultivars and short-internode lines. Persia 202, a birdsnest introduction, and ‘Noy Yizre'el’, a vine cultivar, had a similar ratio of staminate to perfect flowers, but lower than that of 2 short-internode lines tested. However, in Persia 202, production of perfect flowers ceased within 15 days from the opening of the first perfect flower. Persia 202 had a more concentrated fruit set and yield than either ‘Noy Yizre'el’ or short-internode breeding-line U.C. Perlita Bush.

Identification and Distribution of Some Carbohydrates of the Muskmelon Plant

Abstract The concentration of fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose in the leaves, stem, and fruit of the muskmelon plant (Cucumis melo L.) was determined using paper and gas chromatography. Stachyose was the predominant sugar in the leaves but was absent in the developing fruit. Most of the 14C label in 14CO2-treated leaves was associated with stachyose, while the 14C label in the fruit was associated with fructose and glucose. The concentration of stachyose was highest in the leaves, intermediate in the stem, and lowest in the fruit.

臭化メチルの土壌くん蒸消毒がメロンとキュウリの臭素吸収に及ぼす影響

Muskmelons and cucumbers were grown in soil fumigated with methyl bromide (MBr) to determine the effect of MBr on the growth, bromine (Br) content in the plant and the content of water soluble Br in the soil. The dry weight of the whole muskmelon plant was less at 600g/m3MBr, while soluble solids of fruit were slightly higher at this dosage. Br content in muskmelon leaves at 0, 200, 400 and 600g/m3MBr soil treatments was 203, 540, 3663 and 6783ppm, respectively. Br in the musk melon fruit was most concentrated in the pericarp, less concentrated in the outer flesh, and least concentrated in the inner flesh. On a dry matter basis Br content in the inner and outer flesh at 0, 200, 400 and 600g/m3MBr treatments was as follows: the inner flesh was 47, 24, 109 and 228ppm; the outer flesh was 60, 154, 137 and 323ppm, respectively. Growth and yield of cucumbers grown in Iwata loam (IL) having 13.3% clay were not affected by dosage levels of MBr. Br content in the leaves, roots and fruit was significantly increased with increasing amounts of MBr. Growth and yield of cucumbers grown in Takamatsu light clay (TLiC) having 35.8% clay were not affected by dosage levels of MBr. On a dry matter basis Br content in leaves, roots and fruit was markedly higher in TLiC than in IL, and that in fruit at 0, 200, 400 and 800 g/m3 MBr was 202 to 240, 590 to 900, 1080 to 1742, and 1750 to 2788ppm, respectively. Uptake amount of Br by cucumber plants was significantly increased with time at all dosage levels of MBr, while water soluble Br in soil was inversely decreased.