Evaluation of characteristics quantitative of melon Cantaloupe in segregating generations

Abstract

- The use of hybrid F1 seeds of melon (Cucumis melo L.) is associated with high fruit yield as well as quality, which lead to produce acceptability, especially for the external market. Due to hybrid seed high prices, most of the small holders of the Northeast of Brazil reutilize those seeds. Aiming on determining the quantitative losses due to commercial hybrid F1seed reutilization, seeds F2, F3 and F4 generations of hybrid “Hy-Mark” melon were obtained, in green houses, by combining techniques of selfing and recombination. Upon obtainence of seeds, an experiment, composed of the commercial hybrid “Hy-Mark” and the segregating generations and arranged in a complete randomized blocks with six replications, was carried out in the Embrapa Experimental Station located in Pacajus county, Ceara State, Brazil, from August to October, 2001. The evaluated characteristics, such as fruit yield, fruit shape, internal diameter, and flesh thickness, did not change on account of seed reutilization. On the other hand, fruit ripeness, average fruit weight, and total soluble solids presented differences over the evaluated generations showing that those characteristics were affected by seed reutilization.