Watermelon is a popular fruit crop that originated in southern Africa. It was later domesticated in Egypt and India. There are three main varieties - sweet-fleshed cultivated types, citron types, and egusi types. Watermelon breeding aims to develop varieties with traits like early maturity, dark red flesh, disease resistance, and high sugar content. Popular Indian varieties include Sugar Baby, Asahi Yamato, Pusa Bedana, Arka Manik, Arka Jyoti, and Durgapura Meetha. Breeding techniques used include pedigree selection, backcrossing, and hybrid breeding. Biotechnologies like marker-assisted selection and genetic transformation are also being used.
BRINJAL CULTIVATION , PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF BRINJAL Arvind Yadav
BRINJAL CULTIVATION , PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF BRINJAL .BRINJAL
Botanical name : Solanum melongena
Family : Solanaceae
Chromosome No. : 2n = 24
Origin : India
Common name : Eggplant, Aubergine.
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Pea is an important vegetable in India; the crop is generally cultivated for its green pods. It is highly nutritive and is rich in protein. It is used as a vegetable or in soup, canned frozen or dehydrate. It is cooked as a vegetable along or with potatoes. Split grains of pea are widely used for dal. Pea straw is a nutritious fodder.
Methods of varietal identification in crops .This ppt includes a summed up details of all the types of varietal identification methods used in identifying crop
BRINJAL CULTIVATION , PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF BRINJAL Arvind Yadav
BRINJAL CULTIVATION , PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF BRINJAL .BRINJAL
Botanical name : Solanum melongena
Family : Solanaceae
Chromosome No. : 2n = 24
Origin : India
Common name : Eggplant, Aubergine.
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Economic importance and uses :-
It is an annual crop cultivated all over India.
The fruits are available practically throughout the year.
Brinjal fruits are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins particularly ‘B’ group.
Analysis of 100 g of edible fruit contains 91.5g of water, 6.4 g of Carbohydrates, 1.3g of Protein, 0.3g of fat and 0.5g of mineral matters.
Its green leaves are the main source of vitamin C (38-104.7mg/100g).
Pea is an important vegetable in India; the crop is generally cultivated for its green pods. It is highly nutritive and is rich in protein. It is used as a vegetable or in soup, canned frozen or dehydrate. It is cooked as a vegetable along or with potatoes. Split grains of pea are widely used for dal. Pea straw is a nutritious fodder.
Methods of varietal identification in crops .This ppt includes a summed up details of all the types of varietal identification methods used in identifying crop
Complete idea about seed production in brief. Classification of seed. advantage and disadvantage of seed production , marketing channel and quality seed production.
Radish is a popular vegetable in both tropical as well as temperate regions. It is cultivated under glass house conditions for early market, but large scale cultivation in the field is more I common. Being a quick growing crop it can be easily planted as a companion crop or intercrop between the rows of the other vegetables. It can also be planted on ridges, separating one plot from another. It is cultivated all over India, especially near the city markets. Radish originated probably in China. In India, it seems to have been cultivated from ancient times. It was popular among the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The botanical name of radish is Raphanus sativus. The enlarged edible roots are fusiform and differ in colour from white to red.
Okra breeding methods, objectives and important varietiesVikraman A
In this presentation I given information about okra crop for origin and distribution, breeding objectives and methods and some important varieties with description.
Row Covers & Pest Control for Vegetable Gardens; Gardening Guidebook for Ohio ~ Master Gardeners of Ohio, Ohio State University ~ For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214 ~
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Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079 ~
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Free School Gardening Art Posters =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
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Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
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Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348 ~
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City Chickens for your Organic School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440 ~
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Huerto Ecológico, Tecnologías Sostenibles, Agricultura Organica
http://scribd.com/doc/239850233
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
Contents of this presentation:
Why organic/ native seeds?
What is seed and grains?
Seed Treatment
Seed Plantation Methods
Seed collection/ production
Seed harvesting
Seed Processing
Storage Techniques
Seed Germination test
Broad bean, Lima Bean, Jack bean, Ullucus.pptxjana861314
Production technology of Broad bean, Lima Bean, Jack bean, Ullucus from chromosomal level to the harvest and post harvest techniques for the under utilized vegetable crops. Helps to know the pest and disrases of the underutilized crops .this presentation also help to know the nutritional and antinutritional factors present in the underutilized bean and tubers.
