Cucumis melo var. utilissimus Duthie & Fuller (CIRBHITA)

Chirbhata or Chirbhati is mentioned by caraka (C.S.Su.27/110 & Ci.19/25) and vagbhata (A.H.Su.6/87, 89 & Ci. 9/21). It is not described by susruta.  Vagbhata quoted the second variety of cirbhata which is a bigger variety as Gajacirbhata.  The former is Cucumis melo var. momordica Duthie & Fuller and later is Cucumis melo var. utilissimus Duthie & Fuller.  The later variety is described under Karkati.  The former variety cirbhitais therefore identified as C. melo var. utilissimus Duthie & Fuller.

Diversity among 36 snapmelon landraces, collected from 2 agro-ecological regions of India (9 agro-climatic sub-regions), was assayed using RAPD primers, morphological traits of plant habit and fruit, 2 yield-associated traits, pest and disease resistance and biochemical composition (TSS, ascorbic acid, titrable acidity). RAPD based grouping analysis revealed that Indian snapmelon was rich in genetic variation and region and sub-region approach should be followed across India for acquisition of additional melon landraces. Accessions of var. agrestis and var. momordica clustered together and there was a separate cluster of the accessions of var. reticulatus. Comparative analysis of the genetic variability among Indian snapmelons and an array of previously characterized reference accessions of melon from Spain, Israel, Korea, Japan, Maldives, Iraq, Pakistan and India using SSRs showed that Indian snapmelon germplasm contained a high degree of unique genetic variability which was needed to be preserved to broaden the genetic base of melon germplasm available with the scientific community (Dhillon N. et al., 2007).

B

otanical description – Annual Climber growing to 1.5m. It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.