Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for horticultural traits and mineral content in watermelon

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were studied in 102 germplasm of watermelon from different Citrullus species (C. lanatus var. lanatus, C. lanatus var. citroides and C. colocynthis) for yield attributing traits and different mineral content. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for node number of first male flower, yield per plant, average fruit weight, manganese, copper and zinc contents respectively. Moderatetohigh heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were found for average fruit weight, yield per plant, Zn and Mn content and high heritability with moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean were obtained for Mg and Na which reflected wide variability for traits of economic importance and further selection could improve the genotypes.