A less-known vegetable melon landrace “Arya” (Cucumis melo L.) from Rajasthan and Haryana, India: morphological, biochemical and taxonomic study

A less-known landrace of vegetable melon locally called “Arya” ( Cucumis melo L.) known for drought tolerant trait was collected from two districts of Rajasthan and Haryana, India. Study was undertaken for preliminary morphological evaluation, biochemical and organoleptic test. A comparative study with snake melon was presented with field identification traits along with cultural practices and economic uses. The work aims at facilitating germplasm collection, detailed evaluation and systematic study on this valuable material with the prospects of crop diversification and value addition.