Melon is a commercially important crop, yet its adaptation and genetic enhancement, particularly in regions like Bangladesh, remain limited by insufficient comprehensive evaluations of the agronomic performance of diverse global germplasm. This study integrates morphometric evaluation and marker-assisted selection to assess melon germplasm and select superior genotypes for further breeding programs. The morphometric evaluation involved 364 F 2 genotypes, examining growth, flowering, and fruit characteristics. Significant phenotypic variation was observed across various traits, including plant height, fruit weight, sweetness, and flowering time. Principal Component Analysis identified key traits influencing phenotypic diversity and highlighted genotypes with strong potential for improving yield and fruit quality under local agro-climatic conditions. The marker-assisted evaluation utilized seven molecular markers to assess genotypic variation in 18 selected genotypes, particularly for traits linked to fruit quality and disease resistance. Identified promising genotypes like HDM.3.14 and HDM.3.16 with high yield (8746 g and 4368 g, respectively), °Brix (12.4 and 12.7, respectively), and consumer preference (4 and 4.29, respectively) can be advanced to the next generations and be used in variety developments. This study provides a framework for the improvement of melon cultivars, integrating phenotypic and molecular approaches. The findings will facilitate future breeding efforts aimed at developing high-yielding, stress-resistant melon varieties optimized for local environments.
Jone et al. (Wed,) studied this question.