Variation in morphological and chemical traits in red and yellow mini watermelon

Abstract

Watermelon is an annual vegetable crop from Cucurbitaceae family. Five mini watermelon cultivars (red-fleshed ′Faerie′ F1, ′Golden crown′ F1, ′Bonanza′ F1 and yellowfleshed ′Sureness′ F1, ′Yellow baby′ F1) were grown in open field experiment from May to July 2018. Plants were grown on a fertile soil, covered with black mulch film, on a distance 75x120 cm. During vegetation period regular agricultural practices were applied (fertirrigation, weeding and preventive protection against diseases and pests). Fruits were harvested after 60 days from planting. The aim of this study was to examine morphological traits of five cultivars in full physiological maturity. Fruit weight ranged between 1.57-2.65 kg with the highest value in cultivar ′Sureness′. Number of fruits ranged from 20 (′Yellow baby′, ′Sureness′) to 35 (′Faerie′). Rind thickness ranged between 5.22-11.91 mm with the highest value in ′Yellow baby′. Total soluble solids ranged from 9.5-10.95 °Brix and randman between 37-49%. Among all cultivars, red-fleshed ′Bonanza′ showed the highest randman and total soluble solids (49% and 10.95 °Brix, respectively). Opposite to that, the lowest total soluble solids showed yellow-fleshed cultivars ′Sureness′ and ′Yellow baby′. Generally, yellow cultivars showed higher fruit weight and rind thickness, whereas red cultivars showed higher number of fruits per plant, total soluble solids and randman. The present study outlines that ′Bonanza′ and ′Faerie′ showed the highest quality (soluble solids content) among tested varieties.