کریم عرب سلمانی

Cucumis sativus L. (2n=2x=14) originates from the south of the Himalayan mountains and has at least 3000 years of history of cultivation in India. According to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture, about 75% of greenhouse production belongs to greenhouse cucumbers. This plant, with a cultivated area of 7539 ha-1 and a production amounting to 1923865 t year-1, is considered one of the most important vegetable and summer greenhouse products in the country. Cucumber varieties should have characteristics such as high yield, quality of taste, shelf life and resistance to diseases. Based on this, modified cultivars and imported cultivars must pass compatibility tests in order to be able to enter commercial fields. Recent research in Japan shows that by creating suitable conditions for various factors in the greenhouse (light distribution, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, irrigation, nutrition and pruning), the yield of greenhouse cucumbers can be up to 40 kg m-2 year-1 year. The difference between different varieties of cucumber is primarily due to characteristics such as the number of fruits per plant, fruit size (fruit length and length-to-diameter ratio) and fruit surface characteristics (the presence of grooves, surface smoothness, and fruit color). The number of cucumbers per plant is one of the most important yield components. The study of 9 varieties of cucumbers in greenhouse conditions showed that the range of changes in the number of cucumbers per plant varied from 19 to 54.3, and Khasib variety had the highest yield with the production of 14.9 kg of fresh weight per square meter.

In order to compare the yield, yield components and some morpho-physiological characteristics of greenhouse cucumber hybrids produced in the country, a research was conducted in 2022 under greenhouse conditions in Varamin city. In this research, 11 greenhouse cucumber hybrids along with 4 regional control cultivars were evaluated in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The initial tillage including plowing, disc and soil disinfection was done through sunning the soil. The width of the seed planting bed was considered to be 70 cm in order to provide the possibility of two-row cultivation. The width of the corridors was considered to be 80 cm in order to provide proper ventilation and access of workers to the bushes for operations and harvest during the period. The drip irrigation system was chosen so that one tape strip could be used for each row of crops. The plant needed fertilizer during the growth period and was determined based on the soil test and provided to the plant through the irrigation system. Fruit yield for different harvests (once every 10 harvests) and total fresh fruit yield based on the total area of the plot (after removing the margins) and traits such as plant height (meters), internode length (cm), leaf length (cm), Leaf width (cm), petiole length (cm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (mm), number of fruits per plant and fruit weight per plant (grams) based on the selection of 10 plants per plot was taken. The fruit shape index was obtained from the ratio of the length to the diameter of the fruit. For the experimental hybrids, after harvest fruit color was determined by grouping (light green to green), (green), (green to dark green) and dark green.

Based on the obtained results, the hybrid (IR4) with a total fresh fruit yield of 11.49 kg m-2 had a significantly higher performance than other hybrids, but there is not a significant difference between this hybrid and the hybrid (IR5) with a fruit weight of 10.61 kg m-2. 10 harvested stages for two hybrids (IR4) and (IR5) constituted 24.6 and 22.9% of the total yield, respectively. The hybrids (IR11) and (IR6) had the longest and shortest fruit length with 16.60 cm and 11.12 cm, respectively. The fruit shape index (the ratio of fruit length to diameter) in hybrid (IR11) had the highest value (6.35). The hybrids (IR4) and (IR5) that produced the highest yields per hectare had the highest number of fruits plant-1 with 108.72 and 84.22 cucumbers plant-1, respectively. The presence of this number of fruits is one of the important factors for producing high yields in these two hybrids, and the number of fruits in the rest of the hybrids is often in the range of 50 to 70 cucumbers per plant. Although in some studies the number of 135 fruits plant-1 is also mentioned for greenhouse cucumbers, but in most cases this number is less than 50. The color of the fruit is also an important quality attribute that is very important in the cucumber market. This trait varies from light green to dark green. Hybrid (IR9) dark green, hybrids (IR2), (IR6), (IR13) (IR15) dark green to green, hybrids (IR1), (IR3), (IR4), (IR5), (IR12) and (IR14) was green and hybrids (IR7), (IR8), (IR10) and (IR11) had light green to green color. The superior performance of two experimental hybrids and the equal performance of 7 other experimental hybrids (out of 11 studied hybrids) compared to the control hybrids can be a good promise for the production of greenhouse cucumber hybrid varieties by domestic companies.

Behrad, a new long eggplant cultivar with dark purple color, high yield potential and moderately resistance to Fusarium wiltBehrad eggplant cultivar (line Y6) was selected, evaluated and released by using the pure line selection (single plant selection) method from Yazd tall eggplant landrace during 2007-2018. This line was selected as one of the superior lines during all experiments including Augment, preliminary, advanced and adabtability and yield stability trials. Advanced selected lines were examined in Karaj, Varamin and Dezful regions. The results showed that line Y6 produced 46.1 tha-1 compare to control variety with 12 tha-1. Furthermore, this line had appropriate quality characteristics. The results of adabtability and yield stability trials during 2011 to 2012 showed that the Line Y6 had the highest average yield, 55.4 tha-1, and stabiltity among studied lines. Line Y6 was releasead as a new variety so called Behrad, with a high yield, uniformity and fruit quality.

Azin (line BJ30) is a new eggplant cultivar was initially selected, evaluated and introduced from a Borazjan eggplant landrace after evaluation in several years during 2007-2009 using pure line selection method (single plant selection). This line was always selected as one of the top genotypes during all experiments such as augmented, preliminary, advanced and compatibility and stability. BJ30 line was selected as a superior line in combined analysis of variances for regions in advanced yield experiments (2010) with a mean yield of 43.5 tons and a difference about 9 tons per hectare with control genotype and with appropriate quality characteristics. Other top lines entered compatibility and stability tests. Based on the results of combined analysis of compatibility and stability tests in Karaj, Dezful, Urmia, Jiroft and Sari regions for two yeras, line BJ30 with an average yield of 34.1 tons per hectare had the highest yield and was the second most stable genotype in stability analysis. Also, evaluation of the response of BJ30 promising line to fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt disease agents showed that this line is resistant to both of these diseases. BJ30 promising line was introduced as Azin cultivar in 2018 due to its very high yield, uniformity and suitable quality characteristics of fruit and resistance to common eggplant diseases.

In this experiment, an advanced population obtained by crossing and periodic self-selection in the two populations of cantaloupe (Samsouri and Yellow Beetle Melon), with three cantaloupe (Samsouri, Zamche and Shahabadi) and Muskmelon Yellow Beetle cultivars, in three province of Tehran, Isfahan and Golestan for quantitative and qualitative evaluation were compared. The area was moldboard-plowed and disked before planting. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each plot was planted two lines at intervals of 3 m and a length of 15 meters and planting depth was 2-3 cm. Irrigation was conducted based depletion of 50 percent of moisture in rooting depth. Cantaloupe and muskmelon seeds populations used in the experiment were prepared of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Number of fruits per plant, single fruit weight, fruit skin thickness were measured by randomly selecting 10 fruits from each plot. The fresh yield was determined by harvesting surface equivalent to five square meters of each plot. Fruit sugar content was also measured randomly on 10 fruits from each plot by a refractometer. The firmness and shelf life of the fruits were evaluated based on the degree of spoilage of 20 fruits in two 6-day and 9-day periods under normal conditions. Percentage of rotten fruit was recorded in each period. The data were subjected to combined analysis of variance by SAS and means Fisher’s Protected LSD (5%) was used for mean separation.The effect of year on experimental traits was not statistically significant, but the effect of area on yield traits, number of fruits and percentage of fruit brix was significant at 1% level. The effect of genotype on all experimental traits was also significant at 1% level (except for fruit brix at 5%). Yield was significantly higher in Varamin and Isfahan than in Gorgan. The amount of this increase in Varamin and Isfahan compared to Gorgan was 41.6% and 34.2%, respectively. One of the main reasons for this increase was the higher number of fruits per plant. Differences in yield of cantaloupe genotypes in different regions may sometimes range from 10 to 76 t ha-1. Yield and number of fruits per plant of hybrid population were 16.20 t ha-1 and 2.34 number, respectively, which was not significantly different from Semsuri cantaloupe, but was significantly higher than other experimental populations. The fruit weight of hybrid populations (1.09 kg) was similar to Semsuri cantaloupe but was less than that of Muskmelon yellow beetle (1.83 kg) and Jaju populations (1.95 kg). In the United States, Brix 9 is considered good and Brix 11 is very good for cantaloupes but Brix is less than 10 for less attractive customers. The diameter of the ovarian cavity in the hybrid population was 6.76 cm, which was 32, 14.7 and 36% smaller than the populations of Shahabadi, Muskmelon yellow beetle and Jaju, respectively. In terms of fruit diameter, hybrid populations with 30.85 mm fruit diameter had a higher diameter than Semsuri population (28.78 mm) and a smaller diameter than Shahabadi population (37.94 mm). Percentage of fruit waste produced after 6 and 9 days was 3.3% and 10.5%, respectively, which was significantly lower than Semsuri and Shahabadi and Jaju melons but similar to beetle muskmelons. The hybrid population was similar with Semsuri population in number to fruit per plant, but in terms of percentage of Brix (fruit sugar) is closer to beetle Muskmelon, and most important after fruit harvesting shelf-life was similar to beetle Muskmelon and much higher than to semsuri.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a diploid plant (2n= 24). Eggplant cultivated as perennial in the tropics regions and grown as an annual in temperate areas According to the statistics of FAO, the area under eggplant cultivation in Iran were about to 21.3 thousand hectares, with an average yield of 31.4 tons per hectare. Eggplants grow into large plants that causes too much plant canopy, so pruning the plant is a good way to reduce the number of branches, leaves and to increase fruit set. Normally, pruning is not done on the eggplant plant and only 2 plants per square meter could be grown in the field and also greenhouse conditions. However, pruning operations should be performed in greenhouse conditions and plants might be kept with 2 to 4 branches. A study was conducted to evaluate the best method of eggplant pruning in greenhouse conditions in the Netherlands and the plants were pruned into one or two branches. Plants were pruned again from the second branch in different cases including the first, third, sixth and ninth nodes. The results showed that severe pruning had a positive effect on plant conditions and fruitset was better in heavily pruned plants.

This experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in greenhouse conditions in Varamin city. This area located 40 km from Tehran with an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, an area of approximately 1500 square kilometers, longitude 50 degrees and 51 minutes, latitude 19 degrees and 35 minutes and the amount of first and second-degree agricultural lands 75 thousand Hectares. The average long-term annual rainfall is 120 mm, and the prevailing wind direction is southeast to northwest. The combined analysis based on a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications conducted and the treatments included three methods of plant pruning (two-branch, three-branch and four-branch). The seeds of Bellen variety planted in culture trays containing enriched peat moss and placed in an environment with a temperature of approximately 27 °C and relative humidity of 80%. After germination of seeds, the ambient temperature decreased to 24 °C during the day and 18 °C during the night. After the seedlings reached 3-4 leaves, they transferred to the main greenhouse. Pruning and guiding the plant on the scaffolding began with the first flower appearing on the meristem axis. All the male branches removed before the mentioned flower and the sub-branches branching from the main axis were allowed to grow above the first flower position. After data collection, data analyzed by SAS software and the means compared by Duncan test.

The effect of year on yield and yield components of eggplant were not statistically significant (Duncan 5%). Effect of pruning treatments on yield components, number of fruits in the first cut and early maturity index at 5% level and on total yield, the total number of fruits and number of fruits per plant were also statistically significant at 1% level. Two-branch and four-branch pruning treatments were statistically superior to three-branch pruning treatments, but considering the yield in the first four harvests, two-branch pruning treatment with the production of 5.33 t  ha-1, compared to two three-pruning treatments and four branches showed a significant increase. Earliness index of plants that pruning in two, three and four plant branches were 12.21, 9.5 and 8.83%, respectively. The total yield in three pruning treatments of two, three and four branches were 44.45, 46.67 and 49.87 t ha-1, respectively. The results showed that branch pruning had positive effects on eggplant yield and based on the purpose of the research, including early crop production or higher total performance, the type of pruning will be different. Examination of the correlation coefficients of the traits measured in the experiment also showed that the relationship between pruning (branch removal) and yield in both totals (0.69*) and the first four harvests (0.80**) was significant. The correlation between the number of branches and eggplant yield has reported in some other studies nevertheless in some studies has not the different relationship between performance and number of plant branches. In reviewing the performance and diversity of morphological traits of some local varieties of Iranian eggplant relationship between fruit yield and number of fruits per plant were positive and significant.

In order to evaluate the compatibility and stability of the Iran eggplant lines, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications and for 2 years in five regions of the country including Karaj, Neishabour, Minab, Urmia and Varamin. In this project, 8 advanced eggplant lines of the country, including lines N12, N61, Y3, Y9, SH2, SH12, V44 and B29, Were located with three longpril controls, Long Varamin and Chahbaland Neishabour long well mass were evaluated in compatibility and stability tests. Combined data analysis showed that the effect of year, place and treatment was significant, as well as the interactions of year in place, place in variety, and year in place in variety at the level of 1% probability. The results showed that among the tested areas, Neishabour with the average yield of 60.56 tons per hectare had the highest yield. Among the studied lines, Y6 and SH2 lines had the highest yield with an average yield of 55.4 and 54.78 tons per hectare, respectively. According to the results of stability analysis by AMMI method, lines N12, N61, V44, SH12 and Y3 are recommended as lines with general stability and average suitable performance for all regions of the Iran.

Given the performance and desirable quality characteristics of the fruit in the promising D7 line, the introduction of this line as a new variety of eggplant was very justified and will certainly be associated with a much higher economic income for the producer. In addition, the new version of Brilliant Eggplant is a very serious domestic competitor for foreign cultivars, which is completely in line with the goals of the Resistance Economic Program and is certainly a step towards preventing the outflow of foreign currency and helping domestic employment. Therefore, the promising Line D7 was introduced in 1397 as a new variety of bright eggplant.

In the project "Selection of Lines from Five Indigenous Masses of Eggplant in Iran", 5 indigenous masses of eggplant in the country were collected and subjected to a pure line selection correction program. Selected lines along with Varamin pen as a witness, for one year in three regions of Karaj, Varamin and Dezful under the project "Investigation of selected lines of native eggplants in advanced experiments" in the form of complete block statistics accidentally and were repeated in 3 replications. The performance stability of the genotypes was evaluated using the relative superiority coefficient method. The selected lines of advanced performance experiments in five regions of Karaj, Jiroft, Urmia, Dezful and Mazandaran were studied for two years. The experimental treatments included 4 advanced lines of sweet and semi-sweet eggplant and three witnesses (local Borazjan, Qasri Dezful and Black Beauty). Finally, an experiment was carried out in the field of farmers' farms in Dusari city, located in the south of Kerman province, with the cultivation of promising Line BJ30, D7, D1 and non-hybrid eggplants Results &

At the end of the first year of the project (2006) and due to quantitative and qualitative traits and with special emphasis on fruit traits, the top single plants were selected and at the end of their fruits were sown. In the second year of the project (2007) it was done as an agent, the top lines were selected, and the D7 line was selected as one of the selected lines with a difference of 10.3 tons per hectare with the mother control (Dezful Qasri Mass). At the end of the third year of the project, which was done in the form of a completely randomized block design and according to the average comparisons, the selected lines were selected and introduced for advanced experiments. As a result of these studies, the D7 line was selected with a yield of 39 tons per hectare and a difference of about 10 tons per hectare with the Varamin pen witness and having the highest yield among the selected lines from Dezful Palace. In advanced yield tests (2010) in Karaj, Varamin and Dezful regions, D7 line with a yield of 37.1 tons per hectare and with appropriate quality characteristics was selected as a top line. The results of compatibility and sustainability studies during the years 2011 to 2013 showed that this line with an average yield of 31.4 tons per hectare and the high sustainability. Line D7 was introduced as Derakhshan variety with its high yield, uniformity and good fruit quality.

The new Derakhshan eggplant (D7 line) was selected, evaluated and introduced by the method of pure line selection (single plant selection) during the years 2006-2018 from Qasri Dezful eggplant landrace. This line has always been selected as one of the top lines during all experiments such as Augment, preliminary, advanced and compatibility and stability Keywords: Quality, Uniformity, Yield stability. References Bagheri, M. 2010. Selection of lines from five native eggplants of Iran. Final research project report. Varamin Agricultural Research Center. Agricultural Education and Extension Research Organization. 37Pp. (In Persian with English Summary) Bagheri, M., Zarifinia, N., Emami, A., Khoshkam, S., and Amoli, N. 2015. Assess the compatibility and sustainability of the country's advanced eggplant laying lines. Publications of the Seed and Seedling Breeding Research Institute, Final Report. 24Pp. (In Persian with English Summary) Brancourt, M., Hulmel, G. 2000. Selecting Varieties for the Environment Selecting the Right Varieties for the Environment and Taking Account of Genotypes/Environment Interaction. Oleagineux, Crop Gras, Lipides, 7(6): 504-511.

In order to study the germination and seedling growth characteristics of three cantaloupe populations (Semsuri Varamin, Magase Neishabur and Green tile of Mashhad) at different salinity levels (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 dS m-1 ), a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in 2012 at Varamin Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. Results showed that three cantaloupe populations were significantly different in germination characteristics (radicle and plumule length, germination rate and fresh weight), as well as seedling growth (plant height, leaf area and fresh weight). The effect of salinity treatments on germination and seedling growth was significant, but the effect of salinity treatment and populations interactions was not significant. In germination stage, salinity tolerance index of Varamin (86%) had significant superiority to the other populations. In 3 to 11 dS m-1 salinity, fresh seedling weight decreased proportionally to salinity level by 7%. With increasing salinity levels, seedling leaf area decreased linearly. According to the results, increasing salinity more than 3 dS m-1 reduced germination rate and seedling weight of cantaloupe and therefore salinity of irrigation water should not be exceed 3 dS m-1 for proper establishment and acceptable emergence.

Cucumis melo L. is one of the most important horticultural products in Iran. According to some reports from the third millennium BC, it has been under cultivation in. High nutritional value and high vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron have made it to be a valuable fruit. According to the environmental conditions and cultivar, melon flowering began 30-60 days after planting and 30-70 days after pollination, the product can be harvested. Immature melon is tasteless and towards maturity, its sweetness increases. From the economic point of view, the minimum acceptable sweetness of melon's cultivars is 9% in terms of the total amount of fruit-soluble solids, but according to the vendors, this number should be 11% or more. The arid and semi-arid regions of the world are the main habitat for such products as melon and salinity stress as an integral part of these areas is an important factor for decreasing yield. The effect of salinity stress in melon's reproductive stage is somewhat more complex than other products, because some reports indicated a significant decrease in yield, number of fruit and weight of melon fruits in salinities greater than 2 dS m-1 and even some researchers determine the threshold of tolerance of 1 dS m-1. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of two salinity treatments on yield and yield components of three melon cultivars in Varamin province. This research was carried out in 2013 using split plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Varamin Agricultural Center located in 45 km Southeast East of Tehran (35 ° 35 ', 19', 51 ', 39') 1000 meters above sea level. Prior to the experiment, the first step was to prepare the soil including deep plowing and disc. The main plots consisted of irrigation water salinity treatments at 8 dS m-1 (prepared from the Ishraq area) and 2 dS m-1 (prepared from the Khaveh station). The subplots consisted of 3 Cantaloupe masses, including Semsoori Varamin, Green Tile of Mashhad and Magasie Neishabur. The soil of the place-tested sandy loam and the amounts of organic matter (in percent), acidity and salinity (in dS m-1) were 0.95, 7.5 and 2.1 respectively. Based on the soil test, 100 kg ha-1 phosphorus (triple superphosphate) and 150 kg ha-1 potassium (as potassium sulfate) and 150 kg ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer (urea before and after flowering) were added to the ground the experiment. The cultivation date was selected May 5th. The length and diameter of the flesh with the ruler and the percentage of fruit-soluble solids were measured using a refractometer based on 10 fruits, and then the mean of the obtained numbers was taken as the final value. Before harvest, the average number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight were measured and recorded based on the performance of sub plots and the middle lines of each plot. All soil and vegetation tests were carried out in the laboratory of the Soil and Water Research Department of Varamin Agricultural Research Center. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software and the meanings were compared with Duncan's method (5%). The effect of interaction of salinity and genotype on the length of the fruit (at 1% level) and on the traits of seed cavity thickness, percentage of soluble solids, fruit meal diameter, fruit weight and fresh yield (at 5% level) were statistically significant. In salinity 8 dS m-1 compared to 2 dS m-1, the fresh yield of Semsuri Varamin, Green Tile of Mashhad and Magase Neishabur decreased by 32.7, 45.6 and 80%, respectively. Salinity stress can increase the percentage of non-marketable fruits by reducing the weight of fruits, and it is reported in salinity of 8 dS m-1, which is a 56% decrease in marketable yield. The highest reduction in fruit weight and number of fruits per plant were related to the two mass of Magase Neishabur (average weight 540 g) and Green Tile of Mashhad (average number of 1.23 fruit per plant), respectively. Similarly, in a research with a salinity increase of 2.41 dS m-1 to 12.6 dS m-1, yields dropped from 37 t ha-1 to 28 t ha-1, mainly due to the reduction in the number of fruits. The length of fruits in three populations of Semsuri Varamin, Green Tile of Mashhad and Magase Neishabur in the salinity of 8 dS m-1 compared to 2 dS m-1 decreased by 25, 30 and 45%, respectively. Increasing salinity from 3 to 5 dS m-1 caused a significant decrease in fruit length in products such as cucumber (equivalent to 25%). Increasing the percentage of fruit solids in salinity of 8 dS m-1compared to 2 dS m-1 treatment, was 5.8, 1.75 and 1.5 times, respectively, in the Magase Neishabur, Green Tile of Mashhad and Semsuri masses. In a study in which the effect of different treatments on salinity was investigated on the percentage of soluble fruit solids, increasing salinity from 2 to 8 dS m-1 increased the percentage of soluble solids from 7.6 to 10.5 percent.

In the present study، twenty two selected lines from eleven Iranian eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) landraces along with Varamin landrace، as control، were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three locations (Karaj، Varamin and Dezful). Sum of yield and marketing score for each line was recorded. Analysis of variance for yield showed significant differences among lines in all locations. Combined analysis also showed high significant differences for lines، locations and interaction of line × location. Line V44 with 39. 4 tha-1 produced the highest yield and had a very good marketing score، while line B60 with 26. 8 tha-1 produced the lowest yield. Based on these results، twelve lines D1، D7، D13، SH2، SH12، N12، N61، Y3، Y9، B29، V44 and B130 were selected for yield adaptability and stability traits..

To investigate the effect of ethephon on control of male flowers in melon, a split plot experiment, with randomized complete blocks design and three replications, was conducted in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Varamin, Iran, during 2005-2006. The main factor included three levels of plant growth stage (3-leaf, 6-leaf and early reproductive stage) and sub-plots included four ethephon levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/L). The appearance time of female flowers, number of male and female flowers (7 and 14 days after application of ethephon), total yield and female/male flowers ratio were evaluated. Results showed that plant response to increasing concentration of ethephon depends on plant growth stage. By using the ethephon concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/L, the emergence of female flowers was delayed 6, 13 and 15 days, respectively, in comparison to control. The highest yield (26430 kg/ha) was obtained with spraying of 200 mg/L ethephon in trifoliate plants. In this case, the ratio of female to male flowers was highest (81.5%). A high dose of ethephon (over 200 mg/L) was associated with reduced yield and ratio of female to male flowers, at all stages of plant growth, especially in reproductive growth stage. The results this research showed that the beneficial effects of ethephon application is possible only if the right time is chosen with respect to plant growth.

In order to study different methods of separating the seeds of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticualus) from the sorrounding fleshy tissues (placenta) and the effects of various treatments on seed germination characteristics, an experiment was conducted in Agricultural and Natural Research Center of Varamin, Iran, in 2009. In this research, which was based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates, three methods of seed separation including fermentation (for 24 and 48 hours), sulfuric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 12, 24, 49 and 98 percent) and hydrochloric acid (0.5, 1, 2, 4.8, 9.5, 18 and 38 percent) were used. The results showed that 98% sulfuric acid treatment was able to finish the seed separation process within 5 minutes, and with germination rate of 0.058 seeds per day was among the best treatments. In hydrochloric acid treatment, especially at high concentrations (18 and 38 percent), though seed separation was performed at acceptable rate and had positive effects on seed germination rate and percentage, but the electrical conductivity of seed solution showed that these treatments increased leakage of cellular materials, in addition to significant reduction of radicle and plumule length. Fermentation treatments had positive effects on separation and germination characteristics, except that they prolonged the time required for seed separation (24 and 48 hours). Among the treatments, the 98% sulfuric acid was superior to other treatments due to faster separation of seeds from the fleshy parts and its positive effects on seed germination characteristics.

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalopensis) is an important vegetable crop and is grown on 35000 hectares in Iran, mostly in Tehran, Markazi, Qom, Esfahan, Khorasan, Semnan, Booshehr and Hormozgan provinces. To improve local Semsoori population for concentrated yielding, a breeding program was initiated in 2000 in Varamin Agricultural Research Center, Varamin, Iran. In the first step a mass selection was carried out for number of fruit plant-1, and then the program continued following S1 recurrent selection. S1 full-sib family breeding scheme continued for three generations. Traits under selection included; days to initiation of lateral branches on main stem, number of female flowers and number of fruit plant-1. Derived plants from each generation were selfed by hand and isolated to avoid cross-pollination. Selection in each generation carried out on previous inbred generations and continued for three generations. After three generations, the concentrated yielding showed homogeneity. The improved population was compared with local Semsoori population as original population and Niagara cultivar as check in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for yield, early ripening and number of female flowers. Also a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed in sugar content of fruit. The improved population had the highest yield, early ripening, number of female flowers and fruit sugar content. Significant difference was observed between local population and improved population of Semsoori cantaloupe. Improved population had no difference with Niagara cultivar in the number of female flowers and early ripening. The highest and lowest yield belonged to improved population (Semsoori 88) and local population of Semsoori, respectively