The Journal of Agricultural Sciences - Sri Lanka

Vol. 19, No 3, September 2024. Pp 439-451

http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v19i3.10074

Morphological Diversity Assessment of Local Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Germplasm in Bangladesh

N. Jahan1* , Q.M. Ahmed1 , M.F. Khatun1 , S. Rahman 1 , M.G. Hossain 1 , M.R. Islam1 and N.
Jahan1
Received: 19th December 2022 / Accepted: 13th April 2024

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Local muskmelon germplasm is being lost because of genetic erosion caused by the replacement
of hybrid varieties, lack of conservation climate change, etc. Particularly, the foremost requisites
of the industry for muskmelon is a genetic diversity assessment of landraces for identification and trait
improvement. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the genetic diversity of muskmelon germplasm

Research Method: Forty-two muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm was collected from different
geographical territories of Bangladesh and was studied to identify the morphological diversity among the
germplasm using an augmented design. Thirty-four (34) agro-morphological characters were recorded, of
which twenty-eight (28) were scored as qualitative characters and six (6) were measured as quantitative
characters.

Findings: In qualitative characters, variations in morphometrics were found such as the fruit’s shape,
and different color patterns of fruit skin and flesh, etc. A maximum coefficient of variation of 73.5 % was
estimated in fruit weight. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of different quantitative traits was used
to distinguish muskmelon germplasm. The cumulative percentage of variance reached 75.7% by the first
two PCA components. Germplasm RC-186, IAH-194, IAH-207, AHM-15, IAH-197, IAH-345, AC-422,
and RAI-239, were divergent from others concerning traits such as early maturity, fruit length, width, and
weight. Clustering of accessions by D2 statistic resulted in five clusters and cluster III was found to be the
largest containing twenty-two (22) accessions.

Value: This research work will be helpful for the further development of the muskmelon variety and
the improvement of specific characters.

Keywords: Cluster analysis, Diversity, Muskmelon, PCA, Variation

INTRODUCTION 2013). The center of diversity is in Asia from the

Mediterranean Sea to Eastern Asia (Pitrat, 2008;
Sebastian et al., 2010). Muskmelon fruits are an
Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L., 2n = 24) is a utmost healthy food preference due to the presence of
morphologically assorted species belonging to the ascorbic acid, carotene, folic acid, potassium, and many
Cucurbitaceae family (Dildar et al., 2020). It is an human health-bioactive compounds. vitamins A, C, β
economically valuable vegetable crop grown through- -carotene, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and a very
out the world (Shivapriya et al., 2021). Muskmelon small quantity of vitamins K, B1 , B2 , B6 and niacin
is a minor but very familiar fruit crop in Bangladesh. were also found in muskmelon (Janghel et al., 2018).
Muskmelon plants bear fruit with a variety of shapes
and flesh colour and advancing lot of significance Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural
owing to high production potentiality, short duration Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
with high dietary value, flavor, and delicacy. It is *[email protected]
fitted for cultivation under both rainfed and irrigated https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5222-9243
conditions around the year (Sunita and Hosakatte,

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Muskmelon is commonly consumed as a fresh fruit, Plant Materials

