Analysis of morphological,pomological and yield characteristics of some apricot germplasm in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to characterize the Irano-Caucasian apricot germplasm that was collected in Anatolia, Turkey. Fifteen (pomological, phenological, and yield) parameters were studied in this germplasm, consisting of 128 apricot cultivars and types. A wide variation was found in harvest season, fruit yield, total solids soluble (TSS), total acidity, fruit, pit, and kernel mass. Most of the cultivars and types had a relatively small fruit size; only seven had a fruit mass ≥50 g. In general, fruits had yellow skin ground color and flesh color as well as mostly sweet kernels and high TSS. While there was a high correlation between fruit, pit and kernel mass and also between TSS and total acidity, a low or no significant correlation was determined between other pomological or phenological characteristics. The Levent apricot type possessed a substantially late ripening with a total period of 190–200 days for fruit development, a characteristic that makes this apricot type highly suitable for breeding studies.     

Genetic Structure in Tunisian Apricot, Prunus armeniaca L., Populations Propagated by Grafting: A Signature of Bottleneck Effects and Ancient Propagation by Seedlings

In order to give insights into the origin and historical selection process of Tunisian apricot propagated by grafting, 31 cultivars from three areas presenting contrasting ecological conditions – Kairouan, Testour and Ras Jbel were compared to cultivars from Europe, North America, North Africa, Turkey, Iran and China, using 234 AFLP markers. The phenetic analysis allowed to distinguish 5 clusters, the four previously defined groups: – ‘diversification’, ‘geographically adaptable’, ‘continental European’ and ‘Mediterranean’ – groups and the Tunisian one. The partitioning of genetic diversity within and between cultivar groups assessed according to the Bayesian approach and assuming Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, showed a loss of 21.81–38.49% of genetic diversity in Tunisian apricot compared to Mediterranean and diversification groups, respectively. Genetic variation occurred within Tunisian subgroups rather than among (F_ST = 0.060) evidencing a narrow genetic pool. Mediterranean and Tunisian groups were the least differentiated. Comparing them, 24 AFLP fragments discriminated the Mediterranean group from the Tunisian group but most of them where also shared by the other groups. Strongly differentiated gene pool and low genetic diversity are probably the result of bottleneck effects linked to the occurrence of propagation by seedlings rather than by grafting during the introduction periods in the North and the Centre of Tunisia. This study points at the propagation by seedlings as an important factor which should be taken into account to understand the evolution of apricot in South Mediterranean areas.     

Level and Transmission of Genetic Heterozygosity in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Explored Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

In this study, 17 peach simple sequence repeat (SSR) sequences were used in the exploration of the genetic heterozygosity level of several apricot cultivars from Spain, France, Greece, and the USA, and 23 descendants. The genotypes can be classified in three groups as a function of their genetic heterozygosity (1) local cultivars from Murcia (Spain) (‘Gitanos’ and ‘Pepito del Rubio’) and several descendants from crosses among these cultivars, with very low genetic heterozygosities (less than 0.30); (2) cultivars from France and Spain (‘Moniquí’, ‘Currot’ and ‘Bergeron’) and several descendants, with intermediate levels of genetic heterozygosity (around 0.45); and (3) cultivars ‘Orange Red’ and ‘Goldrich’ from North America and ‘Lito’ from Greece, with the remaining descendants, having genetic heterozygosities higher than 0.50. The results showed the high increase of genetic heterozygosity in the case of descendants from complementary crosses. The use of cultivars from North America could increase greatly the genetic heterozygosity in the Spanish apricot breeding programs, enlarging the genetic variability of the local cultivars. On the other hand, in the case of transgressive crosses among local Spanish cultivars, the increase of genetic heterozygosity was much lower.     

Molecular Markers for the Classification of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Germplasm and to Assess Genetic Diversity in Three Synthetic Switchgrass Populations

Information regarding the amount of genetic diversity is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of breeding programs and germplasm conservation efforts. Genetic variation between 21 switchgrass genotypes randomly selected from two lowland (‘Alamo’ and ‘Kanlow’) and one upland (‘Summer’) synthetic cultivars were estimated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Comparison of 85 RFLP loci revealed 92% polymorphism between at least two genotypes from the upland and lowland ecotypes. Within ecotypes, the upland genotypes showed higher polymorphism than lowland genotypes (64% vs. 56%). ‘Kanlow’ had a lower percent of polymorphic loci than ‘Alamo’ (52% vs. 60%). Jaccard distances revealed higher genetic diversity between upland and lowland ecotypes than between genotypes within each ecotype. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's minimum variance grouped the genotypes into two major clusters, one representing the upland group and the other the lowland group. Phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast non-coding region trnL (UAA) intron sequences from 34 switchgrass accessions (6 upland cultivars, 2 lowland cultivars, and 26 accessions of unknown affiliation) produced a neighbor-joining dendrogram comprised of two major clusters with 99% bootstrap support. All accessions grouped in the same cluster with the lowland cultivars (‘Alamo’ and ‘Kanlow’) had a deletion of 49 nucleotides. Phenotypic identification of greenhouse-grown plants showed that all accessions with the deletion are of the lowland type. The deletion in trnL (UAA) sequences appears to be specific to lowland accessions and should be useful as a DNA marker for the classification of upland and lowland germplasm.     

Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Upland Cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) Breeding Lines by using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Markers and Morphological Characteristics

Genetic diversity in 24 advanced breeding lines of cotton was studied by using six amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer-pairs and 14 morphological characters. The six selected AFLP primer-pairs generated a total of 535 amplification products, of which 460 were found to be polymorphic resulting in 85.9% polymorphism. The observed genetic distances using AFLP markers ranged from 30% to 87% with an average of 34%. A wide range of variability was observed for all the morphological traits studied. The range in taxonomic distance was from 0.60 to 2.77. Most of the lines could be clustered in two major clusters in both the analyses. But the correlation coefficient between the pair-wise distances estimated from AFLPs and the average taxonomic distances estimated from morphological characters was found to be 0.04. UPGMA cluster analysis revealed inconsistencies in the clustering patterns, as the co-phenetic correlation coefficient between the dendrograms for morphological and AFLP data indicated a poor fit for the two data types. From combined information, genotypes ‘RST-12’, ‘H 1226’, ‘P 348’, ‘KDCAKD’, ‘CISV 24’ and ‘H1222’ were found to be distinct from rest of the material.     

Analysis of the contribution of Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools to European common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.) germplasm and strategies to establish a core collection

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was introduced in Europe from both Mesoamerican and Andean centres of origin. In this study, a collection including 544 accessions from all European regions showed that the Andean phaseolin types ‘T’ (45.6%) and ‘C’ (30.7%) prevailed over the Mesoamerican ones ‘S’ (23.7%), and accessions with cuboid seed shape (34.9%), maroon coat darker colour seed (44.3%), uniform seed colour (69.6%) were the most frequent. European accessions with phaseolin ‘S’ showed a significantly larger average seed size compared to those from America in the same phaseolin class while those presenting ‘T’ and ‘C’ phaseolin did not. This suggests that, during crop expansion in Europe, sampling or selection favoured the large-seeded races within the Mesoamerican ‘S’ gene pool or, possibly, introgression from Andean germplasm did occur. A core collection was developed using sampling approaches based on the information available in the genebank databases and on phaseolin patterns. Four sampling strategies were used: simple random sampling, and three random-stratified samplings, by logarithm of frequency of accessions by country, by European region, and by phaseolin pattern, respectively. Two sampling strategies resulted in core collections significantly different for phaseolin electrophoretic patterns from the whole collection. Stratification by phaseolin patterns increased the frequency of ‘S’ types (‘C’ type = 33%, ‘T’ type = 5.7% and ‘S’ type = 31.3%). The core collections were validated using seven seed characters, and no significant difference was observed in all strategies. This first developed European bean core collection will help to assess the contribution of the two American gene pools to the European germplasm and their relative importance for breeding purposes.     

