Caracterização agronômica e físico-química de híbridos de melancia (Citrullus lanatus)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic and physicochemical characteristics of 19 watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) hybrids, including two commercial hybrids used as checks—Top Gun from Syngenta (36A) and Granada from Feltrin (95A)—with the objective of identifying materials with greater cultivation potential and better pulp quality, providing important information to support breeding programs. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Sciences Center of UFSCar – Araras Campus. The parameters evaluated were: instrumental color (L*, C*, and h°) and pulp firmness, longitudinal (LD) and equatorial (ED) diameters (cm), shape index (LD/ED), fruit weight (kg), rind thickness (cm), soluble solids content (°Brix), average number of fruits per plant, and estimated yield. Significant variability was observed among the hybrids, with 10584, 10571, and 10627 standing out for high productivity, while 10578, 10583, and 10650 showed greater rind thickness, suggesting better resistance to transport. Instrumental color analysis showed that hybrids 10578 and 10627 exhibited redder pulp coloration, an important factor in consumer preference. These results suggest that some hybrids have potential for use in breeding programs, as they exhibit characteristics that meet consumer market demands.