Screening of Muskmelon Genotypes (Cucumis melo L.) for Drought Tolerance

Drought is one of the major environmental stress (abiotic) which interrupts growth and development of plant and its productivity, so screening of genotypes that exhibit drought tolerance in muskmelon crop may help to develop resilient that can withstand the period of water scarcity. Fifteen muskmelon genotypes collected from different sources sown in polybags containing potting mixture of soil: sand: farm yard manure in the ratio of 2:1:1 and were maintained under polyhouse condition. As treatment, water stress was imposed after 30 days after sowing by withholding irrigation for next 15 days and growth parameters are recorded. Among genotypes, Chamarajnagar Local, Muskmelon Round and Kerala 2 gave better response to drought and these genotypes can be further used to test under field conditions and can also be used in breeding programmes for drought tolerance.