Anatomical variability and population structure of Cucumis melo L. accessions collected from Iran

Melon (Cucumis melo) is one of the most important cultivated cucurbits. In this project, genetic variability among 14 accessions melon collected by authors has been studied using 23 anatomical characteristics across 2 consecutive years as well 146 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Combined analysis variance revealed significant effects on genotype and year ? effects. Among examined characters, highest CV% values two belonged to fruit store at room temperature (88.96%, 103.6%) total weight (42.2%, 40.00%), while lowest were observed in flower petal width (0.31%, 0.21%), length (0.28%, 0.49%), peduncle (0.40%, 0.19%). Classification based Ward method produced three groups. The Jaccard?s similarity coefficient (0.76) was between ?Atashi koluche? miyaneh? value (0.49) found ?Bakermellon? ?Mashhadi? with mean 0.59. study, OPA06 OPB13 primers possessed greater efficiency evaluation germplasm. Analysis population structure, which imply existence admixture germplasm, revealing subpopulations. Accession ?Sabzevari? identified mixed subgroups. From breeder?s view, introduced heterotic groups can be utilized parental selection for construction mapping structure prevent any false positive output marker-trait association studies melon.