Abstract: The aim of this study was to clarify the genetic and correlation analysis of watermelon main fruit characters,such as fruit shape and flesh colour.The genetic population was developed with B132-8 as maternal plant crossed with B133-4 as paternal plant,we selected 92 F₂.With standard collection,data of fruit shape,fruit ratio,over color pattern of fruit surface,flesh colour,flesh lycopene content,ground colour of seed surface and 1000-seed-weight were collected and statistically analyzed with SPSS 17.0.The results showed that the hereditary feature of qualitative character was manifested by fruit shape,flesh colour and ground color of seed surface.However,the segregation ratio of F₂ wasn't in accordance with Mendelian genetic segregation law,it was only 1 : 3 : 1.There existed qualitative character inheritance in over color pattern of fruit surface and 1 000-seed-weight and dominant inheritance in rack and small seeds.Hereditary feature of quantitative character was manifested by fruit ratio and flesh lycopene content with normal distribution in F₂.The result of correlation showed that fruit shape had highly significant positive correlation with fruit ratio.Flesh color had significant correlation with fruit shape and fruit ratio.

Key words: Watermelon, Fruit characters, Genetic, Correlation

CLC Number: 

• S651.03