Page 1 of 9
European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 6
Publication Date: December 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.116.15870
Quamruzzaman, A. K. M., Akter, L., Salim, M. M. R., & Islam, F. (2023). Heterosis of Yield and Quality Traits of Watermelon [Citrullus
lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.)] Hybrids and their Performance in the Sub-Tropical Region. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol - 11(6). 89-97.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Heterosis of Yield and Quality Traits of Watermelon [Citrullus
lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.)] Hybrids and their Performance
in the Sub-Tropical Region
AKM Quamruzzaman
Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Center,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
Limu Akter
Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Center,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
MMR Salim
Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Center,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
Ferdouse Islam
Training and communication,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted in watermelon to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for
yield and its nine yield-related components. Sixteen hybrids generated from eight
diverged parents were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three
replications at the Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Center (HRC),
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Appreciable heterosis was found over better parents for all the traits studied in a
desirable direction. The range of positive better parent heterosis for a number of
fruits/plant and individual fruit weight was 4.50 to 30.56 percent and 7.17 to 21.05
percent, respectively, while for fruit length and fruit diameter, it was 0.63 to 11.47
percent and 2.74 to 14.40 percent, respectively. Nine hybrids showed significant
positive heterotic response for TSS, while twelve hybrids for fruit yield showed
positive better parent heterosis and the range was 9.38 to 51.17 %. The higher
significant positive better parent heterosis was observed in hybrids F1 104
(51.17%), F1 105 (44.30%), F1 801 (29.45%), F1 102 (23.38%), F1 401 (19.74%), F1
103 (19.14%). Considering yield contributing characters, the hybrids viz., F1 102, F1
104, F1 105, F1 801 were found promising and may be recommended for hybrid
watermelon variety for the farmers of sub-tropical countries.
Keyword: Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.), heterosis, hybrids,
sub-tropical.
Page 2 of 9
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 90
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 6, December-2023
INTRODUCTION
Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.) is an important domestic and global fruit
crop, accounting for 7% of the worldwide area devoted to fruit and vegetable production (Guo
et al., 2012). The highest producing countries are viz., China (79,043,138 t), Turkey (3,928,892
t) and Iran (3,813,850 t) (FAO 2018). Annual production in Bangladesh was 29.33 thousand
acres with a total production of 25.37 thousand metric tons (Annon, 2019). The largest
production areas were in Barishal (12487 acres), Bhola (9198 acres), Chittagong (8282 acres),
Khulna (6240 acres), Rangpur (1964 acres) and Barguna (1104 acres) (Annon, 2019). The fruit
of watermelon contains 6% sugar, and 92% water by weight, and is a good source of vitamins
A, B, and C. It also contains lycopene. Sugar content and sweetness are critical factors in
determining the quality of many watermelon cultivars (Harlair, 1999). The value of fresh
market watermelons has increased in value over the last few years. As all varieties cultivated
in Bangladesh are hybrids, and seeds are imported every year from abroad, So, the choice is
completely dependent on the importer. Farmers often face a problem in selecting a suitable
variety. Furthermore, current watermelon varieties are diverse in terms of shape, size, color,
texture, and nutrient composition due to years of cultivation and selection targeting yield and
desirable fruit qualities (Guo et al., 2012).
Watermelon is highly cross-pollinated and has a wide genetic diversity. In spite of a wide
genetic base and an old history, very little research has been done so far for the exploitation of
heterosis in Bangladesh. The exploitation of heterosis in different commercial crop hybrids has
made a massive contribution to 20th-century agriculture, though the genetic basis of the
phenomenon remains unclear. Plant breeders describe heterosis as the manifestation of
greater vigor in height, leaf area, growth, dry matter accumulation, and yield in an F1 hybrid in
comparison with the parents (Allard, 1960; Hageman, 1967). F1 hybrid watermelon is one of
the most popular fruit crops in the subcontinent. It is well known that watermelon is a
monoecious fruit crop; there is ample scope for the exploitation of hybrid vigor. Therefore,
selection based on the magnitude of heterosis of more than one yield component will be highly
realistic. As reported by Hageman and McDaniel (1973), heterosis is desirable for individual
component characters, even to a small magnitude. It is well known that watermelon, being a
monoecious vegetable, offers ample scope for exploitation of hybrid vigor. Two recent studies
were run in Brazil on seven intercrossing populations with evaluation of reciprocal crosses
(Ferreira et al., 2002) and tetraploid females crossed with diploid males for the production of
triploid seeds (Souza et al., 2002). Heterosis is a term used to describe the superiority or the
decreased value of a trait in hybrids (F.), in relation to their homozygous parents. In
watermelon, the commercial exploitation of heterosis was reported by Sapovadiya et al. (2013)
and Damaceno et al. (2016).
