Comparison on flower, fruit and seed characteristics of tetraploid and diploid watermelons (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Matsum. and Nakai)

In this study, the characteristics of tetraploid and diploid watermelon’s flowers, fruits, and seeds were examined, and their differences were investigated. As plant material, tetraploid ST101 and ST82; diploid WL92, WL124, WL134, WL216, WL259-B and WL235 were used. Flower (pollen viability, pollen germination, number of anthers and number of pollen per anther and flower); fruit (weight, length, diameter, rind thickness and TSS) and seed (weight of 1000 seed, length, width, thickness, full seed number, seed yield, embryo/seed ratio, germination and emergence) parameters were investigated. In terms of pollen parameters, diploid watermelon has a higher value than tetraploid watermelon. According to research results, average pollen germination was found to be in diploid watermelons at 74.48% and tetraploid watermelons at 71.62%. Pollen viability was determined highest in WL 235 (95.53%). In fruit parameters, tetraploid watermelons had higher values, but fruit length decreased (diploid 19.32 cm; tetraploid 15.33 cm) significantly. Considering the average values of tetraploid watermelons, a significant decrease occurred in terms of seed germination, full seed number, seed yield and embryo/seed ratio (57.22%, 225.48 seed, 6.33 g/fruit, 57.51% respectively in diploids; 37.31%, 57.67 seed, 4.90 g/fruit, 46.42% in tetraploid), and no difference observed in other seed parameters.