Abstract

Morphological and molecular characterization helps identify desirable traits in exotic germplasm, expediting crop breeding. Genetic variability assessment of several domestic melon germplasm has been already analyzed in Bangladesh. There is a lack of information regarding the assessment of genetic variability in exotic melon germplasm. The study evaluated five exotic melon germplasm using morphological and molecular markers for their morphological, genetic, and yield performance. Five germplasms exhibited morphological variations in all studied characteristics. Variations were recorded among the germplasm in terms of flowering, harvesting, branching, fruit size, weight, yield, and quality. The findings indicated that the ME18 genotype germplasm achieved the greatest fruit weight (3.87), brix index (10.80), and yield (9.43). The ME26 germplasm demonstrated similar fruit weight (3.73), brix index (10.30), and yield (8.60). The study found lower-than-expected heterozygosity (0.264 vs 0.473), indicating selection pressure. Five primers generated 24 alleles across 5 germplasm. CMGA104 and CMCTT144 had 6 alleles, CMAG59 had 5, CMTA134a had 4, and CMTA170a had 3. Allele size ranged from 90 bp (CMAG59) to 415 bp (CMGA104). The polymorphism Information content values ranged from 0.301 to 0.689. The study suggests further analysis for genetic enhancement and the existence of exotic melon germplasm.

Key words: Melon, morphological variations, microsatellite DNA marker, genomic DNA, genetic diversity.