as a salad, as a dessert, or as a component of custard.
Immature fruits are eaten as salad and cooked (soup, Forty-two (42) germplasm of muskmelon that were
stew, curry, stir-fry) or pickled. Germplasm helps plant collected from different regions of Bangladesh were
breeders for the creation of new combinations of genes studied in this experiment. Sources of collection of
and the selection of crop varieties that are more fitted forty-two muskmelon genetic resources are given in
to the requirements of varied systems of agriculture Table 01.
(Glaszmann et al., 2010). Yildiz et al., 2014 stated that
for the accurate identification of local landraces and Field Methods
initial evaluation of genetic resources morphological
characterization is an important requirement. This study was carried out in non-replicated augmented
design from February-June, 2022. Seeds were sown on
A preliminary characterization and assessment 13th February 2022 in plastic pot and seedlings were
of the genetic diversity of germplasm could be transplanted in the field on 13 th March 2022. Plot size
helpful for genetic material utilization in breeding was 3 × 4 m and plant spacing was 2 × 2 m. Manures
programs. It is also useful for the development of and fertilizers such as 10 ton/ha cowdung, 69 kg N,
new genetically improved cultivars. In any crop 35 kg P, 75 kg K, 20 kg S, 5 kg Zn and 3 kg/ha B
improvement programme, the value of genetic diversity in the form of Urea, Triple Super Phosphate, Murate
has been emphasized both in self and cross-pollinated of Potash, Gypsum, Zinc sulphate, and Boric acid
crops (Reddy et al., 2012). Before biochemical and were put in according to recommended doses (FRG,
molecular characterization, morphological diversity 2018). Cowdung, TSP, MP, gypsum, zinc sulphate,
study is mandatory (Bello and Olawuyi, 2015). When and boric acid were applied during pit preparation one
a substantial amount of genetic resources is to be week after transplanting. 15, 35, 55, and 75 days after
evaluated for different traits, then characterization, transplanting, urea was given in four installments as a
evaluation, and classification of genetic resources are top dressing. Normal farm work practices were acted
done by Multivariate procedures (Sabaghnia et al., accordingly to have a good crop. For insect control, a
2014). pheromone trap was used.

Based on diversity analysis selection of parents for Observation and Data Collections
desirable characters and planning of an efficient
crop improvement program would be more favorable. In this study, forty-two germplasm of muskmelon
Plant Genetic Resource Centre (PGRC), Bangladesh were characterized morphologically based on twenty-
Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) collected and eight (28) qualitative (Table 2, 3 & 4) and six (6)
conserved germplasm of muskmelon to protect against quantitative traits (Table 5) as per minimal descriptor
genetic loss of important landraces of muskmelon. of horticultural crops, Part II (Srivastava, 2001).
Therefore, this study has sought to allow estimating Length, diameter, and thickness were computed by a
the divergence of muskmelon through morphological digital slide caliper. The weight of fruit and seed was
characters and to notice classes of genetically distinct measured by digital balance.
morphological groups in the studied germplasm for
future breeding programs to improve characters.
In the frame of frequency distribution, the qualitative
parameter was described. Mean, variance, standard
deviation, and coefficient of variation i.e. simple
descriptive statistics were done for quantitative data.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Hierarchical cluster analysis was done by ward D2
method using R software. Principal component analysis
was also done which was performed by Statistical Tool
Research Site for Agricultural Research (STAR) software. (STAR
2.0.1, 2014).
The experiment was conducted at the research field
of PGRC of BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh during
February-June, 2022. The research site is located at RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
23°59’30.246” N latitude, 90°25’10.5168” E longi-
tudes, and 9 m above sea level. It appears under the Morphological characterization is a fundamental tool
7th agro-climatic zone which was active Brahmaputra- for providing information on their genetic status to
jamuna flood plain of Bangladesh. guide conservation and improvement. Variations were

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Table 1: Sources or places of collection of forty-two muskmelon germplasm

