Phenotypic analysis and comprehensive evaluation of thick skinned melon germplasm resources from the Middle East-Central Asia area

LIU Xiangyu; Anwar·Abdulla; XU Yanjun; WANG Ruihua; PAN Wen; Alimu·Abudilimu; WU Haibo

doi:10.16861/j.cnki.zggc.2025.0236

Abstract：To enrich the melon germplasm resources in China,60 thick-skinned melon accessions were introduced from the Middle East-Central Asia region.Nineteen phenotypic traits were investigated,and comprehensive evaluation was con-ducted using analytical methods such as baisc statistics,correlation analysis,principal component analysis(PCA),and cluster analysis.The results showed that the coefficient of variation for the 19 phenotypic traits ranged from 4.32％to 54.98％,with the largest coefficient of variation observed in fruit umbilicus(54.98％),and the highest genetic diversity index found in yield(2.25).H9-52,H9-40,and H9-37 exhibited strong growth vigor;H9-25,H9-13,and H9-15 had larger fruit umbilici;H9-17 exhibited greater single fruit mass,H9-10 and H9-13 had thicker pericarp,and H9-50 had thicker mesocarp.Yield and growth period are influenced by multiple factors,and correlation analysis indicated that these two traits had the most complex relationships with other traits.Principal component analysis simplified the 19 traits into eight principal components,with a cumulative contribution rate of 86.044％,named as growth vigor factor,morphology factor,yield factor,quality factor,and maturity factor.Cluster analysis classified the 60 germplasm resources into five groups,with significant differences observed among the groups in terms of yield potential,growth vigor,and maturity.The top five thick-skinned melons based on comprehensive evaluation were H9-17,H9-26,H9-15,H9-29 and H9-30.These find-ings demonstrate that the introduced germplasm resources from the Middle East-Central Asia region possess rich genetic diversity,holding significant value for broadening the genetic basis of melon breeding breeding in China.