Origin, Distribution, Botanical description, Cytogenetics, Genetic resources, Climate and soil, Propagation, Manures and fertilizers, Irrigation, Interculture, Use of PGR, Plant protection, Harvesting, Yield and Storage of sweet gourd
THE IMPORTANCE OF MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE SAMPLE RETURN.Sérgio Sacani
The return of a sample of near-surface atmosphere from Mars would facilitate answers to several first-order science questions surrounding the formation and evolution of the planet. One of the important aspects of terrestrial planet formation in general is the role that primary atmospheres played in influencing the chemistry and structure of the planets and their antecedents. Studies of the martian atmosphere can be used to investigate the role of a primary atmosphere in its history. Atmosphere samples would also inform our understanding of the near-surface chemistry of the planet, and ultimately the prospects for life. High-precision isotopic analyses of constituent gases are needed to address these questions, requiring that the analyses are made on returned samples rather than in situ.
Slide 1: Title Slide
Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Slide 2: Introduction to Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Definition: Extrachromosomal inheritance refers to the transmission of genetic material that is not found within the nucleus.
Key Components: Involves genes located in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and plasmids.
Slide 3: Mitochondrial Inheritance
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for energy production.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in mitochondria.
Inheritance Pattern: Maternally inherited, meaning it is passed from mothers to all their offspring.
Diseases: Examples include Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and mitochondrial myopathy.
Slide 4: Chloroplast Inheritance
Chloroplasts: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants.
Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in chloroplasts.
Inheritance Pattern: Often maternally inherited in most plants, but can vary in some species.
Examples: Variegation in plants, where leaf color patterns are determined by chloroplast DNA.
Slide 5: Plasmid Inheritance
Plasmids: Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and some eukaryotes.
Features: Can carry antibiotic resistance genes and can be transferred between cells through processes like conjugation.
Significance: Important in biotechnology for gene cloning and genetic engineering.
Slide 6: Mechanisms of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Non-Mendelian Patterns: Do not follow Mendel’s laws of inheritance.
Cytoplasmic Segregation: During cell division, organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts are randomly distributed to daughter cells.
Heteroplasmy: Presence of more than one type of organellar genome within a cell, leading to variation in expression.
Slide 7: Examples of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Four O’clock Plant (Mirabilis jalapa): Shows variegated leaves due to different cpDNA in leaf cells.
Petite Mutants in Yeast: Result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA affecting respiration.
Slide 8: Importance of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Evolution: Provides insight into the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Medicine: Understanding mitochondrial inheritance helps in diagnosing and treating mitochondrial diseases.
Agriculture: Chloroplast inheritance can be used in plant breeding and genetic modification.
Slide 9: Recent Research and Advances
Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 are being used to edit mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.
Therapies: Development of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) for preventing mitochondrial diseases.
Slide 10: Conclusion
Summary: Extrachromosomal inheritance involves the transmission of genetic material outside the nucleus and plays a crucial role in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.
Future Directions: Continued research and technological advancements hold promise for new treatments and applications.
Slide 11: Questions and Discussion
Invite Audience: Open the floor for any questions or further discussion on the topic.
Richard's aventures in two entangled wonderlandsRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
Introduction:
RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is an important biological process for modulating eukaryotic gene expression.
It is highly conserved process of posttranscriptional gene silencing by which double stranded RNA (dsRNA) causes sequence-specific degradation of mRNA sequences.
dsRNA-induced gene silencing (RNAi) is reported in a wide range of eukaryotes ranging from worms, insects, mammals and plants.
This process mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.
What are small ncRNAs?
micro RNA (miRNA)
short interfering RNA (siRNA)
Properties of small non-coding RNA:
Involved in silencing mRNA transcripts.
Called “small” because they are usually only about 21-24 nucleotides long.
Synthesized by first cutting up longer precursor sequences (like the 61nt one that Lee discovered).
Silence an mRNA by base pairing with some sequence on the mRNA.
Discovery of siRNA?
The first small RNA:
In 1993 Rosalind Lee (Victor Ambros lab) was studying a non- coding gene in C. elegans, lin-4, that was involved in silencing of another gene, lin-14, at the appropriate time in the
development of the worm C. elegans.
Two small transcripts of lin-4 (22nt and 61nt) were found to be complementary to a sequence in the 3' UTR of lin-14.
Because lin-4 encoded no protein, she deduced that it must be these transcripts that are causing the silencing by RNA-RNA interactions.
Types of RNAi ( non coding RNA)
MiRNA
Length (23-25 nt)
Trans acting
Binds with target MRNA in mismatch
Translation inhibition
Si RNA
Length 21 nt.
Cis acting
Bind with target Mrna in perfect complementary sequence
Piwi-RNA
Length ; 25 to 36 nt.
Expressed in Germ Cells
Regulates trnasposomes activity
MECHANISM OF RNAI:
First the double-stranded RNA teams up with a protein complex named Dicer, which cuts the long RNA into short pieces.
Then another protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) discards one of the two RNA strands.
The RISC-docked, single-stranded RNA then pairs with the homologous mRNA and destroys it.
THE RISC COMPLEX:
RISC is large(>500kD) RNA multi- protein Binding complex which triggers MRNA degradation in response to MRNA
Unwinding of double stranded Si RNA by ATP independent Helicase
Active component of RISC is Ago proteins( ENDONUCLEASE) which cleave target MRNA.
DICER: endonuclease (RNase Family III)
Argonaute: Central Component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)
One strand of the dsRNA produced by Dicer is retained in the RISC complex in association with Argonaute
ARGONAUTE PROTEIN :
1.PAZ(PIWI/Argonaute/ Zwille)- Recognition of target MRNA
2.PIWI (p-element induced wimpy Testis)- breaks Phosphodiester bond of mRNA.)RNAse H activity.
MiRNA:
The Double-stranded RNAs are naturally produced in eukaryotic cells during development, and they have a key role in regulating gene expression .
Deep Behavioral Phenotyping in Systems Neuroscience for Functional Atlasing a...Ana Luísa Pinho
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides means to characterize brain activations in response to behavior. However, cognitive neuroscience has been limited to group-level effects referring to the performance of specific tasks. To obtain the functional profile of elementary cognitive mechanisms, the combination of brain responses to many tasks is required. Yet, to date, both structural atlases and parcellation-based activations do not fully account for cognitive function and still present several limitations. Further, they do not adapt overall to individual characteristics. In this talk, I will give an account of deep-behavioral phenotyping strategies, namely data-driven methods in large task-fMRI datasets, to optimize functional brain-data collection and improve inference of effects-of-interest related to mental processes. Key to this approach is the employment of fast multi-functional paradigms rich on features that can be well parametrized and, consequently, facilitate the creation of psycho-physiological constructs to be modelled with imaging data. Particular emphasis will be given to music stimuli when studying high-order cognitive mechanisms, due to their ecological nature and quality to enable complex behavior compounded by discrete entities. I will also discuss how deep-behavioral phenotyping and individualized models applied to neuroimaging data can better account for the subject-specific organization of domain-general cognitive systems in the human brain. Finally, the accumulation of functional brain signatures brings the possibility to clarify relationships among tasks and create a univocal link between brain systems and mental functions through: (1) the development of ontologies proposing an organization of cognitive processes; and (2) brain-network taxonomies describing functional specialization. To this end, tools to improve commensurability in cognitive science are necessary, such as public repositories, ontology-based platforms and automated meta-analysis tools. I will thus discuss some brain-atlasing resources currently under development, and their applicability in cognitive as well as clinical neuroscience.
Seminar of U.V. Spectroscopy by SAMIR PANDASAMIR PANDA
Spectroscopy is a branch of science dealing the study of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy refers to absorption spectroscopy or reflect spectroscopy in the UV-VIS spectral region.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is an analytical method that can measure the amount of light received by the analyte.
2. Common Name: Watermelon
Scientific Name: Citrullus lanatus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Chromosome Complement (2n = 2x = 22)
Classification (breeding standpoint)
1. Sweet-fleshed cultivated tyes (C. lanatus var. lanatus),
2. Citron-types (C. lanatus var. citroides) and
3. Egusi-types (C. lanatus subsp. mucosospermus).
Related species: melons, gourds, luffa, cucumber
3. Origin of Watermelon:
•Primary centre of diversity - Southern Africa (where wild forms
are still found).
