Citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vine-like (scrambler and trailer)
flowering plant originating in West Africa. The fruit is the main purpose of its world-wide cultivation.
Watermelons are a sweet, popular fruit of summer, usually consumed fresh in slices, diced in mixed fruit
salads, or as juice. Watermelon fruit is 91% water, contains 6% sugars, and is low in fat.
In a 100 gram serving, watermelon fruit supplies 30 calories and low amounts of essential nutrients.
Watermelon pulp contains carotenoids, including lycopene. The amino acid citrulline is produced in watermelon rind.
Nowadays diverse researches are conducting for identifying genetic regions related to fruit quality, shape, color,
and disease resistance.
Publications:
Guo et al. (2013) The draft genome of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and resequencing of 20 diverse accessions.
Nature Genetics 45:51-58
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