Geographical location
Sl. No. Germplasm Collected location
longitude latitude
1 AC-27 Dhaka 24°01’340” N 90°12’149” E
2 AC-86 Tangail 24°25’535” N 90°11’820” E
3 AC-140 Narayanganj 23°48’140” N 90°42’832” E
4 AC-208 Manikganj 23°54’348” N 90°02’477” E
5 AC-237 Manikganj 23°55’860” N 90°01’536” E
6 AC-303 Dhaka 23°55’826” N 90°04’344” E
7 AC-386 Dhaka 23°40’011” N 90°16’972” E
8 AC-387 Dhaka 23°40’011” N 90°16’972” E
9 AC-388 Dhaka 23°40’011” N 90°16’972” E
10 AC-391 Dhaka 23°38’282” N 90°15’028” E
11 AC-408 Dhaka 23°39’605” N 90°21’566” E
12 AC-422 Dhaka 23°38’282” N 90°15’028” E
13 AHM-15 Pirozpur 22°30’440” N 89°57’502” E
14 AMA-39 Pirozpur 22°30’440” N 89°57’502” E
15 IAH-14 Dhaka 23°43’828” N 90°23’730” E
16 IAH-69 Gazipur 24°05’562” N 90°34’855” E
17 IAH-187 Gazipur 23°59’595” N 90°24’874” E
18 IAH-194 Gazipur 23°59’595”N 90°24’874”E
19 IAH-197 Gazipur 23°59’595”N 90°24’874”E
20 IAH-198 Gazipur 23°59’595”N 90°24’874”E
21 IAH-199 Gazipur 23°59’595”N 90°24’874”E
22 IAH-207 Dhaka 23°43’828”N 90°23’730”E
23 IAH-220 Dhaka 23°43’828”N 90°23’730”E
24 IAH-245 Dhaka 23°43’828”N 90°23’730”E
25 IAH-257 Dhaka 23°38’555”N 90°29’004”E
26 IAH-317 Khagrachari 23°08’07.7"N 91°59’54.8"E
27 IAH-334 Khagrachari 23°08’07.7"N 91°59’54.8"E
28 IAH-345 Khagrachari 23°08’07.7"N 91°59’54.8"E
29 IAH-350 Khagrachari 23°13’19.1"N 92°03’11.7"E
30 RAI-73 Chattagram 22°41’187”N 91°46’506”E
31 RAI-79 Chattagram 22°41’187”N 91°46’506”E
32 RAI-239 Comilla 23°30’838”N 90°52’122”E
33 RAI-240 Comilla 23°30’838”N 90°52’122”E
34 RC-186 Jamalpur 24°55’43.8"N 89°58’06.1"E
35 TRMR-34 Chandpur 23°12’32.8"N 90°40’21.3"E
36 TRMR-36 Chandpur 23°13’11.6"N 90°40’27.9"E
37 TRMR-41 Chandpur 23°13’40.8"N 90°40’00.5"E
38 TRMR-69 Chandpur 23°13’40.8"N 90°40’00.5"E
39 TRMR-81 Chandpur 23°13’43.7"N 90°39’52.7"E
40 TRMR-83 Comilla 23°27’33.7"N 91°15’02.0"E
41 TRMR-149 Comilla 23°28’17.0"N 91°13’46.1"E
42 TRMR-160 Comilla 23°28’17.0"N 91°13’46.1"E

observed concerning different morphological traits Qualitative Character

to meet the requirement of a plant breeder that
manifests the probability of getting desirable plant
traits from selective germplasm. An extensive variation Qualitative traits are regarded as salient markers to
is observed in muskmelon so particular concern should describe the physical aspects of a plant (Kurlovich
be given for trait improvement (Malek et al., 2012). et al., 1998). In this study, a total of twenty-eight
(28) qualitative characters including stem colour, leaf
outline, leaf shape and lobe, leaf margin dentation,
leaf pubescence density and type, leaf colour, leaf

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Figure 1: Three types of leaf shape were observed in muskmelon i.e. entire (80.95%), trilobate (16.67%),
and Penta lobate (2.38%).