Promising apricot genetic resources from the Lake Van Region

This study was conducted in order to select valuable genetic resources(Prunus armeniaca L.) of apricot in Geva situatedon Lake Van Region (East Anatolia) of Turkey during 1998 and 1999. Allpopulation consisted of native apricot genotypes were examined with respect tofruit and tree characteristics for two years, and twenty-eight genotypes wereselected for future breeding efforts. Their flowering habit and desirable fruitcharacteristics were determined in comparison withHachalilolu. All selected apricots grown at 1700m in the region were not affected by late spring frosts. In themajority of genotypes, bud break, first flowering, full flowering and end offlowering occurred a few days earlier than the cultivarHachalilolu in both years, whereas, harvest waslater than that. Some selections produced larger fruits thanHachalilolu. All genotypes showed a range of25–48 g for fruit weight, 11–21% for soluble solids and0.19–2.90% for acidity. Soluble solids content was more than 20% in threeselections (G12, G29 and G33), and the acidity was lower than 1% in fivegenotypes (G2, G12, G27, G29 and G33). Selections with attractive fruit colorshad small to medium-sized fruits. Many genotypes were evaluated as promising forfurther breeding efforts.     

AFLP similarities among historic Danish cultivars of fodder beet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta vulgaris</Emphasis> L. subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">vulgaris</Emphasis>var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">rapacea</Emphasis> Koch)

Dead seeds of a fodder beet cultivar ‘Elvetham’ stored under ambient conditions since 1880 were compared to a homonymous sample preserved in an on-farm situation in Denmark. DNA was isolated from single seeds and successfully applied to Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of the accessions. Six primer pairs were used to determine the similarity between the two accessions based on 112 polymorphic bands. Furthermore, similarity among seven cultivars of fodder beets representing the main types used in Scandinavia at the end of the 19th century was determined. This analysis was based on 152 polymorphic bands. Differentiation among the seven cultivars was determined to a mean G _ST value of 0.438, while G _ST between the two ‘Elvetham’ accessions was 0.266. A principal coordinate analysis based on jaccards similarity index illustrates that the two ‘Elvetham’ accessions are different from each other. The differentiation is higher than the value found between two separate ‘Eckerndorfer’ accessions. The results indicate that the cultivated accession has changed. Additionally, the value of applying old dead seed material for documentation in gene banks is demonstrated. During the analysis it was found that DNA isolated from seeds and leaves behaved differently in the AFLP process, however, the two fractions assigned to their common accession.     

Genetic Analysis of Egyptian Date (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoenix dactylifera</Emphasis> L.) Accessions Using AFLP Markers

Forty-seven samples of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) collected from eight locations in Egypt were studied using four sets of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers with near infrared fluorescence labeled primers. These samples belonged to 21 named accessions and 9 of unknown pedigrees. A total of 350 bands were scored and 233 (66.6%) were polymorphic. Twenty-seven Egyptian accessions and ‘Medjool’and ‘Deglet Noor’accessions from California could beclassified into the major cluster. This major cluster may represent a major group of date palm germplasm in North Africa. There were four other clusters, each containing one or two accessions. The variety ‘Halawy’and one accession of unknown provenance were most likely from hybridization between two clusters. Six groups of accessions of which had the same names, revealed similar but not identical AFLP profiles suggesting these accessions might derive from seedlings rather thanthrough clonal offshoot propagation.     

Carotenoids from new apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties and their relationship with flesh and skin color

Thirty-seven apricot varieties, including four new releases (Rojo Pasión, Murciana, Selene, and Dorada) obtained from different crosses between apricot varieties and three traditional Spanish cultivars (Currot, Mauricio, and Búlida), were separated according to flesh color into four groups. The L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and chroma color measurements on the skin and flesh as well as other quality indices including flesh firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH were plotted against the total carotenoid content measured by HPLC. Among the 37 apricot varieties, the total carotenoid content ranged from 1,512 to 16,500 microg 100 g(-1) of edible portion, with beta-carotene as the main pigment followed by beta-cryptoxanthin and gamma-carotene. The wide range of variability in the provitamin A content in the apricot varieties encouraged these studies in order to select the breeding types with enhanced carotenoid levels as the varieties with a higher potential health benefit. The carotenoid content was correlated with the color measurements, and the hue angle in both flesh and peel was the parameter with the best correlation (R = 0.92 and 0.84, respectively). An estimation of the carotenoid content in apricots could be achieved by using a portable colorimeter, as a simple and easy method for field usage applications.     

