Evaluation of potential nutrients in Citrullus lanatus L. and its wild species

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in eighty different genotypes of watermelon including two wild species i.e C. lanatus var. citroides and C. colocynthis. The potential nutrient contents of the pulp, seeds and rind of watermelon were evaluated. The study was carried out dried samples. Results of the investigation revealed that potassium (369.93-8326.2), sodium (38.00-728.17), and zinc (0.03-18.11) has high amount in the most of the genotypes. Although some other minerals were also evaluated but then lower amount as compared to those nutrients. There is a huge variation in the nutrient composition in watermelon genotypes and content reflecting the high selection prospects for these traits to improve the performance through breeding programme.