Variability and Physico-chemical Studies in Snap Melon (cucumis Melo var. Momordica)

The resent investigation was carried out in the DAPS (Horticulture), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow for periodical evaluation of various physico-chemical parameters viz., length of fruits (cm), diameter of fruits (cm), size of fruits (cm), weight of fruits (kg), colour of skin/rind of fruit, weight of seeds/fruit, shape of fruits, colour of flesh, total soluble solid (TSS), acidity (percentage), compactness of fruits, aroma of fruits and taste of fruits. The genotypes of Snap melon i.e. Local-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were designated as V1, V2,V3V4, V5,V6 V7, V8,V9 and V10, respectively during the investigation. In each treatment/genotype, two-ten fruits were randomly selected for recording the observations on various parameters. Genotype V5 had maximum fruit length (27 cm) whereas, V6 had highest fruit diameter (24cm), fruit size (600cm), weight (3kg), seeds weight (23kg), TSS content (50 Brix) and acidity content (6.8%). The minimum fruit length was recorded in genotypes V7 (12cm) whereas, minimum fruit diameter and fruit size was recorded in genotype V9 (8cm and 112 cm, respectively). The minimum fruit weight was recorded in V2 (0.90 kg). Minimum seed weight was recorded in genotype V2 (4.0 g). Lowest TSS was observed in V5 (40 Brix) while, minimum acidity in V5 (3.5%). Snap melon Local- 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9 were found compact in nature whereas, Local-3 and 10 were found less compact. Melon Local-1 and 8 had banana like aroma rather than snap melon Local-2 and 5 having light banana like aroma. The study evaluated that snap melon Local-1, 2, 8 and 10 have acidic taste whereas, snap melon Local-3, 4, 6 and 9 have sweet taste. Genotypes snap melon Local-5 and 7 found tasteless. The overall studied suggested that genotype V6 performed better for its bigger size fruits with good aroma and taste.