Characterization study in the local melon (Cucumis melo L.) varieties

This study has been conducted in order to determine the morphological diversity of the Cucumis melo L. landraces, provided from different regions, in addition to the registered varieties of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute. 43 melon accessions from different cities of Turkey such as Denizli, Muğla, Uşak, Manisa, Çanakkale, İzmir, Van have been collected and studied by using IPGRI and UPOV descriptors. During these studies 10 traits of seed; 3 traits of seedling; 6 traits of plant; 16 traits of leaf; 6 traits of flower and 37 traits of fruit; together with another 8 phenological traits, a total 86 traits have been observed. Morphological and phenological traits showed significant variation among accessions. By applying cluster analysis according to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and UPGMA to the acquired data, dendrograms have been formed. Cluster analysis of morphological and phenological characters divided local melon accession into four groups.