Analysis of variance components for quantitative traits in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

An experiment with different contributing charactersof 26 genotypes of muskmelon (Cucumis meloL.) was performed in a randomized block design with three replications during the Zaid season (Feb-May) of 2019, at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in order to understand the genetics of yield formation characteristics with yield enhancement potentials. Analysis of varian cerevealed the presence of significant differences among all genotypes for almost all the characters indicating that there is a plenty of room to improve the population for these traits. The range of variation was documented widest for the characters viz.; fruit weight (179.7 to 777.1 g), yield of fruit per plant (360.3 to 3109.5 g), pulp weight (107.0 to 557.2 g), and seeds per fruit (183.6 to 477.3). Genotypic coefficients of variation values were lower than phenotypic coefficients of variation for all characters.The fruit yield per plant revealed the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation values followed by titratable acidity, pulp weight, total number of female flowers and seed weight. Also, fruit yield per plant, total number of female flowers, node to first female flower, total number of fruits, fruit weight, and total soluble solids had high estimates of heritability and high genetic advance as per cent of mean, suggesting that selection for these traits might be effective.