•Secondary centre - China (related species can be found in India).
•Domestication occurred in Egypt and India.
•Common Areas of Cultivation - Middle East, the United
States of America (Florida, Georgia, California, Texas),
Africa, India, Japan and Europe
4. Watermelon
Origin and Domestication
• Indigenous to south-central Africa (dry savannah regions)
• Ancient cultivation in the Mediterranean
• Taken into China from India
• Unknown in Europe before 1600 AD
• Taken in North America by 1630 AD
5.
6. Interspecific crosses
•Interspecific crosses in Citrullus are possible to varying degrees
(Robinson and Decker-Walters, 1997), but not unambiguous. e.g.,
crosses between C. lanatus and C. colocynthis have been
successful, but fruit set was low and directionality of the crosses
influenced results (Sain et al., 2002).
•Infra-specific crossed within C. lanatus is relatively easy, however,
high levels of marker segregation distortion, low fruit set and
diminished pollen viability have been observed (Hawkins et al.,
2001; Levi et al., 2004b; Sandlin et al., 2012; Ren et al., 2012).
7. Watermelon
Market Evolution
• Important source of water for
foragers in savannah regions
• Became a staple of subsistence
farmers – nutrition, water storage
• Became an item of local trade
• Now an important cash crop used
in worldwide export activity
9. Watermelon
Use and importance
• Nutritionally lean due to high
water content
• Good source of carbohydrates,
energy, and calories
• Moderate source of vitamin A
and vitamin C
10. Watermelon flesh, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 127 kJ (30 kcal)
Carbohydrates 7.55 g
Sugars 6.2 g
Dietary fiber 0.4 g
Fat 0.15 g
Protein 0.61 g
Vitamins Quantity %DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
4% 28 μg
3% 303 μg
Thiamine (B1) 3% 0.033 mg
Riboflavin (B2) 2% 0.021 mg
Niacin (B3) 1% 0.178 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) 4% 0.221 mg
Vitamin B6 3% 0.045 mg
Choline 1% 4.1 mg
Vitamin C 10% 8.1 mg
Minerals Quantity %DV†
Calcium 1% 7 mg
Iron 2% 0.24 mg
Magnesium 3% 10 mg
Manganese 2% 0.038 mg
Phosphorus 2% 11 mg
Potassium 2% 112 mg
Sodium 0% 1 mg
Zinc 1% 0.1 mg
Other constituents Quantity
Water 91.45 g
Lycopene 4532 µg
11. Watermelon
Subsistence Production
• Mostly located in Africa
• Historical uses remain in play
• Production during dry season
• Supplemental nutrition to
augment staple crops such as
cassava, sweet potatoes, yams
• Production very labor intensive
12. Watermelon
• Watermelons are among the most popular
cultigens for forager-farmers in the Kalahari for
the following reasons: "First, they provide a
source of water; second, they are relatively
drought-resistant, especially when compared to
seed crops like sorghum and maize; and third,
dried melons are an article of food for both
humans and livestock and, after they have been
cut into strips and hung on thorn trees to dry,
they are easy to store" (Hitchcock and Ebert
1984).
13. Watermelon
Market Garden Production
• Located worldwide
• Opportunities for market
identified products
• Small producers participate in
export through wholesalers
• Production very labor intensive
• Crop not amenable to vertical
production systems
14.
15. Watermelon
Modern-Intensive Production
• Located throughout northern
hemisphere (Australia)
• Practiced in many undeveloped
countries
• Marketed through major
shippers/wholesalers
• Seasonal production dictated by
price
• Harvest labor intensive
16. Watermelon
Climate and soils
• Warm season, tender crop
• Cannot withstand frost
• Susceptible to chilling injury (<45 degrees)
• Optimum temperatures 70-100 degrees
• Produces best quality in climates with low humidity
• Grows in most soils, earlier in light soils
18. Watermelon
Flowering and Fruit Set
• First pistillate flowers rarely develop fruit
• Pistillate flowers receptive for only a few
hours
• About 1 week between pistillate flowers on
any one branch
• Adequate pollination by insects essential
• Importation of bees can be beneficial
20. Watermelon
Production - Harvest
(must be harvested ripe, not climacteric)
• Harvest indices
• Dead fruit peduncle tendril
• Yellow ground spot
• Bass or hollow thump sound
• Presence of “bee stings”
• Sampling important for final determination
21. Watermelon
Quality and Grading
Based on:
• Sweetness (measured as soluble solids,
minimum 10.5 %)
• Size
• Color
• Texture
• Freedom from injury or rot
29. Reproductive System
•Cultivated watermelon plants are monoecious, with separate male
and female flowers.
