| dc.description.abstract | Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes belonging to reticulatus and inodorus groups were evaluated under natural and modified field-environments. In the genotype × environment interactions studies, yield and fruit quality traits were characterized using GGE Biplot for four TAMU breeding lines and five commercial F_(1) hybrids in three years (2010, 2011, and 2012) at three locations (College Station, Uvalde and Weslaco) in the south-central Texas. Genotype ‘TAMU Orange Casaba’ was identified as the highest mean performing genotype for fruit yield with specific adaptation to the Weslaco area. ‘Mission’ was confirmed as the most stable and average performing genotype for marketable yield and quality traits at all locations. Uvalde was identified as the ideal location for selecting generally adapted genotypes to south-central Texas.
Under deficit irrigation (DI, 50% ETc), a significant yield reduction of 43% in 2011 and 33% in 2012 was measured in ‘Super Nectar’ (inodorus type), while for cvs. Mission and ‘Da Vinci’ (reticulatus type) the reduction in yield was 24% and 30%, respectively in 2012. No adverse impact of DI was observed on fruit quality. Further, DI enhanced root length intensity (L_(a); cm∙cm^(-2)) in cv. Mission, maintained it in cv. Da Vinci, and decreased it in cv. Super Nectar. Thus, this suggests that the reticulatus melons have better adaptation to water deficit condition in south Texas as compared to the inodorus melon.
In another experiment, clay (Uvalde) and sandy loam soils (Weslaco) had variable impact on root growth and yield of melon genotypes. Sandy loam soil produced 77% higher L_(a) as compared to clay soil. Under sandy loam soil, root growth distribution was deeper (40 - 70 cm) while it was shallower (< 30 cm) in clay soils. Melon plants grown in clay soil produced 40% and 24% higher marketable and total fruit yield, respectively as compared to sandy loam soil, a response most likely due to longer growing season and differences in soil characteristics at Uvalde. The great rooting ability of TAMU breeding lines under different soil types and equivalent yield potential to commercial hybrids confirms their potential as parent for developing high yielding and stable cultivars for a wide range of environments in south-central Texas. | en |
