Genetic diversity in seed purpose watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) genotypes under rainfed situations of Thar Desert

Abstract

An attempt was made to evaluate the available germplasm of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai] for seed yield and related traits during kharif 2010 and 2011. Significant differences among the 57 genotypes for eight characters were observed coupled with higher estimates of heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean for seed yield/plant. Seed yield/plant showed direct positive effect as well as significant positive correlation with number of fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant and test weight. All the 57 genotypes were grouped into eight clusters. The maximum intracluster distance was observed for cluster VII (10.567) and minimum for cluster IV (0.567) while inter-cluster distance was maximum for cluster III and IV (46.619) followed by cluster I and VII (42.203) and minimum for cluster V and VIII (10.200). On the basis of cluster distance and per se performance 10 promising genotypes of watermelon have been identified for seed yield and other component traits for using as parents in breeding programme.