•Emasculation is not required, but selfing requires hand pollination.
•C. lanatus var. citroides plants are often androdioecious and
requires emasculation before cross-pollination.
•The ratio of male:female flowers vary but for most cultivars it is
between 4:1 and 7:1.
Male and female flowers of C. lanatus var. lanatus. Perfect flower of C. lanatus var. citroides.
30. Seedlings Trailed watermelon plants in the greenhouse
•The ideal greenhouse temperatures 70-85 ºF.
•During the winter months artificial light should be supplied (14 hours light: 10 h
darkness). Precautions should be taken to exclude pollinators (e.g. bees) from the
greenhouse. Preventative spray programs for diseases, especially powdery
mildew are essential.
•Using a shade cloth in the greenhouse will promote development of powdery
mildew, but is essential to keep greenhouse temperatures down in summer.
•Insects such as whiteflies should also be carefully controlled.
•All pollinations should be completed before 11 am.
31. •Female watermelon flowers generally stay open for only a single day and if the
flowers are not pollinated, then wait for the next female flower to open.
•Therefore plants should be inspected every day.
•When the petals of the bud turn yellow, you can expect the flower to open the
following day
Female and male flowers with petals starting to turn yellow, indicating that they will
open the next day.
33. Pollination:
•Watermelon flowers are insect pollinated, mainly by honeybees.
•The plants are self-compatible, but because flowers are unisexual a
high percentage of cross-pollination occurs.
•It is essential to place colonies of bees hive on the perimeter of
watermelon fields.
•This is done to increase seed yield and it is also claimed that by
supplying a high population of pollinating insects adjacent to, or
within the seed production plot or field, the incidence of cross-
pollination with other fields of watermelon which may be a
different seed category or cultivar is minimized.
Isolation Distance of Watermelon:
a. Breeder/foundation seed – 800 m
b. Certified seed – 400 m
34.
35. Deformed fruit due to a lack of pollen
Fruit tag with the maternal and paternal ID
and the date the cross was made
Fruit are bagged to help support the weight of the fruit
37. Poty virus
There are three poty viruses that infect watermelon,
I. Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV);
II. Papaya ringspot virus – watermelon strain (PRSV-W) and
III. Watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV-2).
Watermelon seedlings can be easily inoculated using mechanical
inoculation with infected squash or zucchini leaves ground up in 0.02
M phosphate buffer.
41. Watermelon
Genetics and breeding
The bitter principle
Caused by cucurbitacins
Inherited by a single gene
Toxic to humans at high levels
Human population – tasters and non-tasters
42.
43. Cultivar Description George (1999)
1. Ploidy
2. Season of cultivation: including suitability for intensive and/or extensive
protected cropping
3. Plant vigour
4. Foliage leaf protection against sun-scald
5. Fruit
6. External shape round, oval or long
7. Relative size and weight at market maturity
8. Rind colour, bi-colour, colour pattern, striped
9. Internal thickness of rind, flesh colour, intensity of flesh colour (especially
towards the centre of the fruit), absence of central cavity
10. Seed external colour when mature, striped or single colour, relative size
11. Resistance to specific pests, pathogens or other disorders, e.g. Fusarium
sp., Didymella bryoniae (gummy stem blight) and Colletotrichum sp.
(anthracnose or sun-scald).
44.
45.
46.
47.