Genetic diversity of cultivated and wild Ussurian Pear (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus ussuriensis</Emphasis> Maxim.) in China evaluated with M13-tailed SSR markers

Eight genomic SSR markers with a M13 tail attached were used to assess the genetic diversity of 72 Ussurian Pear accessions (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.) in China. The M13-tailed method was effective in discriminating all the 32 wild accessions. All the 40 Ussurian Pear cultivars could be successfully discriminated with the exception of 4 sets of synonymies or spots. A total of 108 alleles were obtained with an average of 13.5 per locus. The expected heterozygosity, observed heterozygosity, and power of discrimination were 0.78, 0.63, and 0.86 respectively. Three triploid cultivars (‘Anli’, ‘Ruan’er’, and ‘Pitaiguo’), and one wild accession, P. ussuriensis ‘Xilin-3’, showed three alleles at some SSRs. The number of alleles and observed heterozygosity per locus for 40 Ussurian Pear cultivars were 9.1 and 0.62, respectively, lower than the values of 32 wild accessions which were 11.3 and 0.65, respectively. A dendrogram based on the SSR genotypes was obtained, showing two major groups corresponding to cultivated group and wild group. All the cultivars fell into the cultivated group. Some subgroups (Nanguoli subgroup, Zhibazi subgroup, Xiangshuili subgroup, Balixiang subgroup, Anli subgroup) could be found in the cultivated group. A very close relationship between ‘Huagaili’ and ‘Miansuan’, and a close relationship between ‘Anli’ and a wild accession, P. ussuriensis ‘Huangshanli’ could be found in Anli subgroup. ‘Nanguoli’ and ‘Xiaowuxiang’ showed a close relationship with at least one identical allele at each locus with the exception of NH015a.     

Ambiguous genetic relationships among coconut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cocos nucifera</Emphasis> L.) cultivars: the effects of outcrossing,sample source and size,and method of analysis

A prior analysis of eight coconut cultivars with 15 microsatellite (SSR) markers drew unexpected relationships between two of the out-crossing tall cultivars evaluated: ‘Atlantic Tall’ and ‘Panama Tall’. We further investigated the relationships between these eight cultivars by increasing the number of individuals studied (particularly for ‘Atlantic Tall’ and ‘Panama Tall’), by including 28 more molecular markers, and by adding two other cultivars to our analysis. Our results show that five to ten coconut individuals do not represent a dependable sample to withdraw conclusions regarding cultivar/variety relationships, particularly when studying out-crossing genotypes. As suggested in the prior study, a high level of hybridization was observed between the ‘Atlantic Tall’ and ‘Panama Tall’ cultivars. However, at this time we were able to identify distinct groups for each one of these two cultivars. The two clustering methods used (Neighbor Joining, NJ and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean, UPGMA) produced dendrograms that resolved contrasting cultivar relationships, especially for the ‘Atlantic Tall’ and ‘Panama Tall’ cultivars. We discuss the implications of our results in regard to current scenarios of coconut domestication and future considerations when assessing genetic relationships among different varieties.     

Conservation in a changing world: <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> conservation of the giant maize of Jala

Using survey data from Jala, Mexico, this case-study evaluates in situ maize conservation of the variety ‘Jala’ (Zea mays L.). Though historically ‘Jala’ was the dominant variety grown in the valley of Jala, today less than 20% of farmers grow it on only 5% of the maize area. Younger growers of the ‘Jala’ variety specialize in it, growing relatively large amounts for niche markets. Older, diversified farmers grow small areas for household use and to compete in a local contest. Conservation of the ‘Jala’ variety has been heavily influenced by shifting ideal concepts of maize, as determined by market and consumption demands and by a contest designed to promote in situ conservation. The current move away from nationalized purchasing may favor ‘Jala’s’ continued conservation.     

