AHW 19 and AHW 65: new mateera varieties

Abstract

High temperature, low and erratic rainfall in Indian arid zone limits the choice and productivity of vegetable crops. Mateera is an indigenous type of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) extensively grown in western India particularly in Rajasthan. Its ripe fruits have sweet, juicy, refreshing and cooling pulp. Its immature, green and tender fruits (loiya), rich in protein, carbohydrates, fat, crude fibre, calcium and phosphorus, are used as a vegetable. Seeds are roasted and eaten. The seeds also yield very nutritive oil (30-40%). Kernels are extracted by decorticating the seeds on a large scale and are extensively used in sweets, bakery and ice-creams. Since it is a potential nutritive vegetable, development of AHW 19 and AHW 65 was the long-felt need of the arid region, say the authors.