ADAPTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF CITRULLUS LANATUS (THUNB.) MATSUM. & NAKAI HYBRIDS IN THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37406/2706-9052-2025-3.16Keywords:
watermelon, fruit weight, yield, adaptability, stability, plasticityAbstract
Under current agroecological conditions, which are increasingly complicated by climate change and soil degradation, there is an urgent need to introduce high-yielding and adaptive vegetable crop varieties. Common watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a promising cucurbit crop for cultivation in non-traditional regions, particularly in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, where climatic conditions are unstable. The aim of this study was to analyze the adaptive and productive potential of eight modern seedless watermelon hybrids (Trophy st, Tselin, Inception, Talisman, НУН 21613, Topgun, Karistan, and Tamerlan) under drip irrigation during 2023–2024. This study presents the results of a comprehensive evaluation of watermelon hybrids based on key productive traits under Forest-Steppe conditions. The average number of fruits per plant, total number of fruits per hectare, fruit weight, yield, stability, adaptability, plasticity, and breeding value were analyzed. Inception (1,4 fruits/plant) and Tselin (1,25 fruits/plant) formed more fruits than the standard hybrid Trophy (1,3 fruits/plant). Inception produced 12,73 thousand fruits/ha, significantly exceeding the standard. The largest fruit weights were recorded in Tamerlan (9,44 kg), Talisman (8,52 kg), and Karistan (8,22 kg). The highest yields were obtained from Tamerlan, НУН 21613, Karistan, and Talisman. Genetic-statistical analysis confirmed the stability of Tamerlan (σ²d = 1,19; KfsL = 0,95) and the high breeding potential of Talisman, Karistan, and Tamerlan. Trophy, Tselin, Inception, and НУН 21613 were classified as intensive types (bi > 1), while Topgun, Karistan, and Tamerlan were more plastic. Hybrids varied in homeostasis coefficient (530–953), indicating differences in stability. None of the hybrids showed adaptability above 1, suggesting insufficient environmental fitness. The CVG/CVE ratio of 0,70 indicates a limited realization of genotypic potential under local soil and climatic conditions.
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