Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Some of Iranian Snake Melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) Accessions Using Morphological Markers

Local accessions have developed traits that may improve their ability to adapt to local invironmental conditions. These accessions may contain genes responsible for resistance to drought, salinity, pathogens and pests. Iran is assumed to be part of diversity centers of Cucumis melo var. flexuosus. Because of high economic and horticultural importance and lack of comprehensive genetic studies, it is necessary to conduct genetic studies on local accessions.
Material and Seeds from 12 Flexuosus accessions were collected from different parts of Iran. A randomized block design was used to measure 61 qualitative and quantitative traits suggested by international plant genetic resources institute (IPGRI). Analysis of variance was performed on quantitative traits to compare accessions. The relationship between traits was accessed using Pearson correlation. Cluster analysis was carried out by UPGMA method and Euclidean’s coefficient.
The results revealed considerable diversity among snake melon accessions in many of the traits. Most of the traits were positively and negatively correlated. Factor analysis showed three important factors accounting for 84.3 percent of the total variation among traits. First to third factor assigned 36.5, 32.0 and 15.8 percent of total variation, respectively. These factors were regarded as photosynthesis, genetic and yield, respectively. Furthermore, cluster analysis grouped flexsuosus accessions into four main groups.
This research showed that grouping of accessions based on morphological markers,was not consistent with the geographical distribution of genetic distances, and accessions that were close were not necessarily close together geographically. This research also showed Iranian Flexuous germplasm is rich in genetic diversity and could have an important role to improve modern melon breeding.