The research work was carried out at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from July, 1995 to February, 1996 in a dystrophic Red Latosol of clay texture, after liming. Dourados county has an average altitude of 430 m and it is located at 22º 13' 16" S latitude and 54º 17' 01" W longitude. The climate of Dourados region is classified as Wet Mesothermic, with an annual average temperature varying from 20 to 24ºC and an annual average precipitation, ranging from 1,250 mm to 1,500 mm. About 90% of watermelon crop in Mato Grosso do Sul is basically cultivated with the 'Crimson Sweet' genotype. For this reason this research has had the objective to evaluate the yield and quality of the following watermelon genotypes: Crimson Glory, Jetstream, Madera, Rubi, Starbrite, Verona and Crimson Sweet. The trial was carried out in a randomized block with four replications. The experimental plots consisted of a crop row with five plants, spaced 2 m apart. The main crop parameters measured at harvest as a function of fruits weight and number were total yield; commercial and non-commercial yield, and total soluble solid contents (°Brix) of all fruit classes. Total yield of Rubi and Jetstream hybrids were superior to the others and only Crimson Glory was significantly different. Rubi hybrid produced 87% of commercial fruits, the highest yield, and it was superior in 429% to Crimson Glory yield, which had the smallest yield. In general, hybrids presented higher commercial yield than Crimson Sweet variety. The Rubi hybrid produced 77% more commercial fruits and it provided 214% profit higher than the Crimson Sweet cv. The total soluble solid contents of the fruits were dependent on genotypes and fruit classes. Verona and Starbrite hybrids presented the sweetest pulp.
Citrullus lanatus; hybrid; cultivar; production; soluble solid; costs
