Genetic diversity analysis for fruit quality traits and nutrient composition in different horticultural groups of muskmelon

Abstract

Sixty seven muskmelon genotypes from three horticultural groups were analysed for 13 fruit quality traits including 9 minerals. The range of variation was about 8-10 times for many fruit quality traits such as total caretonoids, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe contents, which reflect the high selection prospects for these traits to improve the performance through breeding programme. Sixty seven genotypes were classified into 13 distinct clusters based on 13 fruit quality traits. Cluster I comprised of maximum number of genotypes (26) mostly inodorous type and the mean value of this cluster for many quality traits was also high. The second largest cluster XIII consisted of 19 genotypes comprised cantaloupensis type and all 6 commercial Indian varieties were grouped together in this cluster. Based on higher genetic distance among clusters and higher mean value of genotypes for quality traits, yield and TSS, DM-31, DM-145, DM-159 and DM-162, DM-56 genotypes from cluster I and Pusa Madhuras, Kashi Madhu and Punjab Sunheri from cluster group XIII could be exploited in breeding programmes as potential donors for developing nutrient-rich muskmelon varieties.