The Interaction Between Environmental Conditions and Genetic Expression of Recent Developed Local F1 Cantaloupe Hybrids (Cucumis Melo Var. Cantaloupensis)

Abstract

The effect of six planting dates i.e., 15/1, 15/3, 15/5, 15/7, 15/9 and 15/11 on growth, yield and fruit quality of five newly developed local cantaloupe hybrids, Yathreb 7, 8, 22, 4 and 100 (Cucumis melo var. cantaloupensis) was studied under Sadat city, Menofia Governorate, Egypt conditions for two years, using split-plot design and the combined analysis was conducted for the two years. This experiment was carried out in the open field using a drip-irrigation system to determine the best planting date for each hybrid. Data were recorded on leaf area index (LAI), flowering, yield components, fruit quality and chemical determinations. Results showed that there were significant differences among planting dates in all studied traits. Also, cantaloupe hybrids had significant differences in all studied traits. Hybrid Yathreb 22 was the earliest one but it ranked as the second in total and marketable yield. Additionally, hybrid Yathreb 7 had the highest total and marketable yield, meanwhile Yathreb 100 ranked as the second in total yield but first in marketable yield. These hybrids had high values of the most other traits. The interaction between planting date and hybrid indicated that the best planting date for Yathreb 7 and 8 was 15/1 and 15/3, Yathreb 22 was 15/1 and 15/11, Yathreb 100 was 15/3, 15/5 and 15/7 and Yathreb 4 was 15/3 only. Each of them gave the best performance in the most of studied traits in the previous planting dates. While the planting date 15/9 wasn't suitable for cantaloupe growing at lower Egypt and this due to the cantaloupe sudden wilt which may be occur as result to low night temperatures. The present study confirmed that the interaction between planting date and hybrid effects on the performance of the hybrid either positive or negative impacts according to the interaction between genotype and environmental conditions.