Plant
No

Western melon
Characters

444
No. of samples

Primary essential character

Methods

Rank or measurement unit

1

Plant type5 plants

Observation

2:Self topping
5:Normal

2

Internode length

5 plants

Measurement

cm (round

3:BushRemarks

4:Intermediate

Average length of the 10th-15th nodes on theto the 1st decimal place)main vine at mature-green fruit stage
3

Leaf blade size length

5 plants

Measurement

cm (round

Length of the 5th-8th true leaves on the mainto the 1st decimal place)vine at mature-green fruit stage
4

Sex of flower

5 plants

Observation

1:Androecious 2:Monoecious 3:Trimonoecious
4:Andromonoecious 5:Gynomonoecious
6:Gynoecious 7:Hermaphroditic

5

Female flower bearing

5 plants

Measurement% (integer)

Number of female (or hermaphrodite) flowers

ratio

occurring on the first node of branch vine of
the 10th-15th nodes on the main vine in case of
the supporting culture and on the first node of
tertiary vine in case of the ground culture iscounted and expressed in percentage

6

Fruit shape

5 fruits

Observation

1:Ovate 2:Medium elliptic
4:Circular 5:Quadrangular
8:Elongated

Mature fruit
3:Broad elliptic
6:Oblate 7:Obovate

7

Ground color of skin

5 fruits

Observation

1:White2:Yellow

4:Gray8

Warts of fruit

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent

9:Present

9Strength of attachment

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Medium 6:Slightly strong
7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely strong

Mature fruit

Mature fruitof peduncle at maturity

3:GreenMature fruit

10

Fruit grooves

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Very weakly expressed
expressed 3:Strongly expressed

11

Crease of fruit surface 5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent

1:Extremely weak

Mature fruit

2:Weakly

2:Very weak

3:Weak Mature fruit

4:Slightly weak 5:Medium 6:Slightly strong
7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely strong

PlantNo
12Western melon
Characters

Density of cork

444
No. of samples

Primary essential character

Methods

Rank or measurement unit

Remarks

5 fruits

Observation

0:None 1:Extremely sparse 2:Very sparse
3:Sparse 4:Slightly sparse 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly dense 7:Dense 8:Very dense
9:Extremely dense

Mature fruit

Mature fruit

formation of fruit

13

Fruit weight

5 fruits

Measurementg (integer)

14

Seed length

20 seeds

Measurement

mm (roundto the 1st decimal place)PlantWestern melon

No

Characters

1

Hypocotyl length444
No. of samples
5 plants

Primary optional character

Methods
Measurement

cm (round

Rank or measurement unit

Remarks

to the 1st decimal place)

Distance from the soil surface to the base of
cotyledon at the first true leaf expanding
stage

2

Cotyledon length

5 plants

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Length of cotyledon at the full expansion timeof the first true leaf

3

Cotyledon width

5 plants

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Width of cotyledon at the full expansion timeof the first true leaf

4

Intensity of green

5 plants

Observation

color of cotyledon
5

Main vine length

5 plants

Measurement

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Observe at the full expansion time of the firstcm (round

Distance from the base to the tip of the mainto the 1st decimal place)true leaf

vine just before the pinching operation of theearliest entry
6

Main vine diameter5 plants

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Diameter of the main vine at the center between
the 10th and 11th nodes at mature-green fruit
stage

7

Density of pubescence

5 plants

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely sparse 2:Very sparse
3:Sparse 4:Slightly sparse 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly dense 7:Dense 8:Very dense
9:Extremely dense

Observe at mature-green fruit stage

5 plants

Measurement

cm (round

Width of the 5th-8th true leaves on the mainon main vine

8

Leaf width

to the 1st decimal place)vine at mature-green fruit stage
9

Intensity of green

5 plants

Observation

color of leaf blade
10

Development of lobes of 5 plants
leaf blade

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Observe the 5th-8th true leaves on the main

1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Medium 6:Slightly strong
7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely strong

Observe the 5th-8th true leaves on the mainvine at mature- green fruit stage

vine at mature- green fruit stage

PlantNo
11

Western melon
Characters

444
No. of samples

Length of terminal lobe 5 plants

Methods
Observationof leaf blade
12

Number of leaves

5 plants

Primary optional character

Measurement

Rank or measurement unit

Remarks

1:Extremely short 2:Very short 3:Short
4:Slightly short 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
long 7:Long 8:Very long 9:Extremely long

