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Title: Notice of Release of MSW-28: a Watermelon Line with Medium Brix, Full Flavor and Lycopene Content, and Crisp Texture

Author
item Davis, Angela
item KING, STEPHEN - TEXAS A&M

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2007
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: “This is a Germplasm Release, no Interpretive Summary Required.”

Technical Abstract: Conventional breeding techniques have increased the immediately-available sugar content in watermelon, up to 14%. This results in a sweet flavor but greatly limits the watermelon serving size for people concerned about dietary sugar intake. The Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture announces the release of a watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) line that has firm rind, firm full flavored high-lycopene flesh, and lower sugar (Brix) than commercially available cultivars. Taste tests with MSW-28, sweetened to match a full-sugared watermelon control, demonstrated no significant difference between acceptability of the fruit for flavor. A similar test comparing unsweetened MSW-28 to full-sugar watermelon, showed only a slight preference by most consumers for the full-sugar watermelon control. This line is derived from wild collected Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus.