Seed characteristics and seed-fruit correlation of Turkish watermelon germplasm

10th EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae -- OCT 15-18, 2012 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000345687100042This study was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova. Totally, 327 genotypes were used which mostly collected from different regions of Turkey since 1993. Seed weight, seed length and seed width of 15 seeds per genotype were measured. The seed weight, length, and width ranged from 20 to 211 mg, 5.03 to 16.63 mm and 3.39 to 9.53 mm, respectively, among genotypes. Nine genotypes were selected based on seed size (3 small, 3 medium, 3 big) in order to evaluate correlation between seed and fruit characteristics. Correlation analysis was performed between measured seed parameters and fruit weight, length and diameter in the nine genotypes. Measured seed parameters were negatively correlated with fruit weight, length and diameter while seed weight was positively correlated with seed length.European Assoc Res Plant Breeding, Cukurova Univ, Minis Food, Agr & Livestock, Turkish Sci & Technol Council, Antalya Tarim, Manier Seed, Yuksel Seed, Syngenta, AG Seed, Fito Seed, Multi Seed, Nunhems, Rijk Zwaan, Bati Akdeniz Agr Res Inst, Alata Hort Res StatUnit of Cukurova University Project (TOGTAG) [3370]Researchers are grateful to Scientific and Technological Council (TUBITAK) and Scientific Research Projects, Unit of Cukurova University due to financial support to Project (TOGTAG 3370). In addition, researchers thank USDAUSA, INRA- France and AARI- Turkey for their kind assistance in seed supply and directorship of visited provinces and counties of Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock