Melon

A World of Color and Taste

Melons come in many shapes, colors and sizes. They're rich in vitamins and minerals and serve as a tasty sweet treat that people love to enjoy.

Melons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family – just like cucumbers and pumpkins. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians also grew melons? History indicates that melons traveled from Africa and Asia to Europe during the Bronze Age.

BASF's Vegetable Seeds Business, featuring the Nunhems portfolio, has been breeding melons for more than 30 years and is a leader in the melon seeds business. We have 150 varieties active globally, covering Cantaloup Sutured, Cantaloup Non-Sutured, Italian Cantaloup, Charentais, Galia, Ananas, Piel de Sapo & Honey Dew melons.

Melon breeding programs are currently active in Spain, France, and the United States of America. Our varieties are bred to fit the needs of different parts of the world and their unique regional requirements. Attractive color, flesh texture, and consistent taste are important contributions to our breeding process. Smaller-sized melons are becoming increasingly more interesting to consumers as they consider convenient and sustainable eating options.

Our Melon Breeding team is closely connected to the entire value chain which enables us to launch innovative concepts that support the industry, increase grower profitability, and develop melons that people love.

Variety	Maturity	Shape	Exterior Appareance	Count	Flesh Color	Disease Tolerance
Sun Delicious F1	Mid-late	Round	Yellow skin, sutured, netted	9, 12	Deep orange	HR Fom 0,1,2
Western Charm F1	Late	Round-Short oval	Non sutured, netted	9, 12	Orange	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2
7609 F1	Mid-late	Oval	Non sutured, netted	9, 12	Deep orange	HR Fom 0,1,2 ; IR Px 1,2
Durawest F1	Mid-late	Round-Oval	Non sutured, netted	6, 9, 12	Orange	HR Fom 0,1,2 ; IR Px 1,2
Turan F1	Early-main	Oval	Non sutured, netted	9, jumbo 9, 12	Orange	HR Fom: 0,1; IR Ag; Px 1,2
Mokaya F1	Early-main	Round	Non sutured, netted	9, jumbo 9, 12	Dark Orange	HR Fom: 0,1; IR Ag; Px 1,2
Sushine628 F1	Main-late	Round, Oval	Non sutured	9, 12	Orange	HR Ag; Fom: 0,1; IR Fom: 2; Px 0,1,5
Sense108 F1	Late	Round, Oval	Golden, non sutured, netted	9, 12	Magenta	HR Fom 0,1,2 ; IR Px 1,2, 5
Sense181 F1	Late	Round, Oval	Golden, non sutured, netted	9, 12	Magenta	HR Fom 0,1; IR Px 1,2
Nun26191 F1	Main-late	Round	Golden, non sutured, netted	9, 12	Magenta	HR Fom 0,1; IR Px 1,2
Sunpeek F1	Main	Round, Oval	Yellow skin, sutured, netted	9, 12	Magenta	HR Fom 0,1,2 ; IR Px 1,2, 5
Tanager F1	Early-main	Round, Oval	Non sutured	9, 12	Orange (dark)	HR Ag; Fom: 0,1; IR Px 1,2
Western Jewell F1	Main-late	Round, Oval	Non sutured, netted	6, 9, 12	Orange	HR Fom 0,1,2 ; HR Px 1,2 ; IR Px 5

Variety	Maturity	Shape	Exterior Appearance	Count	Flesh Color	Disease Tolerance
252 HQ F1	MidRound, Oval	Round, Oval	Smooth, White	5, 6	Light Green	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1
Salgari F1	Early	Round, Oval	Smooth, White	4, 5, 6	Green	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2
Silverwest F1	Early-main	Round, Oval	Smooth, White	5, 6	Green	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2, 5 Ag
Silverbullet F1	Early	Oval, Round	Smooth, White	4, 5, 6	Light Green	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2, Ag
Silverock F1	Mid	Short Oval	Smooth, White	5, 6	Light Green	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2, Ag
Silverbeauty F1	Early-main	Round	Smooth, White	5, 6	Light Green	IR Fom 0,1,2 ; IR Px 1,2,5

Variety	Maturity	Shape	Exterior Appearance	Count	Flesh Color	Disease Tolerance
Crispy Pear F1	Mid	Oval	Smooth, Yellow		White	HR Fom 0,1 ; IR Px 1,2
Snow560 F1	Early	Round	Smooth, Yellow	5, 6	White	HR Fom 0,2 ; IR Px 1,2, 5
Mayan510 F1	Main-late	Oval	Dino, Smooth	4, 5, 6	White	HR Fom 0,1, 2 ; IR Px 1,2, 5