Melon

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes several other vegetables of economic importance such as cucumber, watermelon, squash, pumpkin and gourds. The world production was estimated in 2005 at 28 millions tons (FAOSTAT Data, 2005), the main producing countries being China (15.1 millions tons) followed by Turkey, Iran, Spain and USA (between 1.7 and 1 millions tons). The world production increases regularly from 8.8 to 13.5 to 19.8 millions tons in 1980, 1990 and 2000 respectively.