Determination of the inheritance of some seed characters in watermelons

In this study, 11 lines in the watermelon germplasm of Alata Horticulture Research Institute Directorate and the inheritance of seed characters of reciprocal hybrids obtained from these lines were investigated. According to UPOV; size (very small, small, medium, large, very large), ground color of testa (white, cream, green, red, red brown, brown, black), secondary color of testa (absent, present), type of distribution of secondary color of testa (in dots only, in dots and in patches, in patches only), area of secondary color in relation to that of ground color (small, medium, large), patches at hilum (absent, present), patches at margin (absent, present), number of seeds (seed/kg fruit), seed weight (g/fruit), 1000 grain weight (g), seed width (mm), seed length (mm), seed thickness (mm) and seed color measurements were examined and heterosis values were calculated for these parameters. Observations made; black color in 2 lines and 5 hybrids, brown color in 3 lines and 8 hybrids, one red brown color and 1 line white color, big seeds in 5 lines and 9 hybrids, small seeds in 1 line and 4 hybrids and 1 line very small seeds, patches at hilum in 2 lines and 4 hybrids and no patches at margin of the seed. It was found that brown seed color dominates over white and black seed color dominates over brown and white seed colors. According to the results of the research; Y-2-2 × Y-55 hybrid in terms of seed weight per fruit, Y-2-2 × Y-55 hybrid in terms of seed number, Y-55 × Y-45 hybrid in terms of 1000 grain weight, in terms of seed width (mm) Y-45 lines, Y-45 × Y-55 hybrid in terms of seed length (mm) and Y-21 line in seed thickness (mm) was found to be superior.