Evaluation of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes for growth, yield and quality traits

The present study was carried out to know the performance of muskmelon genotypes for different traits attributing for growth, yield and quality in muskmelon at the college orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the genotypes used for investigation early harvest was obtained from Mysore Local (70.35 days) followed by Dharwad Local (70.95 days). Dharwad Local recorded highest number of fruits per vine (5.64) followed by GWL-1 (4.31). The     genotypes Dharwad Local recorded the highest yield (8.31 kg / plant) followed by Mysore Local (5.15 kg / plant) and Tindivanam Local (4.02 kg / plant). The maximum beta carotene content was observed in the genotypes Kashi Madhu (17.97 µg / g) followed by    Yanakandla (16.74 µg / g) and Tindivanam Local (16.30 µg / g). The genotype Yanakandla recorded the highest value of TSS (14.04° Brix) followed by Kashi Madhu (11.60° Brix). Based on their performance Dharwad Local, Kashi Madhu, Yanakandla and Tindivanam Local can be used for further breeding programme and hybrids could be exploited for cultivation in muskmelon.