Genotype x environmental interaction of muskmelon with special reference to earliness, yield and yield contributing traits

Fifty genotypes of muskmelon were evaluated for stability with respect to days to anthesis of first male and female flowers, node of first female flower, vine length, number of fruits/plant, fruit weight and yield /ha in three consecutive environments. The mean sum of squares due to genotypes, when tested against G x E and pooled deviation and environmental variances, when tested against G x E interaction were highly significant for all the traits indicating genetic variability among the genotypes and environments were effective in influencing the performance of the genotypes, respectively. The mean sum of squares due to G x E interaction and G x E (L) were highly significant for all the attributes and indicated that major components of differences in stability were due to both linear and non-linear components and the performance can be predicted over the environments. Based on the environmental indices, the environment E 3 was most favourable for all the characters studied. Considering the stability parameters of individual genotypes, it is revealed that the genotypes VRM 42-4-1A-1 and Monoecious-3 had regression coefficient bi congruent to 1 with non-significant deviation from regression (S(2)di) displayed wider stability for almost all the traits and these genotypes can be utilized in further breeding improvement programmes.