glossiness, prominent of leaf vein, flower color, fruit pyriform (2.38%), elongated (23.8%) fruit shapes
shape, predominant fruit skin colour, secondary fruit were identified (Fig.02). Variation was also found in
skin colour, primary colour and secondary colour of predominant and secondary fruit skin colour, primary
immature fruit, primary colour of mature fruit, fruit and secondary colour of immature fruit, secondary
skin hairiness, the shape of fruit ribs, stem end shape, skin colour pattern. The maximum 47.6% light yellow
blossom end shape, fruit cracking habit, flesh colour, fruit colour was dominating within the collection.
flesh texture, flesh favor, placenta colour, external Vijayalatha, (2022) also observed oval and round shape
aroma and internal aroma were evaluated to know the fruit and yellow and orange type fruit color. The highest
variation among germplasm. Colour was measured by variation was observed in colour of fruit skin by Malek
eye estimate according to the descriptor. Qualitative et al. (2012). Among the forty-two germplasm, the
traits i.e the shape and base of the leaf, leaf surface, maximum twenty (20) germplasm showed a dark green
leaf apex, margin, and petioles of the leaf, and also type primary colour of immature fruit. All germplasm
growth habit, tendril type, flower type and colour, fruit showed very short fruit skin hairiness. (Table 03).
shape, type, and colour were also recorded by Mercy
and Bosa (2013). Dildar et al. (2020) recorded data on In the collected germplasm 14.2% germplasm showed
different morphological characters, viz. color of rind, obtuse shape of fruit ribs, 11.9% intermediate, and
sutures presence or absence, netting type, color and 50.0% acute among the germplasm. Malek et al. (2012)
texture of flesh from seventy muskmelon germplasm. also found no fruit ribs in four germplasm, superficial
In the stem, leaf, and flower characters, variation ribs in twenty-seven germplasm, and deep fruit ribs in
was observed for most of the characters except leaf thirty-six germplasm. In stem end shape, depressed,
outline, prominent leaf vein, and flower colour. Malek flattened, rounded, and pointed shapes were observed
et al. (2012) also observed that except for tendrils and (Table 3). Different characters related to fruits were
flowering habits, all the studied muskmelon germplasm also recorded by Choudhary et al. (2015). Among the
displayed morphological differences for all the traits. germplasm, a wide variation of fruit color and shape
All germplasm had broadly ovate leaf lines, present showed the morphological diversity of muskmelon in
prominent leaf veins, and flower colour (Table 02). Bangladesh.
Three types of leaf shape were observed i.e entire
(80.9%), trilobate (16.6%) and Penta lobate (2.38%) Fruit non-cracking habit of muskmelon is an important
(Fig. 01). In the case of leaf lobes deep germplasm trait for marketing. It is challenging to transport from
were observed. Malek et al. (2012) also observed one place to another due to the splitting nature of fruit
no leaf lobes for 10 germplasm, shallow for 12 (Malek et al. 2012). In fruit cracking habit, 28.5%
germplasm, intermediate for 29 germplasm, and deep germplasm showed deep cracking, 9.5% intermediate,
leaf lobes for 16 germplasm. 64.2 % germplasm had and 33.3% superficial. Malek et al., (2012) also found
weak leaf margin dentation;14.2% germplasm had an three types of fruit cracking habit among them two
intermediate type and 21.4% germplasm had a strong germplasm had no cracking habit. Pale orange flesh
type. Leaf glossiness was glossy for 16 germplasm color was recorded for 22 germplasm (52.38%), cream
(38.10%), intermediate for 15 germplasm (35.71%), color for 12 accessions (28.5%), and orange, white,
and dull for 11 germplasm (26.19%). and yellow for 4, 2, and 2 germplasm, respectively.
Three types of flesh color such as white for twenty-five
In fruit character, there were globular (14.2%), germplasm, yellow for three germplasm, and orange for
flattened (19.0%); oblate (33.3%), elliptical (2.38%), thirty-nine germplasm were also observed among the

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Table 2: Qualitative variation of stem, leaf, and flower characters in muskmelon germplasm

Descriptor Descriptor state Number of germplasm Percent (%) of germplasm

Green 14 33.3
Stem colour
Dark green 28 66.6
Leaf outline Broadly ovate 42 100
Entire 34 80.9
Leaf shape Trilobate 7 16.6
Penta lobate 1 2.3
Shallow 37 88.1
Leaf lobe Intermediate 4 9.5
Deep 1 2.3
Weak 27 64.2
Leaf margin dentation Intermediate 6 14.2
Strong 9 21.4
Sparse 28 66.6
Leaf pubescence density Intermediate 8 19.0
Dense 6 14.2
Intermediate 22 52.3
Leaf pubescence type Hard 20 47.6
Dark green 12 28.5
Leaf colour
Green 30 71.0
Glossy 16 38.1
Leaf glossiness Intermediate 15 35.7
Dull 11 26.1
Prominent leaf vein Present 42 100
Flower color Yellow 42 100

