Genetic analysis of some vegetative, yield and fruit quality traits in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) [electronic resource].
التحليل الوراثى لبعض الصفات الخضرية والمحصول وجودة الثمار فى البطيخ (سترلس لاناتس).
- p.81-86.
Includes reference.
A complete diallel crosses mating design involved four watermelon genotypes namely; Giza2l, Crimson Sweet, Suger Baby and Dixie Queen were used to study the nature of gene action as well as general and specific combining ability for ten traits. Result revealed that most of traits influenced by both additive and non additive gene action. All traits showed over dominance, except number of fruits per plant, fruit length and T.S.S. Most traits were controlled by one group of genes. Narrow sense heritability estimates were either low or moderate to high according to the studied trait. Giza 21 was the best general combiner for the traits main stem length, total yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit, whereas Crimson Sweet showed the highest G.C.A. for number of branches and leaves per plant and fruit weight. Suger Baby was the best general combiner for number of fruits per plant and total soluble solids. The maximum G.C.A. for fruit length and rind thickness was shown by Dixie Queen. For number of branches and leaves per plant, total yield per plant and number of seeds per fruit, the cross combination Giza 21 X Crimson Sweet recorded the highest S.C.A. effects, while Suger Baby x Dixie Queen had the highest S.C.A.effect for main stem length, fruit weigh, rind thickness and fruit length. Crimson Sweet x Dixie Queen was the best specific cross combination for T.S.S. The greatest S.C.A. effect was recorded in the cross combination Crimson Sweet x Suger Baby for number of fruits per plant.