Investigation of Genetic Diversity and Multivariate Analysis of some Iranian melon cultivars based on Morpho-physiological characteristics under Salinity Stress in Greenhouse

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticulture, Agriculture Faculty, University of Maragheh

2 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh

3 Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh

4 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, Iran.

5 Dept. of Horticultural Science Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran.

10.22034/saps.2024.58711.3126

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses limiting crop production worldwide. Considering the increasing extent of saline lands and the high costs of soil reclamation, identifying plant genotypes with high salinity tolerance is a priority in breeding programs. This study was conducted to evaluate genetic variation among 10 Iranian native melon (Cucumis melo L.) populations under salinity stress and to identify salt-tolerant genotypes.
 
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out as a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three replications under controlled greenhouse conditions. Ten native melon populations were exposed to different salinity levels using NaCl (including a non-stress control and salinity treatments up to 150 mM). Morphophysiological traits such as shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll index (SPAD), relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), electrolyte leakage, and Na and K concentrations and their ratio (K/Na) in the leaves were measured.
 
Results: Under salinity stress, the highest shoot fresh weight (346.5 g) and chlorophyll index (69.3) were obtained in the ‘Kalk Sardasht’ genotype under non-stress conditions, while the lowest values were recorded in ‘Tokhmeh Ata’ (38.47 g) and ‘Amoochi Daraz’ (31.57 g) at 150 mM NaCl. The highest relative water content and membrane stability index were observed in ‘Kalk Qorveh’ under control conditions, whereas ‘Tokhmeh Ata’ showed the lowest values at the highest salinity level (RWC = 65.28%) and the highest electrolyte leakage (99.76%). The highest Na (22.57 mg g⁻¹ FW), K (27.48 mg g⁻¹ FW) and K/Na ratio (23.32) were found in ‘Qobadlou’, ‘Qasr Shirin’ and ‘Tokhmeh Ata’, respectively, while the lowest values (0.94 mg g⁻¹ FW for Na and 4.81 mg g⁻¹ FW for K) were also observed in ‘Tokhmeh Ata’ seeds.
 
Conclusion: Overall, the results indicated considerable genetic variation among the studied melon populations in response to salinity stress. Given their superior performance across most morphophysiological traits under salt stress, the cultivars ‘Shalagh’ and ‘Girke’ can be considered valuable genetic resources for melon improvement and breeding programs aimed at enhancing salinity tolerance.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 36, Issue 1
2026
Pages 321-340

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