Interaction between genotype and environment of yellow melon hybrid in the Northern Region of Brazil.

Abstract

The choice of a variety is a very important decision to be taken by the grower, once he must consider several aspects of commercialization, yield, postharvest conservation, resistance to pest and diseases, plus other factors. The objective of this research was to evaluate the genotype x environment interaction in commercial yellow melon hybrids. The experiments were carried out in Pacajus, Itaiçaba and Aracati, located in the state of Ceará, and Baraúna, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in 2001, both states comprising the Northern Region of Brazil. A complete randomized blocks design was utilized, with nine treatments, five replications and sixteen plants per plot, in each environment. Plant yield, soluble solid content and pulp firmness were evaluated. The mainly results were: a) the yellow melon hybrids showed significant interaction between hybrids x environment; b) the melon genotypes were unstable for yields, soluble solid content and pulp firmness in the different environments; c) the hybrids Gold Star, AF 646, Gold Mine, Rochedo, and Yellow Queen were superior in yield, the hybrid Gold Mine showed higher pulp firmness. All hybrids presented low soluble solid content (<9obrix); d). Amidst the studied environments, Barauna presented the most favorable conditions for the cultivation yellow hybrids melon.