Induction of tetraploids in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) through chromosome doubling

Combining Ability Analysis in Complete Diallel Cross of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai)

The experiments were carried out in two research stations (MARDI Bukit Tangga, Kedah, and MARDI Seberang Perai, Penang) in Malaysia. The crossings were performed using the four inbred lines in complete diallel cross including selfs and reciprocals. We evaluated the yield components and fruit characters such as fruit yield per plant, vine length, days to fruit maturity, fruit weight, total solub...

Comparison of ploidy level screening methods in watermelon: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai

Direct (chromosome counting) and indirect (flow cytometry, stomatal size, chloroplast number of the guard cells and morphological observations) methods were tested in order to determine the ploidy levels of haploid and diploid watermelon plants of the cultivars Sugar Baby and Halep Karasi. The results revealed that all the techniques tested can be used successfully. It was determined that while...

Lycopene and Citrulline Contents in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Lycopene and citrulline contents of 9 diploids (2X) and their artificially induced autotetraploids (4X) and autotriploids (3X) were determined in mature fruit. Changes in lycopene and citrulline during fruit development was studied using fruit of variety XYXA with three different ploidy levels from 15 to 40 days after pollination (DAP). Polyploids, especially triploids, had higher levels of lyc...

Origin and emergence of the sweet dessert watermelon, Citrullus lanatus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times. The fruit flesh of wild watermelons is watery, but typically hard-textured, pale-coloured and bland or bitter. The familiar sweet dessert watermelons, C. lanatus, featuring non-bitter, tender, well-coloured flesh, have a narrow genetic base, suggesting that they...

Recombinant Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Hydroperoxide Lyase and Uses Thereof