The assessment of seed production of wild melon (Cucumis melo L.) and it distribution map in Golestan province

A field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to determine seed production of wild melon in pure and in mixture with soybean at the Research Farm of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Infested regions by the weed were recorded using GPS, and then distribution map of wild melon in Golestan province was prepared based on Arc GIS software and satellite photo. Results showed that seed production of wild melons in monoculture was more than wild melon in mixture with soybean. Maximum seed production of wild melons in monoculture reached to more than 12,000 seeds per plant, while maximum seed production of the weed was about 1,400 seeds per plant in wild melon with soybean treatment. Measured reproductive traits of wild melon that tested with and without soybean were significantly different in the two years. There was an alometric relation between seed production and plant dry weight of wild melon. Distribution map revealed that wild melon is scattered throughout the province, especially west of province.