EXPLORATION AND STUDY OF THE DIVERSE ECOTYPES OF VEGETABLE MELONS (CUCUMIS MELO) IN COMPARISON WITH CUCUMBERS (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) FOR INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION, TAXONOMIC STUDY AND ORGANOLEPTIC ANALYSIS

Cucumis melo L. represents a highly diverse group within the genus Cucumis, consumed as a fruit and a vegetable. The melo species divides into two primary sub-species, agrestis and melo, exhibiting significant diversity in fruit traits, frequently complicating the identification of sub-species. The Cucumis melo cultivars, commonly known as melo in English and "southekayi" in the local language Kannada, share many similar fruit traits with Cucumis sativus. Most of the fruit traits are similar in both the species, hence these local melons are confused with sativus types. For the development of improved varieties in melos their taxonomic identification is prerequisite.  To discern the species and its taxonomy, 32 local cultivars Cucumis melo were subjected to interspecific hybridization with Cucumis sativus testers, utilizing a Line X Tester analysis approach. We conducted a taxonomic investigation by comparing growth, vegetative, and fruit traits of melos and sativus types. While interspecific crosses yielded no success, intraspecific hybridization produced fertile hybrids among local cultivars. Taxonomic assessment distinguished certain traits that set apart local ecotypes from sativus types. Evaluation of fruit quality traits, based on five plants per cultivar, revealed a wide range of characteristics, including color (from light to dark green), secondary patterns (blotches to lines), and shapes (round to oblong), alongside varying fruit textures (soft to hard). Organoleptic testing categorized cultivars for salads, pickling, and curry preparation. This study confirms these local cultivars as part of the Cucumis melo sub-species agrestis. It highlights the urgency of conserving and utilizing these races to develop improved varieties, given their rich source of favourable alleles and potential for meeting contemporary needs.