Morphological and molecular characterization of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] genetic resources
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Date
2016
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The study entitled “Morphological and molecular characterization of watermelon [Citrullus
lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] genetic resources” was carried out at the Department of
Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India). The analysis of
variance for twenty three metric traits showed significant differences. The value of
phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all
the morphological characters. High heritability along with high genetic advance were
observed for yield and its contributing traits. Clustering analysis using D2 test grouped the
eighty eight watermelon accessions into ten distinct clusters. Based on cluster means, Cluster
III was best for earliness and lowest 100 seed weight, Cluster VII was best for fruit length and
yield per plant, whereas, Cluster V out scored for fruit quality parameters. Thirty three
polymorphic SSR markers assigned the germplasm into seven groups. Groups III, V and VII
exclusively consisted of Indian landraces. Modern cultivars rich in fruit quality occupied
Group IV. Indian landraces showed closeness to both cultivated and wild watermelons,
partially explaining their intermediate genetic constitution. Six accessions viz. WM-5, IC315321,
Thar Manik (all from India), EC-829827 (USA), EC-829866 (Pakistan) and EC829818
(Iran) were found to be resistant to Cucumber mosaic virus. Combining the strengths
of indigenous and exotic watermelon genotypes would be ideal to achieve twin objectives of
broadening the genetic base as well as crop improvement of watermelon.
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