7 Muskmelon Types in India | Best Muskmelon Varieties

One of the favorite fruits of people in Summer, Muskmelon, is both tasty and refreshing! Here are the famous Muskmelon Types in India!

Muskmelon is an annual climbing vine that can grow up to 3-5 feet in height. These plants produce one of the most popular summer fruits in India, especially in the northern parts of the country. These vines need a warm season to grow and make for an important crop in India. The fruits come in a number of shapes, sizes, and colors, having around 90% water content. They are used in both raw and cooked forms. Here are some best Muskmelon Types in India.

Botanical Name: Cucumis melo

Common Names: Muskmelon,melon, cantaloupe, Kharbuj, Kharbooj, Kharbooja, Kharbooza, Chibadi, Chibunda,  Madhuphala, kharmuj, Vrittakarakatali, Thumattikai, Tarbucha, Tarkaddi, Honeydew, Keerani Pazham, Teti, Thalkumbalam.

Check out our article on the best types of papaya in India here. 

Muskmelon Cultivation in India

The fruit is believed to be a native of India and Africa. India lists among the major producers of muskmelon in the world. The major muskmelon producing states in India includes Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The increasing demand for fruits in the market makes it a good choice for cultivation, and the production also fetches good market prices.

Requirements for Growing Muskmelon

Muskmelons are a warm-season fruit. This less demanding crop grows best under hot and dry weather. The following are the requirements for growing muskmelons.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for growing these plants ranges from 18-30°C. Besides, the fruits will develop good sugar content if you provide them with an ample amount of heat and sunlight.

Soil

You can grow muskmelon in almost all kinds of soil. Sandy-loam is best for their cultivation. They require a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, having a pH range of 6.0-7.0.

Irrigation

Irrigate your plants on the basis of the type of soil that you are using and the climatic conditions. The crop requires irrigation once every week. However, water only the roots and not the fruits.

Muskmelon Types in India

Although there are many varieties of muskmelon grown across the country, only some can provide desirable results. Here are some of the best Muskmelon Types in India.

1. Hara Madhu

Hara Madhu is a popular variety that can grow up to 3-5 meters. It is an introduction from the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The large fruits of this variety are round in shape and have light yellow skin with strips of green, and have thick pulp, which is very sweet in taste. An average fruit weighs around 1 kg.

2. Durgapura Madhu

It is one of the early cultivars of muskmelons. This variety produces sweet fruits with light green, medium thick flesh. These fruits are oval in shape, and each fruit weighs around 500-600 grams. They have smooth skin that is yellow-green in color.

3. Arka Rajhans

A variety from the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, is a selection from a local collection. The variety was first identified in 1975. The fruits are round to oval in shape, with each fruit weighing around 1.0-2.0 kg.  In addition to that, the variety shows tolerance towards powdery mildew.

4. Arka Jeet

Another introduction from IIHR, Bangalore in the year 1975,  is a selection from the Bati strain in Uttar Pradesh in the Lucknow area. The fruits of this variety are small in size and weigh around 300-550 grams. They have a flat shape but an amazing taste with white flesh.

5. Punjab Hybrid

It is an F1 hybrid cultivar of muskmelons from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The variety is a cross between Hara Madhu and MS-1x. The fruits are round and medium in size, weighing around 700-800 grams. With a good shelf life, this variety is an early maturing variety.

6. Pusa Sharbati

First introduced in the year 1975, this variety by IARI is a cross between PMR 6 and katuna. It is an early maturing cultivar that can produce the first yield in about 80-85 days of the sowing date. The taste of the fruit is not very sweet. The variety is good for growing in riverbed conditions.

7. Pusa Rasraj

Another F1 hybrid by IARI is a cross between monoecious M-3 and Durgapura Madhu. This variety is good for commercial cultivation in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.  The fruits have smooth skin, and an average fruit weighs around 800-1000 grams. They are moderately sweet and round in shape.