Therefore, selection based on the magnitude of heterosis of more than one yield component
will be highly realistic. As reported by Hatcheock and McDaniel (1973), even to a small
magnitude for individual component characters, is a desirable factor, as reported by Hatcheock
and McDaniel (1973). There is a bright scope for the exploitation of heterosis in cucurbitaceous
crops. Attempts like proper systematic breeding methods in this regard have not been made in
the past. Although watermelon is grown sporadically in the warm season, unfortunately, there
is no hybrid variety developed for local cultivation in Bangladesh. Very recently, BARI has
released 2 OP varieties, which are not compared to imported good hybrid varieties of
Page 3 of 9
91
Quamruzzaman, A. K. M., Akter, L., Salim, M. M. R., & Islam, F. (2023). Heterosis of Yield and Quality Traits of Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var.
lanatus (Thunb.)] Hybrids and their Performance in the Sub-Tropical Region. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(6). 89-97.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.116.15870
watermelon. Thus, there is a farmers' need to develop a hybrid watermelon variety with good
shape, size, and color that will grow year-round in Bangladesh. Thus, there is a scope to utilize
the existing watermelon line for the development of a hybrid watermelon variety for year- round cultivation in Bangladesh. BARI has developed several inbreds of watermelon which are
capable of developing some good quality varieties as well as growing year-round. This study
aimed to estimate relative heterosis for traits of agronomic interest in watermelon genotypes,
in order to develop new future cultivars. and later transplanted to the field. The hybrids were
obtained by artificial crosses between parents (Dias et al. 2001). Therefore, the present study
has been undertaken to assess the watermelon hybrids to develop a new watermelon hybrid
variety.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental Site
The experiment was conducted at the Olericulture Division of Horticulture Research Centre,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh. The experimental field was at the sub- tropical region of 23.9920o N Latitude and 90.4125o E Longitudes having an elevation of 8.2
m from sea level.
Treatments and Plant Materials
Sixteen watermelon hybrids viz., F1 102, F1 103, F1 104, F1 105, F1 401, F1 402, F1 403, F1 503,
F1 504, 801, 802, 803, 804, F1 807, F1 8021, F1 2108 were incorporated in this study. The seeds
of these hybrids were sown on the polypot on 05 Dec 2021. Twenty-day days old seedlings were
transplanted in the main field on 25 Dec 2021.
Land Preparation and Fertilization
The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design with three replications.
The unit plot size was 10.0 x 2.0m maintaining 2.0 x 2.5m spacing and a 0.5m drain. The land
was fertilized with organic manure, N, P, K, S, B, and Zn @ 10000, 80, 45, 88, 25, 1.8, and 4.5
kg/ha, respectively. Half of the organic manure and all of S, Zn, and B each of P and K @ 30
kg/ha, were applied during final land preparation. The remaining organic manure and P and K
@ 15 kg/ha were applied as a base in the pit. of N and K were applied after 20 days of
transplanting in 3 equal installments at a 20-day interval starting. The intercultural operations
(weeding, irrigation, etc.) were done as and when necessary.
Air Temperatures and Relative Humidity of the Experimental Area
Under protected conditions, temperatures can be monitored and managed, and better plant
growth can be expected. The protected nethouse condition influenced the air temperature and
RH. Data for the temperatures and RH were measured at 12 pm daily during the experimental
period. The average minimum and maximum temperatures varied between 25.80C to 36.80C,
while relative humidity varied between 62.1% to 81.5 % of day time (Fig 1).