MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF EGUSI MELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS (THUMB) MATSUM AND NAKAI) FOUND IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL ZONES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Ten accessions of egusi melon were investigated using seed morphology, percentage protein and fat content as well as their molecular characters. The morphological features of the seeds revealed, they range in size from medium to large brown or golden yellow with thin or thick edge. The results obtained for percentage seed fat content showed SMATK-KD (43.90) and MAD- NG (43.69) had the highest mean values while the least mean value for percentage seed fat content was obtained from KTGO-GMB (20.07). Results obtained for percentage seed protein content revealed that the accessions KTGO-GMB (23.50) and OKIJA-AN (17.59) had highest mean values for protein content while GUS-ZAM (13.96) and AGU-ENU (14.35) produced the least mean values. The results obtained for seed weight revealed that AGU-ENU (12.90) and KTGO-GMB (12.45) had the highest mean weight obtained for 100 seeds while OKIJA-AN (10.8) and MAS-NAS (10.90) had the least mean weight values. Total genomic DNA was extracted using Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol. Genetic relatedness and variation was determined by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR analysis. Three primers were used, OPA 13, OPA 16 and OPA 18. The results of dendrogram obtained from the pooled data revealed high level of dissimilarity or diversity of 67.5% among the accessions of the melon. RAPD markers are suitable in assessing genetic diversity and can aid in the identification of desirable qualities for the introduction of new genes into breeding materials.