Effect of time of planting on physical and quality attributes of snapmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. Momordica Roxb. Duthie & J. B. Fuller)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri in year 2024-25. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Experiment comprises seven time of planting as treatments viz., T¬1 ¬¬- Planting on 1st week of April, T¬2 ¬¬- Planting on 1st week of May, T¬3 - Planting on 1st week of June, T¬4 ¬- Planting on 1st week of October, T¬5 ¬- Planting on 1st week of November, T¬6 ¬- Planting on 1st week of December, T¬7 ¬- Planting on 1st week of January and which were replicated thrice. Among all treatments, T¬1 ¬¬- Planting on 1st week of April demonstrated superior performance with respect to physical parameters of fruit such as fruit length (30.29 cm), fruit diameter (20.34 cm) and fruit weight (1.66 kg). Snapmelon planted on 1st week of May was performed better in terms of quality parameters like TSS (6.23 ᵒB) and acidity (0.10%). The minimum cracking (20.00%) was observed in T¬5 - Planting on 1st week of November and highest edible portion (88.78%) and lowest Non-edible portion (11.23%) was recorded in T¬1 - Planting on 1st week of April.