Figure 2: Globular (14.29%), flattened (19.05%); oblate (33.33%), elliptical (2.38%), pyriform (2.38%),
elongated (23.81%) fruit shapes were identified in muskmelon.

studied germplasm by Malek et al. (2012). Germplasm Quantitative Character

showed a grainy-firm fruit flesh texture was 69.0% and
all germplasm contained internal aroma (Table 04).
Substantial variation was noticed concerning flowering,
fruit size, and fruit weight (Table 05) Maximum
coefficient of variation of 73.5 % was estimated in fruit
weight followed by fruit length (46.35%). Madhumathi

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Table 3: Qualitative variation of fruit characters in muskmelon germplasm.

Descriptor Descriptor Number of germplasm Percent (%) of germplasm

state
Globular 6 14.2
Flattened 8 19.0
Oblate 14 33.3
Fruit shape Elliptical 1 2.3
Pyriform 1 2.3
Ovate 2 4.7
Elongated 10 23.8
Light yellow 20 47.6
Cream 1 2.3
Predominant fruit skin colour Pale green 4 9.5
Green 12 28.5
Orange 5 11.9
Light yellow 10 23.8
Pale green 16 38.1
Secondary fruit skin colour
Green 14 33.3
Orange 2 4.7
Light green 11 26.1
The primary colour of immature fruit Intermediate 11 26.1
Dark green 20 47.6
Light green 13 30.9
Intermediate 14 33.3
The secondary colour of immature fruit
Dark green 14 33.3
Cream 1 2.3

Table 4: Qualitative variation of external and internal fruit characters in muskmelon germplasm.

Descriptor Descriptor Number of accessions Percent (%) of accession

state
Absent 12 28.5
Superficial 14 33.3
Fruit cracking habit
Intermediate 4 9.5
Deep 12 28.5
White 2 4.7
Yellow 2 4.7
Flesh colour Cream 12 28.5
Pale orange 22 52.3
Orange 4 9.5
Smooth-firm 13 30.9
Flesh texture
Grainy-firm 29 69.0
Insipid 27 64.2
Flesh favour
Intermediate 15 35.7
Yellow 11 26.1
Placenta colour
Orange 31 73.8
Absent 12 28.5
External aroma
Present 30 71.4
Internal Aroma Present 42 100

et al. (2020) also found that the highest CV in the of variation would be given preference for selection
case of length of fruit (23.69%) which was followed (Malek et al., 2012). The minimum CV was observed
by thickness of pulp (17.07%), fruit girth (16.84%), in days to 50% flowering (12.48%). On average, days to
number of seeds per fruit (12.08%) and weight of 1st flowering were 50 days, and days to 50% flowering
fruit (7.43%). Characters that showed a wide range were 59 days. The earliest germplasm was IAH-345

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Table 5: Quantitative listing data and descriptive analysis.

