Determining the main agronomic traits of snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus L.) fruits as affected by genotypic differences

The variability affecting the main agronomic traits of 10 snake melon genotypes (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus L.) (three F1 hybrids, six breeding lines and the widely grown and consumed traditional cultivar Mornagui), grown under greenhouse conditions during 2014 and 2015 seasons, was examined and compared. Their resistance to powdery mildew was also checked. The main production­driving agronomic traits varied significantly (P<0.05) depending on the genotype. The major skin colour determined visually was different among the considered genotypes. The hybrids (H5 and H12) and the breeding lines (L1, L2, L5, L6 and L9) had dark green skin. The fruits of the hybrid H7 were dark and light green and the breeding line L4 has intense and dark green fruits whereas cv. Mornagui was characterized by medium light green fruits. Regarding fruit shape, the hybrids H7 and H5 produced straight fruits whereas the hybrid H12 and the breeding lines; L2, L4, L5, and L9 and the cv. Mornagui had elongate fruits. However both breeding lines L1 and L6 were characterized by straight elongate fruits. The F1 hybrid H5 was the most productive (3.6 Kg/plant and ≈ 21 fruits/plant for total yield and number of fruit/plant respectively). These findings are useful for further breeding programs aiming to develop new powdery mildew resistant snake melon cultivars with satisfying agronomic traits.