Agro-Morphological Variation in Some Iranian Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Genotypes Revealed by Multivariate Analysis

Diversity of 9 local Iranian genotypes of melon was studied based on 28 quantitative and qualitative agro-morphological traits, using multivariate statistical methods. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between genotypes for all quantitative traits. However, the studied melon genotypes were previously clustered in two main groups of inodorous and cantalopensis, cluster analysis classified them in four different groups based on all traits, in particular outlaying Shadegani genotype from Inodorous group. Clustering was also supported by principal components analysis (PCA). The first two PCs contributed 60% of the total variability and demonstrated variations mainly on the basis of yield related traits including fruit number, day to flower, day to harvest, fruit weight, fruit length and other distinctive traits such as rind pattern, peduncle attachment strength, fruit firmness and aroma. Accordingly, agro-morphological traits could be used for variation studies in melons and results might be useful for improving breeding programs.