Selection of half-sib families of creole melon (Cucumis melo L.) in the ecuadorian coast

Abstract

The creole melon cantaloupe is a horticultural species, whose fruits are used in human nutrition. However, no research has been reported on their genetic variability to initiate breeding processes. The objective of this study was to take advantage of the variability of creole melons to improve them genetically. 20 half-sib families of creole melon were selected and evaluated by production characteristics and fruit quality in order to obtain improved populations. The study was carried out in Palenque canton, Ecuador. Seeds from 20 half-sib families were used, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The differences between families were significant for all the characters studied. The family 93 presented higher averages for fruit weight, fruit diameter and production (per hectare) and the family 196 for soluble solids. The phenotypic correlations were positive and significant between fruit weight and fruit diameter, fruit length, pulp thickness, fruit cavity, soluble solids and production. The coefficients of genetic variation, in general, were lower than the coefficients of environmental variation. The estimates of heritability in the broad sense were of moderate magnitude (30-60%) for the 10 characters evaluated and the magnitude of the expected genetic progress was low (<10%) for fruit weight, production, and soluble solids, so it is considered that the selection for high production, should focus on fruit weight and soluble solids.