Comparative Performance of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) Hybrids at Farmers’ Field in District Kapurthala

The performance of 10 muskmelon hybrids was studied by using an experimental design RCBD at three locations in the district. The results revealed that the fruit diameter was maximum in Farm Glory and Sharda Chand (52.0 cm) followed by Sunny (51.2 cm) and Inthanon (48.5 cm), in case of fruit length, Sunny had maximum value (18.9 cm) followed by Sharda Chand (17.6 cm). Highest fruit weight (1900g) was observed in Sharda Chand followed by Sunny (1870g), Inthanon (1733.3g) whereas, lowest fruit weight (653.3 g) was found in Bobby followed by Kesar (741 g) and MH 27 (783 g). The data revealed that fresh seed weight of different cultivars ranged between 42.7g (Muskan) to 119.7g (Kesar) per fruit. Lowest values of cavity length and breadth were observed with bobby (8.1 cm and 5.9 cm), respectively. The overall seed cavity of Bobby was at par with Muskan, MH 27 and Kesar, which was mainly due to smaller fruit size of these hybrids, as compared to all other hybrids. It was pertinent to note that maximum fruit flesh was found in Sharda Chand (3.2 cm). TSS varied between 9.6° brix to 15.7° brix amongst different muskmelon hybrids. Maximum shelf life was observed for Inthanon and Sunny compared to other cultivars. Higher fruit yield was obtained in Farm Glory (304.2 q/ha) compared to Kesar (171.7 q/ha) followed by Sharda Chand, Sunny and Inthanon (250 to 270.8 q/ha) and Muskan, Golden Glory and Madhu yielded between (218.3 to 245.8 q/ha). Four muskmelon hybrids namely MH 27, Farm Glory, Golden Glory and Kesar possessed typical flavour and flesh colour which were most desirable in muskmelon. Out of 10 hybrids, only MH 27 possessed suture on fruit, whereas, other were having profuse netting (Farm Glory, Inthanon, Golden Glory and Sunny), scattered netting (Muskan, Madhu and Kesar) and minimum netting (Sharda Chand). Two hybrids namely Inthanon and Sunny possessed more shelf life (16.0 and 14.5 d) after harvest and were more suitable for transportation to distant markets compared to other muskmelon hybrids.