Observe the 5th-8th true leaves on the main

* (roundNumber of leaves on the main vine just before

to the 1st decimal place)vine at mature- green fruit stage

the pinching operation of the earliest entry
13

14

Leaf shape

Serration of leaf

5 plants

5 plants

Observation

Observation

1:Round 2:Slightly round
4:Slightly angle 5:Angle
0:Absent

3:Intermediatevine at mature- green fruit stage
Observe the 5th-8th true leaves on the main

9:Present

margin15

Attitude of petiole

Observe the 5th-8th true leaves on the mainvine at mature- green fruit stage
5 plants

Observation

1:Elect

3:Semi-electObserve the 5th-8th true leaves on the main

5:Horizontal

vine at mature- green fruit stage
16

Petiole length

5 plants

Measurement

cm (round

Petiole length of the 5th-8th true leaves onto the 1st decimal place)the main vine at mature-green fruit stage
17

Female flower bearing

5 plants

Observation

habit
18

Hue of green color ofIntensity of green

Female flower bearing on the primary, secondary
and tertiary vines

5 fruits

Observation

1:Whitish green
4:Grayish green

3:GreenObserve at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Observe at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely sparse 2:Very sparse
3:Sparse 4:Slightly sparse 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly dense 7:Dense 8:Very dense
9:Extremely dense

Observe at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely small

Observe at three weeks after pollination

young fruit skin19

1:Primary vine 3:Primary and secondary vines
5:Whole vine 7:Secondary and tertiary vine
9:Tertiary vine

color of young fruit

2:Yellowish green

skin
20

Density of dots ofyoung fruit

21

Size of dots of young
fruit

2:Very small

3:Small

4:Slightly small 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
large 7:Large 8:Very large 9:Extremely large

PlantNo
22

Western melon
Characters

Contrast of dot

444
No. of samples

Primary optional character

Methods

Rank or measurement unit

Remarks
Observe at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Medium 6:Slightly strong
7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely strong

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak Observe at three weeks after pollination
4:Slightly weak 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
strong 7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely
strong

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Observe at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Measure at three weeks after pollination

5 fruits

Measurement

mm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Measure diameter of central part of peduncle atcolor/ground color ofyoung fruit
23

Conspicuousness ofgroove coloring ofyoung fruit

24

Intensity of groove
coloring of young fruit

25

Peduncle length ofyoung fruit

26

Thickness of peduncleof young fruit

27

Extension of darker

three weeks after pollination
5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely small 2:Very small
3:Small 4:Slightly small 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly large 7:Large 8:Very large
9:Extremely large

5 fruits

Observation

1:Early in fruit development 2:Late in fruit
development 3:Very late in fruit development
or no changearea around peduncle ofyoung fruit
28

Change of skin color
from young fruit toObserve at three weeks after pollination

maturity
29

Fruit length

5 fruits

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Mature fruit

30

Fruit diameter

5 fruits

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Mature fruit

31

Fruit length / diameter 5 fruits

Measurement* (roundto the 2nd decimal place)

Mature fruit

Observation

1:Toward stem end
blossom end(Fruit shape index)
32

Position of maximum
diameter of fruit

5 fruits

2:At middle

3:Toward

Mature fruit

PlantNo
33

Western melon
Characters

Intensity of ground444
No. of samples

Methods

Density of dots ofRank or measurement unit

Remarks

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Mature fruit

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely sparse 2:Very sparse
3:Sparse 4:Slightly sparse 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly dense 7:Dense 8:Very dense
9:Extremely dense

Mature fruit

color of fruit skin34

Primary optional character

fruit

35

Size of dots of fruit

5 fruits

Observation

Mature fruit
1:Extremely small 2:Very small 3:Small
4:Slightly small 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
large 7:Large 8:Very large 9:Extremely large

36

Color of dots of fruit

5 fruits

Observation

1:White3:GreenMature fruit

37

Intensity of color of

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Mature fruit

5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely sparse 2:Very sparse
3:Sparse 4:Slightly sparse 5:Intermediate
6:Slightly dense 7:Dense 8:Very dense
9:Extremely dense

Mature fruit, different from dots

5 fruits

Observation

Mature fruit
1:Extremely small 2:Very small 3:Small
4:Slightly small 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
large 7:Large 8:Very large 9:Extremely large