Days to Days to Fruit Fruit Flesh Fruit

Collector’s 1st 50% length width thickness weight
number flowering flowering (cm) (cm) (mm) (kg)
1 AC-27 52.0 61.0 20.6 9.5 3.4 1.2
2 AC-86 49.0 52.0 20.0 13.3 2.5 2.2
3 AC-140 51.0 60.0 14.0 15.0 2.8 1.3
4 AC-208 78.0 88.0 23.5 12.5 2.5 1.2
5 AC-237 49.0 59.0 22.5 9.4 1.8 1.0
6 AC-303 52.0 62.0 20.3 17.8 3.0 3.3
7 AC-386 51.0 61.0 17.0 15.0 2.0 1.5
8 AC-387 53.0 63.0 19.0 18.0 2.8 1.9
9 AC-388 52.0 62.0 11.0 12.7 2.5 1.0
10 AC-391 49.0 58.0 9.5 11.5 1.3 0.6
11 AC-408 50.0 62.0 21.3 15.5 2.6 1.8
12 AC-422 33.0 43.0 10.0 14.0 3.0 1.0
13 AHM-15 50.0 60.0 11.0 5.0 1.0 0.3
14 AMA-39 50.0 60.0 23.2 12.6 2.1 1.4
15 IAH-14 52.0 62.0 11.2 10.4 2.5 1.0
16 IAH-69 44.0 52.0 15.5 12.0 2.3 0.9
17 IAH-187 49.0 58.0 14.3 12.5 2.0 1.0
18 IAH-194 51.0 60.0 51.0 14.0 3.0 5.3
19 IAH-197 59.0 69.0 13.0 10.0 2.0 0.7
20 IAH-198 51.0 61.0 11.8 8.5 1.0 0.5
21 IAH-199 49.0 58.0 32.0 13.0 2.0 2.6
22 IAH-207 50.0 59.0 43.0 18.0 3.5 5.5
23 IAH-220 49.0 58.0 20.5 10.9 1.7 1.0
24 IAH-245 51.0 61.0 22.0 17.0 3.0 1.5
25 IAH-257 51.0 61.0 19.0 16.0 3.2 1.9
26 IAH-317 52.0 62.0 14.2 12.3 2.1 1.1
27 IAH-334 52.0 62.0 28.5 11.0 2.8 1.7
28 IAH-345 28.0 39.0 11.7 13.7 2.7 0.9
29 IAH-350 50.0 60.0 13.0 8.5 1.5 1.2
30 RAI-73 44.0 52.0 23.0 13.0 2.0 1.2
31 RAI-79 53.0 64.0 28.3 12.8 2.0 2.4
32 RAI-239 33.0 43.0 19.0 11.3 1.6 1.2
33 RAI-240 53.0 62.0 5.0 12.0 1.5 0.4
34 RC-186 54.0 63.0 40.3 14.2 3.0 4.5
35 TRMR-34 48.0 59.0 22.0 12.0 3.0 1.3
36 TRMR-36 54.0 63.0 13.3 10.2 2.3 0.7
37 TRMR-41 52.0 61.0 19.5 12.5 3.3 1.5
38 TRMR-69 50.0 60.0 23.3 12.3 1.5 1.7
39 TRMR-81 55.0 64.0 22.4 14.5 3.1 2.6
40 TRMR-83 48.0 57.0 16.5 12.5 3.1 1.0
41 TRMR-149 49.0 58.0 14.5 9.5 1.4 0.4
42 TRMR-160 78.0 88.0 51.0 18.3 1.3 5.5
Minimum 28.0 39.0 5.0 8.5 1.0 0.3
Mean 49.5 59.3 20.7 12.6 2.4 1.6
SD 7.9 7.4 46.4 21.5 28.3 73.5
CV% 14.5 12.5 46.4 21.5 28.3 73.5

