Abstract:
African horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) is an indigenous crop belonging to the
family Cucurbitaceae. The crop has been neglected despite its high potential. Therefore,
to conserve the biodiversity of this crop, there is need to promote its domestication and
production. However, this can only be realized if its morphology, agronomic and
nutritional value is understood. The objective of this study was to determine the agromorphological
performance and nutritional composition of horned melon accessions
obtained from selected agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The study was conducted at the
University of Embu research farm for two cropping seasons; October to January 2018
and March to June 2019. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block
design with nineteen accessions replicated three times. The accessions were planted in
experimental plots measuring 3m x 3m at a spacing of 1m by 1m. Morphological and
agronomic characterization was based on modified International Plant Genetic Resource
Institute (IPGRI) descriptors for melon. Data was recorded from four plants per plot per
replicate. The fruit content of Fe and P were determined using atomic absorption
spectrophotometry while Na and K were determined using flame photometry procedure.
Vitamin C content was estimated by titrimetric method. Sugar content was determined
using a brix refractometer. The qualitative and quantitative data obtained from
morphological and agronomic characters were organized in a matrix and subjected to
cluster analysis. A dendrogram was then constructed using unweighted pair-group
method with arithmetic average. Agronomic and nutritional data was also subjected to
analysis of variance using XLSTAT 2019 statistical software and means separated using
Students Newmans Keuls test at 95% level of confidence. Significant differences
(p<0.05) were observed in all the quantitative traits except the number of branches and
main vine length. However, qualitative variations were only observed in fruit shape, rind
colour and seed shape. In both seasons, the dendrogram separated into 5 supported
clusters with the diversity between classes being 63.82% in the first season and 68.84%
in the second season and diversity within classes being 36.18% in the first season and
31.16% in the second season. Accessions from Rongo, Wote, Siakago, Maragua, Oyugis
and Meru had the highest fruit number and fruit weight for both season hence they can be
more preferred by farmers and consumers. The accessions also varied significantly
