Spacing and genotype affect fruit sugar concentration, yield, and fruit size of muskmelon

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes, Birdsnest 1 ['Qalya' (BN1)], Birdsne st 2 (BN2), and 'Mission' (V) were used to determine the effects of differi ng plant architecture and spacing on fruit sugar concentration and yield. T he BN1 and BN2 genotypes possessed a highly branched growth habit specific to birdsnest melon types. but not characteristic of standard indeterminate vining types (e.g., 'Mission'). Experiments were conducted at both the Hanc ock and Arlington Experimental Farms in Wisconsin, where plant response to two within-row spacings [35 cm (72,600 plants/ha) and 70 cm (36,300 plants/ ha)] in rows on 210-cm centers was examined, Genotypes were grown in a rand omized complete-block design with four replications at each location and ev aluated for primary lateral branch number, fruit number per plant and per h ectare, average fruit weight, yield per plant (g), yield per hectare (t), a nd fruit sugar concentration. Yield, fruit number, and sugar concentration were higher for all genotypes at Arlington than at Hancock. The main effect of genotype was significant for all traits examined. Genotypes BN1 and V b ad higher mean fruit weight, yield per plant and per hectare, and fruit qua lity (fruit sugar concentration) than did BN2. Spacing affected all traits, except primary branch number and fruit sugar concentration. Fruit number a nd yield per plant and average fruit weight were higher with wider spacing, but yield (t.ha(-1)) and fruit number per hectare were lower.