5 fruits

Observation

1:Pointed

2:Rounded

3:Truncate

Mature fruit

Shape of blossom-end of 5 fruits

Observation

1:Pointed

2:Rounded

3:Truncate

Mature fruit

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)dots of fruit
38

Density of patches of
fruit

39

Size of patches of
fruit

40

Shape of stem-end of

2:Yellow

fruit
41

fruit
42

Size of pistil scar offruit

5 fruits

Mature fruit

PlantWestern melon

444

Primary optional character

No

Characters

43

Depth of fruit grooves

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely shallow 2:Very shallow 3:Shallow
4:Slightly shallow 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
deep 7:Deep 8:Very deep 9:Extremely deep

Mature fruit

44

Color of fruit grooves

5 fruits

Observation

1:WhiteMature fruit

45

Thickness of cork layer 5 fruits

Observation

Mature fruit
1:Extremely thin 2:Very thin 3:Thin
4:Slightly thin 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
thick 7:Thick 8:Very thick 9:Extremely thick

5 fruits

Observation

1:Dots only 2:Dots and linear 3:Linear only
4:Linear and netted 5:Netted onlyRate of change of fruit 5 fruits

Observation

0:Absent 1:Extremely slow 2:Very slow 3:Slow Mature fruit
4:Slightly slow 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
fast 7:Fast 8:Very fast 9:Extremely fast

No. of samples

Methods

of fruit

46

Pattern of cork
formation of fruit

47

skin color from

Rank or measurement unit

2:Yellow

3:GreenRemarks

Mature fruit

maturity to overmaturity
48

Peduncle length

5 fruits

Measurement

cm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Mature fruit

49

Peduncle diameter

5 fruits

Measurement

mm (roundto the 1st decimal place)

Mature fruit50

Hue of color of fruit

5 fruits

Observation

1:Yellow

2:Orangish yellow

Only varieties with change of skin color from

3:Creamish

skin at over maturity
51

Intensity of yellow

maturity to over maturity
5 fruits

Observation

color of fruit skin at

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

over maturity

Only varieties with change of skin color frommaturity to over maturity and with yellow ororangish yellow color of skin52

Seed width

20 seeds

Measurement

mm (round53

Seed shape

20 seeds

Observation

1:Not pine-nut shape54

Seed color

20 seeds

Observation

1:Whitish

to the 1st decimal place)

2:Creamish

2:Pine-nut shapePlantNo
1

Western melon
Characters

Time of female
flowering444
No. of samples
5 plants

Methods
Obs.&Measr.

Secondary essential character
Rank or measurement unit
1:Extremely early 2:Very early 3:Early
4:Slightly early 5:Medium 6:Slightly late
7:Late 8:Very late 9:Extremely late

Remarks

PlantWestern melon

444

Secondary optional character

No

Characters

1Time of male flowering

5 plants

Obs.&Measr.

1:Extremely early 2:Very early 3:Early
4:Slightly early 5:Medium 6:Slightly late
7:Late 8:Very late 9:Extremely late

2

Resistance to fusarium

10 plants

Observation

0:Absent

No. of samples

Methods

Rank or measurement unit

9:Present

wilt

Remarks

Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis
Race 0, race 1, race 2 and race 1-2. Artificial
inoculation for young seedling or naturalinfection in field.

3

Resistance to powdery

10 plants

Observation

mildew (Podosphaera

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

3:Highly Resistance to powdery mildew (Sphaerothecafuliginea (Podosphaera xanthii)). Artificial

xanthii)

inoculation for young seedling or naturalinfection in field.

4

Resistance to powdery

10 plants

Observation

mildew (Golovinomyces

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistantcichoracearum)

3:Highly Resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe
cichoracearum (Golovinomyces cichoracearum)).
Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field.

5

6

Resistance to

10 plants

Observation

0:Absent

9:Present

Resistance to colonization by Aphis gossypii.

colonization by Aphis

Artificial inoculation for young seedling or

gossypii

natural infection in field.

Resistance to zucchini

10 plants

Observation

0:Absent

9:Present

yellow mosaic virus

Resistance to Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus.
Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field.

7

Resistance to papaya

10 plants

Observation

0:Absent

9:Presentring spot virus (PRSV)

Resistance to Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV).
Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field.

8

Resistance to melon

10 plants

Observation

0:Absent

9:Present

Resistance to Melon Necrotic Spot Virus (MNSV).

necrotic spot virus

Artificial inoculation for young seedling or(MNSV)

natural infection in field.

PlantWestern melon

No

Characters

9

Resistance to cucumber

444
No. of samples
10 plants

Methods
Observation

mosaic virus (CMV)

Secondary optional character
Rank or measurement unit
1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistantRemarks
3:Highly Resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV).
Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field.

