Genetic variability and correlation studies in ‘egusi’ melon [ Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]

Abstract

Genetic variability and correlation analysis were studied in 20 accessions of ‘egusi’ melon during two growing seasons. The genotypic correlation coefficients with seed yield were partitioned into direct and indirect effect causes. Heritability in the broad sense ranged from 17% for fruit circumference to 90% for days to germination and flowering in the early season, while in the late season, heritability ranged from 7% for seed weight per fruit to 88% for days to germination. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for seed yield while days to maturity had the lowest in both seasons. Fruit circumference and fruit weight had significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with seed yield in the early season, while number of branches per plant, vine length per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit circumference per plant showed significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with seed yield in the late season. Environmental correlation coefficients were significant between seed yield and vine length per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit size per plant. Vine length per plant and fruit circumference per plant had the largest positive direct effect on seed yield. Knowledge of the relationship of these characters with seed yield will aid in the selection of genotypes that have high seed yield, which will also be specific to the two major seasons in the year.

Variability of yield and yield components in “egusi” melon

“…It has also been pointed out that the magnitude of genetic variability present in base population of any crop species is important in crop improvement and must be exploited by plant breeders for yield improvement (Idahosa et al, 2010). The high PCV and GCV recorded in seed yield attributes (Table 2) agrees with the findings of Kehinde and Idehen (2008) on the crop. High GCV in some fruit and seed yield attributes in round melon has also been reported (Samadia, 2007).…”

Correlation Analysis Between Yield Component Traits and Yield of Watermelon Genotypes (Citrullus lanatus)

“…Pada penelitian lain disebutkan korelasi fenotipik positif yang signifikan terhadap berat biji adalah berat buah per tanaman (r=0,73). Pada akhir musim, hasil biji menunjukkan korelasi signifikan positif dengan jumlah cabang per tanaman (r=0,64), dan jumlah biji per buah (r=0,60) (Kehinde & Idehen 2008).…”

“…Karakter komponen hasil yang tidak berkorelasi genetik dan fenotipe pada berat biji per buah adalah panjang batang, jumlah cabang, jumlah ruas, jumlah daun, hari panen, padatan terlarut total, berat 100 biji, panjang biji dan tebal biji. Penelitian lain menunjukkan korelasi fenotipe negatif antara berat biji dengan hari berkecambah (r=-0,62), hari berbunga (r=-0,59), selain itu didapat hasil korelasi fenotipe positif pada jumlah cabang (r=0,48), berat buah (r=0,73) dan lingkar buah (r=0,64) (Kehinde & Idehen 2008).…”