The effect of Begomovirus infection on phenotypic characters of Cucumis melo L. ‘Melona’

Melon plants is one of horticulture commodities which is potential to be developed as superior export product. Melon ‘Melona’ was developed by the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada. ‘Melona’ has ovoid-heart fruit shape, unique lobes, yellowish fruit skin color and orange fruit flesh. One of the constraints of farmers in melon production was pest attack and/or diseases infections which had impact on decreasing fruit yield, quality and quantity. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of natural Begomovirus infection on fruit development and to analyze 'Melona' response against Begomovirus infections. The data taken for comparison were plant height at the age of 58-63 days and fruit weight. Then, both values were analyzed with one-way ANOVA using SPSS. The results showed that the appeared symptoms in 'Melona' was identical with Begomovirus symptoms infection symptoms reported previously. Infected plants showed stunted growth, yellowish spots on the leaves, and curling leaves. The average plant height of infected plants was 119.25 cm, while for uninfected plants was 236.63 cm. The same trend was also occurred in fruit weight. The fruit weight of infected plants and uninfected plants were 214.25 g and 625.63 g, respectively. Plant weight and fruit weight were significantly decrease in infected plants compared to uninfected ones (P