YIELD RESPONSE OF COMMERCIAL MUSKMELON CULTIVARS IN TWO ECOSYSTEMS, LA VILLA OF LOS SANTOS AND MANACA IN BARU.

Abstract

During the two production cicles (1994, 1995), were realized four trials to evaluate muskmelon cultivars. Two of the trials were realized in La Villa of Los Santos and two in the community of Manaca, Baru, Chiriqui. The experimental design was a randomized completed block with three and four repetitions. In 1994 the insect and disease incidence was severe. The diseases Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxisporum melonis) had a great incidence in Chiriqui; and the insectil pests of white flies (Bemisia tabaci) and aphis (Aphis gossypii) and the virosis transmited by the last one in Los Santos. The cultivars, Laredo Galleon, Durango and Primo showed a good tolerance to Downy mildew; and the cultivars Tam Dew, Tam Dew Improved and Morning Ice had a better tolerance to fusariosis. The virus diseases in La Villa affected a great number of materials, being Tam Dew the most affected. In Chiriqui, the best yield and fruit quality was shown by Galleon, Durango and Morning Ice; in Los Santos none of the cultivars surpased the yield of the commercial tester Hy-Mark. In 1995 there were no pest diseases of significant levels, neither in Chiriqui nor in Los Santos. In Chiriqui, during this year there were no significant differences between cultivars, neither in yield (kg/ha) nor in fruit number. In Los Santos significant differences were found among cultivars. Durango was the best cultivar and the only one that yielded more than the commercial variety Hy-Mark. Among the Honey dew type, none yielded more than Tam Dew. The combined statistical analysis showed non-significant differences among productive cicles, localities and the interactions among them. Chiriqui showed a better yield than Los Santos and 1995 had a better yield than 1994. These results stated the necesity of continuing assessing new Honey dew type culticars, because none of the evaluated cultivars exceeded the commercial tester neither incapability of adaptation or on stability. The commercial cultivars Cristobal and Durango showed good fruit exportation quality, high yield and good tolerance to pest and diseases which make of them good cultivars to be recommended for both localities.