48. Breeding Goals of Watermelon
1. Earliness
2. Pistillate flowers at lower node number
3. Tough skinned fruits for long distance transportation
4. Dark red flesh
5. Firm and non-fibrous flesh texture
6. Black seed
7. Proper sugar to acid ratio
8. TSS content not less than 10%
9. Fruits with smaller and fewer seeds with attractive deep red flesh
10. Firm flesh
11. Intermediate fruit shape between typical long and round ones as most elongated
cultivars have a tendency to produce so called gourd neck fruit, whereas round-
fruited cultivars tend to be susceptible to ‘hollow heart’. The intermediate fruit
shape is the advantage of F1 hybrids between long and round-fruited parental lines.
12. High yield
13. Resistance to diseases, viz., Virus
14. Fusarium wilt (race 0, 1,2) Anthracnose, gummy stem blight Powdery mildew
15. Resistance to insects (cucumber aphid, fruitfly, cucumber beetle, red pumpkin
beetle)
49. Breeding methods
1. Pedigree Method
2. Backcross Breeding
3. Hybrid Breeding
Genetic Resources of Watermelon:
•The USDA watermelon collection is stored at the Regional Plant
Introduction Station, Griffin, Georgia with the backup collection
at the National Seed Storage Laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado.
•There are 1644 accessions in the collection, with most currently
available to researchers. The collection includes representatives
of all Citrullus species and botanical varieties. In addition,
approximately 300 heirloom cultivars are kept at the National
Seed Storage Laboratory.
•In India, watermelon germplasm are conserved at IIVR, Varanasi,
NBPGR, New Delhi and a few SAUs and IIHR, Bangalore.
50. Disease Resistance of Watermelon:
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp nivenum)
Donors: Conqueror, Summit, Charleston Gray, Dixielee
Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lagenarium)
Donors: Congo, Fairfax, Charleston Gray, PI 189 225, PI 271 775, PI
271 778
51. Integration of New Biotechnologies into Breeding in
Watermelon
•Tissue Culture- For propagation of valuable plants such as tetraploid
parental inbreds, or triploid seedless hybrids.
•Marker Assisted Selection - Over 40 genes have been described in
watermelon. The genes are involved in disease resistance, flower type, fruit
shape, and fruit quality.
Markers can also be used to identify cultivars (DNA fingerprinting), and to
estimate the genetic relatedness of a set of cultivars or individuals in a
population.
•Genetic Transformation - Transformation of watermelon plants has been
used to confer virus resistance. e.g., squash mosaic virus (SQMV), cucumber
mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ring-spot virus-watermelon strain (PRSV-W),
zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and watermelon mosaic virus (WMV).
Transfer of virus coat protein genes into watermelon plants may confer
resistance to the virus disease, and provide plant breeders with new resistance
genes.
52. Varieties of Watermelon
Sugar Baby:
This is a variety originally introduced by M Hardin, Geary,
Oklahoma, USA in the year 1956. It is early and resistant to
drought. From USA, it was introduced to India by 1ARI. The
vines are medium long. Fruits are smaller (3-5 kg), round in
shape. The rind is bluish black. Flesh is sweet (11-13% TSS)
with deep pink colour. Seeds are brown and small. Yield
potential is 150 q/ha.
Asahi Yamato:
It is a mid-season Japanese introduction by IARI. Fruits are
medium weighing 6-8 kg. The fruits are round oblong, non-
striped with light green rind. Flesh is deep pink with 11-13%
TSS. Fruits ripen in about 95 days. Yield is 225 q/ha.
53. Pusa Bedana:
It is a seedless triploid variety of watermelon
developed at IARI, from a cross of Tetra-2 (4X) x
Pusa Rasaal (2X). The fruits have dark green skin
with faint stripes. Fruits are somewhat triangular in
shape with tough rind, red flesh and white
remnants of false seed.
TSS is 12-13%. Average fruit weight is 5-6 kg. The
number of fruits per vine varies from 3 to 6. It
takes 115-120 days for first fruit harvest. It could
not become popular due to irregular fruit shape
and high cost of seed. Now it is not available.
Arka Manik:
This has been bred at IIHR, Bangalore from a cross
of IIHR 21 x Crimson Sweet. Fruits are round to oval
with green rind, dark green stripes and weight is
about 6 kg. The flesh is deep crimson, with
granular texture. It is very sweet with 12-15% TSS.
