ISHS Acta Horticulturae 588: II International Symposium on Cucurbits
INDIAN LAND RACES IN CUCUMIS MELO |
| Authors: | V.S. Seshadri, T.A. More |
| Keywords: | muskmelon, botany, diversity, non-dessert and semi-wild forms, disease resistance, sex forms, affinity with melon |
| Abstract:
Cucumis melo encompasses wide variability of dessert melons and non-dessert (non-sweet) forms and land races found in India belong to the latter category. There is a large array of varieties and types in these land races. Phoot (or snapmelon) designated as Cucumis melo var. momordica Duthie & Fullar is an important type with a wide distribution in North India. It has been found to carry resistance to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) and downy mildew (Pseudoperonspora cubensis) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). There are cucumber-like forms (used as salad) with crisp flesh like Kakri (C. melo var. utilissimus Duthie & Fullar) of North India, and Vellarikkai (or Vellarikkaya) and Vellari of South India. These are also other types like Dosa Kaya of Andhra Pradesh, which are called cooking cucumbers. Another important variety Kachri is probably a semi-domesticate grown in semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan and it carries resistance to CGMMV. These non-dessert forms are economically important since these are being consciously cultivated. Studies on genetic divergence and isozyme variation have shown their close affinity with dessert melon varieties. Cytological studies have shown primitive features of their chromosomes and analysis of oil content in seeds of these varieties has shown lower values than dessert kinds. Significantly all these non-dessert kinds are monoecious in sex form, and also represent a significant secondary course of diversification of Cucumis melo in India. | |
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