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(28 days) for days to 1st flowering followed by AC- this 98 germplasm was grouped into twelve clusters.
422 (33 days). Fruit length range was 9.50 cm to 51
cm and width was 5 cm to 18 cm. The longest fruit
length was recorded in germplasm IAH-194 (51 cm) Cluster Means
whereas the shortest germplasm was AC-391 (9.50
cm). The average value of flesh thickness was 2.38 The genetic differences between clusters were reflected
cm. The minimum fruit weight was 0.33 kg (AHM- by cluster means. Six characters’ mean values studied
15) and the maximum was 5.46 kg (IAH-207) (Table in musk melon germplasm for five clusters are shown
05). Malek et al. (2012) also recorded the length of in Table 07. clusters were distinguished from each
fruit (12.60-50.32 cm), breadth of fruit (23.20-52.00 other for all studied traits. Cluster IV displayed the
cm), and weight of fruit (1.40-6.25 kg) among sixty- maximum mean value for days to first and fifty percent
seven (67) germplasm. The studies of Pandey et al., flowering and the minimum mean value was found for
(2005), Pandey et al. (2009), and Choudhary et al. these two characters in Cluster II. So, the germplasm
(2012) also narrated the diversity in Cucumis species in belonging to cluster II will give early fruiting. Cluster I
respect of different morphological, yield contributing also displayed the highest values for fruit length and
characteristics along with yield. Characterization of width (cm), and flesh thickness (cm). Rahman et al.
germplasm concerning valuable traits will be assisted (2016) also found the maximum mean value for fruit
in the estimation of genetic diversity (Choudhary et al. length in cluster VI among the six divided clusters.
2015). So, the germplasm in cluster I being distinct from
other clusters may tend to prospective parents for future
breeding programs. Germplasm in cluster I had the
Germplasm Distribution and Dendrogram highest cluster mean value for individual fruit weight
(kg). Tomar et al. (2008) also observed that among
Cluster analysis is a tool for assorting the materials into the seven clusters, cluster III had the highest mean
groups. Multiple variables are a trustworthy approach value for fruit length, fruit weight, and flesh thickness.
to dictate the similarities and differences of multiple This useful finding indicates their individualistic
numbers of germplasm by grouping (White et al., resemblance and significance due to traits possessed
2012). The dimension of variation that would apply by them (Reddy et al., 2017). Through clusters it will
to future crop improvement programs is indicated by be easy to get which specific germplasm with traits of
cluster analysis (Sultana et al., 2006). Several authors interest will help in researching more germplasm with
have used this tool to represent their intraspecific related traits in crop improvement programs (Naghavi
relationship by morphological characterization (Arif and Jahansouz, 2005) and grouping of germplasm into
et al., 2013; Boampong et al., 2018; Khadivi, 2018; different clusters gives a chance to select germplasm
Sabaghnia et al. 2014). for development of high yielding as well as good
quality varieties. Extensive information on the type and
consequence of genetic divergence of germplasm is the
Multivariate analysis following Mahalanobis D2 statis-
precondition of a variety improvement program.
tics (Mahalonobis,1936) displayed more genetic di-
vergence for growth, earliness and traits that are Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
associated with yield offering a proficient opportunity
for development of muskmelon germplasm (Singh and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a
Lal, 2000a; More and Seshadri, 2002; Choudhary trustworthy multivariate approach that transforms a
and Ram, 2003; Krishnaprasad et al., 2004; Singh huge number of data sets in the form of a limited
and Dhillon, 2006). Based on Mahalanobis’s D2 component that comprises many inter-correlated
values, five clusters were configured from forty- variables (Pachauri et al., 2017). The investigation
two accessions. (Table 06). The dendrogram (Fig. was carried out to find out the prime distinguishing
03. displayed that the twenty-two germplasm were characters that cause variation among forty-two
assembled into cluster III which was the maximum muskmelon germplasm by calculating the first two
indicating overall genetic similarity among them, principal components which accounted for 75.70 %
followed by thirteen germplasm in cluster V. Cluster of the total divergence (Fig. 04). The musk melon
I and II composed of only 3 of each, respectively. germplasm RC-186, IAH-194, IAH-207, AHM-15,
Singh and Lal (2000b); Rahman et al., (2016) and IAH-197, IAH-345, AC-422 and RAI-239 were
Vijayalatha (2022) studied 51, 64, and 24 diverse separately isolated from the others and they were away
muskmelon germplasm, respectively, and categorized from centroid. This result displayed the uniqueness
them into 13, 5, and 10 clusters, respectively. Ninety- and divergence of the germplasm. In general, all the
eight muskmelon germplasm evaluated by More and data were lessened to five principal components (PC)
Seshadri (2002) was obtained from ten countries and or factors that represent the total variability. The first