It has multiple resistance to powdery mildew,
downy mildew and anthracnose. Yield potential is
500 q/ha.
54. Arka Jyoti:
It is a mid-season F1 hybrid cultivar evolved at IIHR,
Bangalore by crossing a local watermelon of Rajasthan
(IIHR 20) with Crimson Sweet. Fruit are oval and deep blue
angular stripes. Average fruit weight is 5-6 kg. Flesh is
bright crimson, sweet with 11-13% TSS. Yield potential is
600 q/ha.
Durgapura Meetha:
It is a late maturing cultivar (125 days). Fruit is round and
light-green. Rind is thick with good keeping quality. Flesh is
sweet with TSS around 11% and dark-red colour. Average
fruit weight is 6-8 kg. Seeds have black tip and margin.
Yield is 40-45 tonnes/ha. It is released by Agricultural
Research Station, Durgapura, Rajasthan.
Durgapura Kesar:
It is a late cultivar. Fruit weight is 4-5 kg. Skin is green with
stripes. Flesh is yellow in colour, and moderately sweet.
Seeds are large. It is released by Agricultural Research
Station, Durgapura, Rajasthan.
55.
56.
57. Local cultivars
•Farrukhabadi, Moradabadi of Uttar Pradesh have fruits with dark-
green colour or pale-green with black stripes, oblong to round shape
weighing 8-10 kg with thick rind.
•Mateera cultivar in Rajasthan is grown in rainy season around
Bikaner
•Katagolan is grown in Jamuna river-bed whose flesh is not sweet
but it keeps well for over 2-3 months at ambient temperature during
July-September.
58. Hybrids (by private seed companies)
•NS 295, Tambola, Madhuri (all Jubilee segment, oval, 6-10 kg
fruits, striped rind, red flesh),
•Black Magic, Black Sugar, Augusta (spherical, 6-8 kg, black rind,
Sugar Baby type) and
•Kiran and Rasraj (3-4 kg, oblong, green skin/striped skin, ice box
type).
All these hybrids are sweeet, juicy (12-13% TSS) and have high
shelf- life and transportability. With the introduction of these
hybrids, Indian consumers are enjoying delicious watermelons
round the year. This is the impact of hybrid technology for anybody
to see.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66. Breeding Strategies: Triploid (Seedless) Watermelon
Seedless watermelon fruit is produced by stimulative
parthenogenesis when sterile hybrid triploid watermelon plants are
pollinated by diploid plants.
Steps in development of triploid hybrid watermelon cultivars
(i) Production of tetraploids from diploids using colchicine or
dinitroaniline
(ii) Development of stable inbred tetraploid lines and
(iii) Develop hybrid triploid cultivars.
Limiting factor in seedless watermelon production
(i) Susceptibility of triploid cultivars to Fusarium wilt.
(ii) Resistance to Fusarium wilt races 0 and 1 is common in diploid
(seeded) cultivars.
69. Watermelon
Production of Seedless Seeds
Tetraploid Parent X Diploid Parent
(hand pollination)
Triploid Seed
(Produces seedless melon)
70. Commercial Seed Production of Triploid Watermelon:
1. Through Manual Pollination:
•In this method tetraploid and diploid lines are planted in alternate rows or in
alternating hills within each row. Female buds are capped in evening.
•Next morning, freshly opened staminate flowers are collected from diploid male
parent and are used to pollinate the pistillate flowers bagged/covered previous
evening.
•Again the pollinated flowers are covered to prevent self or sib-pollination.
•The flowers should be tagged with the date so that the fruit can be harvested after
40-50 days.
2. Pollination through Bees in Isolation Block:
•In this method, tetraploid (seed parent) and diploid (pollen parent) are planted in
alternate rows in isolation block.
•During flowering, all staminate flowers from seed parent are removed for a period
lasting several weeks.
•Pistillate flowers on female (seed parent/tetraploid line) are tagged with date to
ensure their harvesting after 40-50 days after anthesis.
71. Life is like eating a watermelon, you know you're going to
get some seeds; just spit them out and take another
bite.
Jeff Steinmann
Men and Melons are hard to know.
Benjamin Franklin
A watermelon that breaks open by itself tastes better
than one cut with a knife.
Hualing Nieh Engle