Our research lab for melon crops is mainly engaged in the germplasm development, new-varieties breeding and matching technological researches concerning watermelon, muskmelon, luffa and melon rootstock. In terms of the genetic breeding of watermelon, muskmelon and luffa, it is one of the earliest domestic institutes to carry out relevant researches. In particular, its researches in watermelon disease-resisting breeding, "Eastward Migration" of thick-skinned muskmelon, heterosis utilization of luffa have a high academic status in China. The studies in disease-resisting mechanism of rootstocks have exerted some domestic influence. A series of melon varieties, such as "Su Mi", "Su Tian", "Jiang Shu", have been widely applied in production and enjoys a high market reputation.

Now, our research lab for melon crops undertakes the rootstock breeding post for muskmelon industry technology system of national modern agriculture, the functions as the Integration and Innovation Center for muskmelon industry technology system of Jiangsu modern agriculture, the sub-projects of national key R&D plan, as well as the general projects for the Youth Science Fund of National Natural Science Foundation and Jiangsu Natural Science Foundation. In recent years, emphasis has been put on the selective breeding of special varieties for high quality facilities. The high-quality early-maturing watermelon varieties including “Sumi No. 8” and “Sumi Seedless No. 2”, the high-quality muskmelon varieties including “Sutian No. 2” and “Sutian No. 4”, as well as the luffa varieties including “Susi No. 3”, have been successfully bred. “The High-quality, Green and Simplified Cultivation Technology for Facility Muskmelons” has been listed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a major promoted agricultural technology in 2017 and 2018. Since the 11th five-year plan, our research lab for melon crops has won one first-prize of Jiangsu Agricultural Science & Technology Promotion Award, three third-prizes of Jiangsu Provincial Science & Technology Award, two third -prizes of Nanjing Science & Technology Progress Award, and one second-prize of Jiangsu Provincial Harvest Award.