COMPARATIVE MORPHO-PYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SOME SELECTED MEMBERS OF CURCUBITACEAC FAMILY

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the comparative morphophysiological characteristics of three selected members of the Cucurbitaceae family Cucumis sativus (cucumber), Citrullus lanatus (watermelon), and Cucumis melo (melon). The study aimed to examine and compare their morphological features, including stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed structures, in order to highlight both the distinguishing and unifying characteristics among the three species. The experiment was conducted using 21 buckets, with seven buckets assigned to each species. Sand and manure were thoroughly mixed to provide a nutrient-rich growth medium, and three seeds of each species were planted per bucket. Regular watering and maintenance were ensured to promote healthy seedling establishment and uniform growth. Morphological observations were recorded at different growth stages. Results revealed that all three species possessed angular stems, though they differed in surface indumentum watermelon exhibited densely pubescent stems, cucumber moderately pubescent, and melon coarsely pubescent. In terms of leaf morphology, all had simple, alternate leaves, but variation occurred in the number of lobesfive in cucumber and watermelon, and three in melon. Flowers in all species were yellow with green sepals, though bract size differed among them. Fruit morphology also varied considerably: watermelon fruits were oblong to round, cucumber fruits cylindrical and elongated, while melon fruits were spherical to oval. Seeds in all species were flat, though size differences were observed. The study concludes that while the selected cucurbit species share several fundamental structural features typical of the Cucurbitaceae family, distinct morphological differences exist that can aid in their taxonomic identification. These findings provide valuable baseline data for further research on the systematics, adaptation, and crop improvement of cucurbits, especially under local agro-ecological conditions.