Estimation of yield and yield-related genetic parameters in citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides)

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dc.contributor.authorTembo, Lenon
dc.contributor.authorMaphosa, Mcebisi
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-09T13:59:07Z
dc.date.available2025-10-09T13:59:07Z
dc.date.issued2025-08-11
dc.description.abstractThis study aims to improve citron watermelon, an underutilized African crop. Despite its climate resilience and economic importance, the estimation of yield-related genetic parameters remain unexplored. Ten high-yielding accessions were crossed in a bi-parental mating design to develop five hybrids that were evaluated together with their parents in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Traits such as fruit yield, length and weight displayed the greatest potential to respond to selection owing to high heritability (61.64, 73.80% and 59.00%, respectively) and genetic advance (4585.09, 77.32 and 73.27%, respectively). Fruit weight, rind thickness and yield showed significant positive heterosis (p < .05) in hybrids 7 × 8 and 1 × 2, indicating their potential for heterotic improvement. Hybrids 1 × 2 and 3 × 4 were the best cross combinations for elevated Vitamin C levels and rind thickness for both forms of heterosis. Gene number estimates revealed a range from minor to oligogenic control, with fruit weight controlled by 5.81 genes using Wright’s estimator. Total soluble solutes had the lowest number of genes in all hybrid combinations coupled with a low genetic advance of 0.44, displaying a low response to selection using this population. This study highlights several traits that have the potential to improve citron watermelon productivity.
dc.identifier.citationLenon Tembo & Mcebisi Maphosa (2025) Estimation of yield and yield- related genetic parameters in citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides), Cogent Food & Agriculture, 11:1, 2543962, DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2025.2543962
dc.identifier.issn2331-1932
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2025.2543962
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir.gsu.ac.zw:4000/handle/123456789/918
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTaylor & Francis
dc.relation.ispartofseriesCogent Food & Agriculture; 2025, Vol. 11, no. 1, 2543962
dc.subjectBi-parental mating design
dc.subjectgene numbers
dc.subjectgenetic advance
dc.subjectheritability
dc.subjectplant genetic resources
dc.subjectunder-utilized crop
dc.titleEstimation of yield and yield-related genetic parameters in citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides)
dc.typeArticle

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