Agronomic performance of eight sweet melon cultivars in three ecological zones of Ghana

Abstract

In this study, Sweet melons were evaluated in different ecological zones to select those best suited for exporters and other stakeholders in the horticultural industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of eight Sweet melon cultivars (Alpes, Amaral, Kousto, Mirella, Makenna, Anish, Raneen and Alameda) for their growth, yield and fruit quality characters in three different ecological zones (Forest, Coastal and Guinea savanna zones) of Ghana in two seasons (2008 and 2009). The design of the field experiments was Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial combination of eight cultivars and two locations replicated three times. However, in order to obtain information on the effects of season, the results in both seasons were analyzed as a split-split-plot design with season as the main block, location as sub-plot and cultivar as sub-sub plot. Results indicated significant differences in agronomic performance among the varieties in the different ecological zones as well as significant cultivar×location interaction. Yield was higher atBinduri (Guinea savanna zone) and Kade (Forest zone) than at Sogakope (Coastal savanna zone). Cultivars Alameda and Ranneen recorded the highest fruit weight while Alpes had the lowest. Sugar content was lowest at Kade (Forest zone) and highest at Sogakope (Coastal savanna zone). Alpes, Anish, Mirella and Makeenna were found to be early maturing and can be recommended for export due to their earliness. From the studies all the varieties except Makeenna at Kade performed well in all the three agro-ecological zones and thus are suitable for cultivation. © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific.