Comparative varieties characteristics of watermelon accessions of ukrainian and foreign breeding

Abstract

Aim. Evaluation of the common watermelon gene pool in terms of yield, marketable fruit weight and dry soluble matter content and isolation of the most valuable accessions for use in breeding programs. Results and Discussion. The article presents the results of studies on the assessment of 153 samples of common watermelon of Ukrainian and foreign selection in terms of yield, weight of marketable fruit and the content of dry soluble substances. One accession with very high level of fruit yield (> 113% to the standard) was selected – accession Lad (62,3 t/ha) from Ukraine. With high level of yield (> 101% to the standard), samples from Russia were selected: Solntsedar (55,7t/ha), Podarok Solntsa (58t/ha) and Samurai (58,3t/ha). With yield closed to the standard (97,7%) there was a sample from Russia – Shapka Imperatora (53,5t/ha). The mass of marketable fruit, 5 samples were the best: Solntsedar (2,5 kg), Lad (2,6 kg), Yatum (2,86 kg), Samurai (3,04 kg), Podarok Solntsa (3,99 kg). According to the content of dry soluble matter, samples from Ukraine were selected as a source for breeding: Alyi solodkyi (14%) and accession from Czech Republic Sugar baby (15%). According to the complex of features (consistently high yield, high taste), the following samples are of practical value for breeding: Lad, Yatum, Alyi solodkyi (Ukraine); Solntsedar, Podarok Solntsa, Samurai (Russia), Sugar baby (Czech Republic). Conclusions. Based on the results of the study of 153 collection accessions of common watermelon during 2018–2020. Accessions were selected: 4 by yield (55,7-62,3t/ha), 5 by fruit weight (2,51-3,99 kg), 2 by content of dry soluble matter (14-15 mg%), 7 by complex of valuable features.