Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In cucurbit breeding, developing varieties with long shelf life, high transportability, and superior sweetness is a major objective.
Most traditional muskmelons are highly perishable and prone to post-harvest softening.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
'Pusa Sharda' is a highly popular, outstanding hybrid variety of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
- It is a selection characterized by flat-round, attractive green-to-yellowish fruits with a firm, sweet orange flesh.
- A key horticultural feature of 'Pusa Sharda' is its exceptional shelf life.
- Due to its firm rind and low physiological weight loss, the fruits can be stored safely for 15-20 days at room temperature under ambient conditions.
- This long shelf life is highly beneficial for long-distance transportation and reducing post-harvest losses.
Let us review the other options:
- Tomato, Cucumber, and Bitter Gourd: These crops do not have a variety named 'Pusa Sharda' with these specific room-temperature storage characteristics.
Therefore, 'Pusa Sharda' is a variety of muskmelon.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The variety 'Pusa Sharda' belongs to Muskmelon.