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Table 6: Distribution of forty-two germplasm in five different clusters based on quantitative characters

Number of
Cluster Germplasm included in different clusters
germplasm
I 3 IAH-194, IAH-207, RC-186
II 3 AC-422, IAH-345, RAI-239
AC-27, AC-86, AC-140, AC-303, AC-386, AC-387, AC-388,
III 22
AC-408, IAH-14, IAH-69, IAH-18,7 IAH-245, IAH-257, IAH-317, IAH-334,
IV 1 AC-208
AC-237, AC-391, AHM-15, AMA-39, IAH-197, IAH-198,
V 13
IAH-199, IAH-220, IAH-350, RAI-79, RAI-240, TRMR-69, TRMR-149

Figure 3: Cluster dendrogram depicting morphological diversity among muskmelon germplasm

Table 7: Cluster means six characters of forty-two muskmelon germplasm.

Characters I II III IV V
Days to 1st flowering 51.67 31.33 50.41 78.00 50.85
Days to 50% flowering 60.67 41.67 59.50 88.00 60.54
Fruit length (cm) 44.78 13.55 18.30 23.50 20.59
Fruit width (cm) 15.39 13.00 13.36 12.50 10.46
Flesh thickness (cm) 3.17 2.42 2.70 2.50 1.64
Fruit weight (kg) 5.1 1.04 1.50 1.19 1.10

Table 8: Principal Components for six traits of muskmelon germplasm.

Characters PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4 PC5 PC6

Days to 1st flowering -0.2480 0.6482 -0.1258 0.0074 0.0295 0.7082
Days to 50% flowering -0.2374 0.6522 -0.1342 -0.0679 0.0160 -0.7039
Fruit length (cm) -0.4648 -0.0170 0.6521 0.1184 -0.5868 -0.0081
Fruit width (cm) -0.4492 -0.2689 -0.3671 -0.7428 -0.1947 0.0395
Flesh thickness (cm) -0.4172 -0.2324 -0.5639 0.6544 -0.1569 -0.0339
Fruit weight (kg) -0.5388 -0.1669 0.2970 0.0369 0.7694 -0.0156
Eigen value 2.60 1.94 0.86 0.38 0.19 0.019
Variability (%) 43.29 32.41 14.34 6.41 3.25 0.31
Cumulative (%) 43.29 75.70 90.04 96.45 99.69 100

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Figure 4: The plot of the first two PC 1 and PC 2 shows the relationship between germplasm and
characters.(DF= days to 1st flowering; DFF= days to 50% flowering; FL=fruit length; FW=fruit width; FL= flesh
thickness and FWT= fruit weight, PC=principal component)

principal component explained 43.29% of the total morphological variation (Vijayalatha, 2022).
variation and the second one explained 32.41% of
the variation in forty-two musk melon germplasm.
Thus, the present study exposed that the first PC was CONCLUSION
more important than the second PC for explaining the
variation among the germplasm based on studied traits. All the newly collected muskmelon germplasm display
Usually, the first principal component imparted toward variation for most of the studied qualitative charac-
maximum divergence while other factors justify the ters. Multivariate analysis on quantitative characters
rest amount of the variance (Fereidoonfar et al., 2018). revealed that Mahalanobis D2 statistics grouped the
The eigen values and vectors of eight characters for germplasm into five clusters where cluster III had the
a PCA of important traits for the first fifth principal maximum germplasm. Germplasm RC-186, IAH-194,
components in forty-two musk melon germplasm were and IAH-207 were selected for heavy fruit weight;
shown in Table 08. A related study was conducted IAH-345, AC-422, and RAI-239 for early fruiting.
by Henane et al. (2013) on muskmelon in Tunisia. These findings indicated an immense range of diversity
Melon germplasm collected from different geographic for studied traits which will contribute a valuable
regions of Tamil Nadu of India also reported high source of gene pool in the melon breeding program.

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