A note on the evolution of kabuli chickpeas as shown by induced mutations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer reticulatum</Emphasis> Ladizinsky

Two distinct chickpeas of the domestic chickpea, C. arietinum L., exist and are referred to as ‘desi’ or microsperma and ‘kabuli’ or macrosperma. Cicer reticulatum Ladiz. is considered to be the wild progenitor of the domestic chickpea. However, the morphological variation in 18 original accessions of C. reticulatum is narrower than those of the domestic chickpeas. The aim of the study is to increase the variability in C. reticulatum. In M₂ generation, a mutant with white flower color was isolated despite of the fact that the parent has the pink flower. Although seed coat color of the parent was dark brown, the mutant was cream like ‘kabuli’ chickpea. It is commonly accepted that the large seeded domestic ‘kabuli’ chickpeas originated from the small seeded ‘desi’ chickpeas, but the induced mutants (white flower and cream seed coat color) of C. reticulatum may suggest an additional path for the evolution of ‘kabuli’ chickpea. ‘Kabuli’ chickpeas could have originated from spontaneous mutants of C. reticulatum. In M₃ generation, multipinnate leaf, erect growth habit, green seed and double-podded chickpeas were isolated. Among these progenies, morphologic variability increased and approached domesticated chickpea. Based on historical records and the induced mutants obtained from this study, the domestic ‘kabuli’ chickpea could have directly emerged from C. reticulatum in ancient Eastern Turkey.     

Ploidic and Molecular Analysis of ‘Morado de Huetor’ Asparagus (Asparagus officinale L.) Population; A Spanish Tetraploid Landrace

A study has been conducted into the genetic variation analysis of the tetraploid asparagus landrace ‘Morado de Huetor’ and its relationship with current commercial cultivars using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers. The presence of different ploidic levels in the ‘Morado de Huetor’ landrace has been also studied using cytogenetic analysis. Ten decamer oligonucleotides were used to obtain RAPD markers and to characterise 52 individuals of ‘Morado de Huetor’, 7 of the tetraploid cultivar ‘Purple Passion’, and 55 of 5 diploid hybrid commercial cultivars. Jaccard similarity index was calculated and a cluster analysis using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method using Arithmetic Average) was performed. Tetraploid asparagus, ‘Morado de Huetor’ and ‘Purple Passion’, were well differentiated from the diploid ones showing a higher genetic variability. This result suggests a different origin for tetraploid and diploid asparagus varieties. Within the diploid cultivars a variety distribution was obtained. A specific monomorphic band (OPB20₈₈₃) was found in tetraploid varieties. Within the diploid cultivars, two bands (OPB20₈₃₀, OPC15₇₀₅) can be used to distinguish between the hybrid cultivars used in this study. Tri-, penta-, hexa-, and octoploid plants were found in ‘Morado de Huetor’. The origin of these ploidic levels is discussed and their use in the development of new varieties is proposed. In conclusion, ‘Morado de Huetor’ is a genetic resource that could be used to increase the narrow genetic background reported in diploid asparagus cultivars.     

Allelopathy variation in dryland winter wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) accessions grown on the Loess Plateau of China for about fifty years

