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Title: NOTICE OF RELEASE OF USVL-205 AND USVL-210, NOVEL WATERMELON BREEDING LINES

Author
item Levi, Amnon
item THOMAS, CLAUDE - RETIRED
item Thies, Judy
item Simmons, Alvin
item Ling, Kai-Shu
item HASSELL, RICHARD - CLEMSON UNIV
item KEINATH, ANTHONY - CLEMSON UNIV

Submitted to: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Cultivar Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2005
Publication Date: 2/15/2005
Citation: Levi, A., Thomas, C.E., Thies, J.A., Simmons, A.M., Ling, K., Hassell, R., Keinath, A.P. 2005. Notice of release of USVL-205 and USVL-210, novel watermelon breeding lines. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, D.C. Cultivar Release. February 15, 2005.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Two novel watermelon breeding lines (USVL-205 and USVL-210) were developed at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29414. These two breeding lines contain the nuclear genome of cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) and the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomic background of the desert species C. colocynthis. USVL-205 is a 'Black Diamond' type watermelon with globular fruits (10.0" long and 9.5" wide), dark green rind, and red color flesh with 8.8% sugar content. Typical USVL-205 plants produce one female flower for every 5 to 7 male flowers, and fruits are ready for harvest in early to mid-season. USVL-210 is a 'Charleston Gray' type watermelon, with oblong shape (17.00" long and 7.0" width), light green rind, pinkish-red flesh color with a pleasant flavor, and with 10.0% sugar content. Typical USVL-210 plants produce one female flower for every 7-10 male flowers, and fruits are ready for harvest in mid-late season. USVL-205 and USVL-210 might be useful in enhancing watermelon cultivars with chloroplast and mitochondrial genes of C. colocynthis, and in studying the effects of foreign cytoplasm (chloroplast and mitochondria) on photosynthesis, respiration, disease or pest resistance, flower production, or fruit yield and quality in cultivated watermelon.