Study of collection samples of table watermel with unconventional pulp color

Relevance. The study of the collection is one of the main sources of replenishing the source material for the breeding process. The presence of the necessary genetic traits can speed up the breeding process. Therefore, at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station, the genetic diversity of melon plants is assessed and promising samples are selected for use in breeding. Materials and methods. The object of research was samples of table watermelon with an unconventional color of the pulp. The aim of the work is to study and isolate the source material of watermelon for use in the breeding process to create new varieties and hybrids of melon crops. In the course of the study, 12 varieties of table watermelon were identified from 33 varieties of the collection nursery, which are sources of economically valuable traits. The selection was carried out according to the yield, the rate of entry into fruiting, taste, color of the pulp. Results. In the course of the research, the obtained samples of table watermelon with an unconventional color of the pulp were evaluated according to a set of economic characteristics in comparison with the standards: Zenith and Sinchevsky. The analysis of the tested samples made it possible to identify 12 samples by economically valuable traits: 3 samples by early maturity and taste: White sugar lump, White wonder, Golden revenge F1; 7 samples with a high dry matter content, in terms of yield and large fruit: Moon and stars yellowflesh, Sweet Siberian, Orangeglo, Daisy, Clay county yellow meat, Mountain sweet yellow, Tendergold; 2 samples for color and pulp consistency: Early moon beane Bakerlneek, Tenderweet orange. The selected samples meet the modern requirements of the industrial melon growing industry, resistant to stress factors of the environment, good taste and consumer properties. Findings. The obtained experimental data will be used to create a genetic collection of watermelon according to the traits that determine the economic value of the gene pool for further use in the breeding process.