INTRODUCTION Cantaloupe or muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. cantaloupensis, Cucurbitaceae) production is an important industry for North Carolina. In 2000, North Carolina produced 729 ha (1,800 acres) of cantaloupes valued at $20 million. Besides cantaloupe, there is a tremendous diversity of melons in the Cucumis melo species, each having unique flavors, texture, and appearance. Because of low pro...