In this study, we investigated the genetic variation of allelopathic potential, its grey correlation with important agronomic characters, and rank analysis on allelopathic stability of fifteen wheat accessions commonly grown in arid regions of the Loess Plateau in China. The genetic variation of allelopathic property in dryland winter wheat showed significant differences between accessions. Allelopathic effects exhibited high heritability (55–95%) throughout the life cycle of wheat. Heritability was highest in the tillering stage and weakest in the seed filling stage. Allelopathic potential varied and was discontinuous throughout the wheat life cycle. Grey correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between allelopathic potential dependant on growth phase and agronomic characters. Allelopathic expression during some growth periods induced a partial correlation effect on some important agronomic characters that affected wheat yield. Allelopathic heritability and its degree of influence on yield were more evident in the vegetative growth stage compared to the reproductive stage. A multiple linear regression was built between allelopathic potential during different growth periods and agronomic characters pursued in wheat breeding. Allelopathic potential had a linear effect on production traits cultivated in wheat breeding. When allelopathic intensity varied from 0 to 1 in the reproductive stage, plant height ranged from 44 to 108 cm, spike length from 6.4 to 9.2 cm, number of spikelets with seeds from 13.4 to 21.0, mean seed number per spike from 41.5 to 50.3 and thousand seed weight from 36.2 to 38.3 g. Based on rank analysis, we concluded that there was a synergistic relationship between allelopathic potential in wheat and genetic, chemical and ecological factors. Triticum aestivum L. ‘No 6 Lankao’ and T. aestivum L. ‘No 22 Xiaoyan’ were identified as stable and relatively strong allelopathic accessions, whereas T. aestivum L. ‘Lankao 95–25’ was a stable but relatively weak allelopathic cultivar. Other varieties showed unstable allelopathic potential.     

Physiological,morphological, chemical and genomic diversities of different origins of thyme (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

For the selection of donors with valuable characteristics for breeding, 39 thyme accessions were evaluated in three years according to a staggered schedule. The criteria investigated were: winter hardiness, beginning of flowering, growth height, yield of the dry herb, content of essential oil, composition of the essential oil, DNA content of cell nuclei and number of chromosomes. The most strongly varying traits between the populations were the yield of dry herb, the content of essential oil and the content of volatile phenols with coefficients of variation (CV) between CV 40% and 50%. The largest variation within a population was detected for the yield of dry herb (CV 25–46%) and the content of essential oil (CV 17–48%). The homogeneity of the populations was different. The minimal average coefficient of variation of all traits (CV 19%) was determined in the population of the cultivar ‘Varico II’ and in a population from Lithuania. The ploidy level of T. vulgaris was diploid (2n = 30).     

Identification of European and Asian pears using EST-SSRs from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus</Emphasis>

Ten EST-SSRs previously isolated from Pyrus were used to identify 81 P. communis, 13 P. pyrifolia and 20 P. ussuriensis or P. × bretschneideri accessions. Cross-transference of these EST-SSRs was high in these species. PYC-008 and PYC-004 were the least informative SSRs in each of the pear species and were monomorphic in P. pyrifolia while PYC-013, PYC-002 and PYC-009b were the most informative in all species. EST-SSRs were very valuable for identification of incorrectly identified accessions, failed grafts and sets of synonyms in each of the species. Unsuspected relationships were uncovered, including a parental relationship between ‘Anjou’ and ‘Farmingdale’, a clonal relationship between ‘Berger’ and ‘Bartlett’, and a very close relationship between ‘Beurre Superfin’ and ‘Doyenne du Comice’. One SSR marker was different in one of three sports of ‘Doyenne du Comice’ (‘Doyenne du Comice Crimson Gem’) and in one of two sports of ‘Anjou’ (‘Gebhard Red’ red skin sport of ‘Anjou’). UPGMA cluster analysis separated the pear accessions into a large European cluster and an Asian group mostly according to common ancestry, geographical origin or time of ripening. High cross-transference of EST-SSRs in Pyrus species is very valuable for germplasm management in such a highly diverse collection as found at the NCGR Pyrus genebank in Corvallis, OR.     

Univariate and multivariate analysis performed on bio-agronomical traits of Cucumis melo L. germplasm

A large collection of melon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm has been established at the Section of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bari University (Italy). In the present work, data regarding the variation of 20 bio-agronomical traits recorded on entries and landraces collected in Albania and Apulia region (Southern Italy) are reported. The main objective of the study was to assess and describe, by means of univariate and multivariate analyses, the genetic diversity in the collection composed by genotypes classified in the Inodorus and Cantalupensis groups. The results obtained showed a large variation for all the traits examined. Furthermore, it was possible to identify valuable genotypes for future breeding programmes aimed at improving melon traits, particularly for the Inodorus group, which is an important crop in many Southern Italian sites. Genotypes of interest were especially selected for earliness and lateness, fruit shape, soluble solids content, storage time and fruit firmness.