Abstract. Masungsong LA, Belarmino MM, Buot IEJr. 2019. Delineation of the selected Cucumis L. species and accessions using leaf architecture characters. Biodiversitas 20: 629-635. Regardless of the several attempts of the early and recent studies to separate the wild species of Cucumis from the cultivated ones, there is still taxonomic confusion brought about by the similarities in morphology of the genus. In a gene bank with so many species and accessions of Cucumis stored, it is appropriate to delineate these numerous accessions to save time and resources as well. This study aims to delineate fifty selected Cucumis accessions based on leaf architecture. Using Unweighted Pair Group Method using Averages (UPGMA) and Euclidean distance coefficient, a cluster analysis for the fifty Cucumis accessions was done. A dendogram with cophenetic coefficient of 0.9606 supported the clustering of the Cucumis species and accessions. At Eucledian distance of 1.5 two major clusters were formed on the basis of secondary vein spacing. Cucumis melo accessions separated from all the remaining accessions of C. myriocarpus, C. metuliferus, C. anguria and C. anguria var longaculeatus for having an increasing towards the base secondary vein spacing while the rest have irregular pattern of secondary vein spacing. Further sub-clustering of the remaining accessions comprising four species were delineated on the basis of tertiary vein (C. myriocarpus), tertiary vein angle to primary (C. metuliferus), and blade class (C. anguria and C. anguria var longaculeatus). Laminar shape delineated C. myriocarpus accessions from each other, apex angle for C. metuliferus accessions, and primary vein size for C. melo accessions. Results implied that leaf architecture is a good tool to classify the numerous accessions of Cucumis.

Abstract. Masungsong LA, Alcala AA, Buot IE Jr., Belarmino MM. 2022. Classifying fifty-seven Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae) accessions into six species using leaf architectural traits. Biodiversitas 23: 4006-4017. In gene banks, there are myriads of accessions that need to be studied, grouped, classified and organized to the proper taxon and hence, be able to manage the accessions efficiently. Using leaf architecture traits, it is the objective of this study to determine the identity and classify the 57 Cucumis accessions in the genebank of Hortanova Farm and Research Center, East-West Seed Company, Inc., Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines.  Five hundred thirteen Cucumis leaf samples across the 57 accessions were collected, measured, thoroughly investigated, and described using leaf architectural characters. Results of leaf architectural analyses focusing on the blade class, apex angle, secondary vein spacing, tertiary vein angle in relation to primary vein, and areole development, revealed that the 57 accessions can be grouped into six (6) species of Cucumis, namely, C. melo subsp. agrestis (Naudin) Pangalo, C. melo var. texanus Naudin, C. melo var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin, C. zambianus Widrl, J.H.Kirkbr., Ghebret. & K.R.Reitsma, C. sativus L., and C. sativus var. hardwickii (Royle) Gabaev. Cucumis sativus and C. sativus var hardwickii were delineated from the rest of the species for having a macrophyll blade class, an odd lobed acute apex angle and an obtuse tertiary vein angle in relation to the primary vein. This delineation is illustrated in the constructed dichotomous botanical key. Utilizing leaf architecture characters is an effective technique to characterize, identify and classify closely related taxa possessing confusing characters.