Varieties
A number of selections, varieties and hybrids of watermelon which are commercially cultivated. These are given below.
Arka Jyoti
It is a mid-season F1 hybrid. The plants bear round fruits weighing 6-8 kg each, light green skin with regular dark green stripes, sweet flesh (11-12% TSS) with crimson-red colour. The flesh gets granular when over-ripe. It performs well under south as well as north Indian conditions.
A number of selections, varieties and hybrids of watermelon which are commercially cultivated. These are given below.
Arka Jyoti
It is a mid-season F1 hybrid. The plants bear round fruits weighing 6-8 kg each, light green skin with regular dark green stripes, sweet flesh (11-12% TSS) with crimson-red colour. The flesh gets granular when over-ripe. It performs well under south as well as north Indian conditions.
Arka Manik
Fruits are somewhat round (oval) and weigh about 6 kg each. Skin colour is light green with dull green stripes. The flesh is deep red, very sweet (11-12% TSS) and seed arrangement is such that its removal is easier. It is resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, tolerant to anthracnose and blossom-end rot. It stands transport and storage well. |
Asahi Yamato
It is a Japanese introduction with fruits weighting 6-8 kg each. Fruits have striped light green skin and deep pink, crisp, sweet (11-13% TSS) flesh with small brown seeds. The fruits ripen 90-95 days after sowing.
It is a Japanese introduction with fruits weighting 6-8 kg each. Fruits have striped light green skin and deep pink, crisp, sweet (11-13% TSS) flesh with small brown seeds. The fruits ripen 90-95 days after sowing.
Sugar Baby
It is an introduction from the USA. It is a medium vining variety with fruits weighing 4-6 kg each. Fruits are round in shape, having bluish bloom on dark green skin and black-green stripes, deep purple, crisp, very sweet (11-13% TSS) flesh and small brown seeds. The fruits ripen 85-90 days after sowing. |
Durgapura Meetha
Fruits are round with light green skin, thick rind and good keeping quality. Flesh is dark red-sweet with around 11% TSS. On an average, fruits weigh 6-8kg each and mature 125 days after sowing.
Improved Shipper
An American introduction, its fruits weigh 8-10kg. It has dark green, red flesh with moderate sweetness (8-9% TSS).
New Hampshire Midget
This is also an introduction having small fruits, weighing 1.5-2.0kg each. The fruits have light green skin with black stripes, red flesh, suited for home gardens.
Pusa Bedana
It is a seedless hybrid having aborted embryos and false, rudimentary, least perceptible seeds. The plants are slow-growing with dark green foliage, short internodes and leathery leaves. The fruits are seedless, somewhat irregularly triangular, dark green with thick rind, crisp, deep pink flesh and excellent quality. It takes about 105 days to ripen. Costly and tedious seed production and difficulty in seed germination are the reasons behind its non-commercialization.
Special No.1
Its fruits are small, round with red flesh and red seeds. It is early in maturity and TSS is slightly lower than Improved Shipper.
F1 Hybrid Watermelon Varieties
R K - 84
Fruits are round with light green skin, thick rind and good keeping quality. Flesh is dark red-sweet with around 11% TSS. On an average, fruits weigh 6-8kg each and mature 125 days after sowing.
Improved Shipper
An American introduction, its fruits weigh 8-10kg. It has dark green, red flesh with moderate sweetness (8-9% TSS).
New Hampshire Midget
This is also an introduction having small fruits, weighing 1.5-2.0kg each. The fruits have light green skin with black stripes, red flesh, suited for home gardens.
Pusa Bedana
It is a seedless hybrid having aborted embryos and false, rudimentary, least perceptible seeds. The plants are slow-growing with dark green foliage, short internodes and leathery leaves. The fruits are seedless, somewhat irregularly triangular, dark green with thick rind, crisp, deep pink flesh and excellent quality. It takes about 105 days to ripen. Costly and tedious seed production and difficulty in seed germination are the reasons behind its non-commercialization.
Special No.1
Its fruits are small, round with red flesh and red seeds. It is early in maturity and TSS is slightly lower than Improved Shipper.
F1 Hybrid Watermelon Varieties
R K - 84
Tamanna
Don 2
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Black Thunder
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