Abstract:

Variety traits of watermelon were analyzed comprehensively by using 170 registered varieties in Northwest China from 2020 to 2024 as the research objects, with the aim to provide reference for further study on the influence of watermelon variety replacement on main traits and the future direction of watermelon breeding. The results showed that: (1) the oval mid-late maturing large fruit watermelon variety ‘Xinong No.8’ was the dominant control variety. (2) 8 quantitative characteristic data were skewed normal distribution. Except for the variation coefficient of the plant growth period and fruit growth period, which was less than 10%, the rest were more than 10%, and the maximum variation coefficient of single fruit weight was 37.44 %. (3) The annual variability in 4 quantitative traits of plant growth period, fruit growth period, soluble solid content at center flesh, soluble solid content near rind flesh was generally on the rise. The annual variability pattern in 4 quantitative traits of nodes to first female flowering, nodes between female flowers, fruit weight，fruit rind thickness, showed a decreasing trend. (4) Plant growth period was significantly and positively correlated with plant growth period, nodes to first female flowering, nodes between female flowers, fruit weight, and fruit rind thickness. (5) The results of principal component analysis showed that the differences among varieties were mainly concentrated in fruit growth period, plant growth period, fruit weight, and nodes to first female flowering. It reflected the ripeness and fruit size of watermelon varieties.

Key words: watermelon, registered varieties, characters, whole growth period, nodes between female flowers, fruit growth period, single fruit weight