10

Resistance to gummy

10 plants

Observation

stem blight11

Resistance to downy

10 plants

Observation

mildew
12

Resistance to water-

10 plants

Observation

melon mosaic virus

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistant

3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field

(WMV)
13

Resistance to cucumber

10 plants

Observation

green mottle mosaic

3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in fieldvirus (CGMMV)
14

Resistance to

10 plants

Observation

phytophthora rot
15

Resistance to root knot 10 plants

Observationnematode
16

Resistance to spider

10 plants

Observation

mite
17

Resistance to Thrips

10 plants

Observation

palmi
18

Degree of physical leaf 5 plants
withering

Observation

3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in field
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or

1:Extremely low 2:Very low 3:Low 4:Slightly
low 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly high 7:High
8:Very high 9:Extremely highnatural infection in field
Observe after fruiting timePlantNo

Western melon
Characters*19 Resistance to Melon444
No. of samples
10 plants

yellow spot virus* Unlisted item in Genebank Descriptor

Methods
Observation

Secondary optional character
Rank or measurement unit
1:Susceptible
resistant

2:Moderately resistantRemarks
3:Highly Artificial inoculation for young seedling or
natural infection in fieldPlantNo

Western melon
Characters

444
No. of samples

Tertiary essential character

Methods

Rank or measurement unit

Remarks

1

Flesh thickness

5 fruits

Measurement

mm (round

Mature fruit

2

Flesh color

5 fruits

Observation

1:White 2:Greenish white 3:Green
white 5:Orange 6:Reddish Orange

3

Flesh texture

5 fruits

Sensory

3:Mealy

4

Fruit flavor

5 fruits

Sensory

1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
strong 7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely
strong5

Eating quality

5 fruits

Sensory

1:Conomon type 3:Makuwa type
7:Winter melon type 9:Other

6

Total soluble solids of 5 fruits

Measurement% (roundto the 1st decimal place)

5:Fragile

7:Non mealy

4:Yellowish Mature fruit

9:Melting

Evaluate at the optimum consumption time
Evaluate at the optimum consumption time

5:Net melon type Evaluate at the optimum consumption timeto the 1st decimal place)

Brix of central part of fresh at maturity time

flesh
7

Time of ripening

5 fruitsObs.&Measr.

1:Extremely early 2:Very early 3:Early
4:Slightly early 5:Medium 6:Slightly late
7:Late 8:Very late 9:Extremely lateDays from pollination to harvest

8

Shelf life of fruit

5 fruitsObs.&Measr.

1:Extremely short 3:Short
7:Long 9:Extremely longDays from harvesting to the optimum consumption

5:Intermediatetime of fruit preserved at 25 centidegree.
Extremely short: 1-2 days, short: 3-5 days,
intermediate: 6-10 days, long: 11-20 days,
extremely long: over 21 days

PlantNo

Western melon
Characters

444
No. of samples

Methods

Tertiary optional character
Rank or measurement unit

Remarks

1

Flesh firmness

5 fruits

Sensory

1:Extremely soft 2:Very soft 3:Soft
4:Slightly soft 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
firm 7:Firm 8:Very firm 9:Extremely firm

Evaluate at the optimum consumption time2

Acidity of fruit

5 fruits

Sensory

0:None 1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
strong 7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely
strongMature fruit

3

Bitterness of fruit

5 fruits

Sensory

0:None 1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
strong 7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely
strongMature fruit

4

Intensity of orange

5 fruits

Observation

1:Extremely light 2:Very light 3:Light
4:Slightly light 5:Medium 6:Slightly dark
7:Dark 8:Very dark 9:Extremely dark

Mature fruit. Only varieties with orange color

0:None 1:Extremely weak 2:Very weak 3:Weak
4:Slightly weak 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
strong 7:Strong 8:Very strong 9:Extremely
strongMature fruit. Only varieties with white color

color of flesh
5

Secondary salmon

5 fruits

Observation

coloring of flesh

6

Quantity of fibers in

Tendency of fruit tofermentof flesh.

5 fruits

Sensory

Mature fruit
0:None 1:Extremely low 2:Very low 3:Low
4:Slightly low 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly high7:High 8:Very high 9:Extremely high5 fruitsObs.&Measr.

1:Extremely easy 2:Very easy 3:Easy
4:Slightly easy 5:Intermediate 6:Slightly
difficult 7:Difficult 8:Very difficult
9:Extremely difficult

flesh
7

of flesh.

Preserve at 25 degrees C