THE COLLECTION SAMPLES OF WATERMELON OF BIKOVSKAYA CUCURBITS STATION ARE THE INITIAL MATERIAL FOR THE SELECTION OF NEW VARIETIES

The object of research was samples and hybrid combinations of watermelon  (Citrullus lanatus) of domestic and foreign selection, as well as samples from the collection of VIR. The aim of the work was to study and identify the source material of watermelon for use in the breeding process to create new varieties and hybrids of melons with a complex of economic and valuable characteristics and resistance to biotic and abiotic environmental factors. The essence of the experiments was reduced to the evaluation of the source material on the main features that meet the requirements for the performance of the breeding task. As a result of researches samples of a watermelon which are sources of economically valuable signs were allocated. The selection was carried out according to the yield, length of the growing season, taste and technological qualities of the fruit. Among the samples of watermelon yield was allocated 6 samples with a yield of 19.5 to 24.3 t / ha (standard 14.5 t/ha). Samples with dry matter content from 11.2 to 14.0% (standard 11.0-12.6%) were selected by taste. The length of the vegetation period in the isolated samples ranged from 68 to 72 days (standard 73 days). On the technological qualities of fruit stood out 5 samples, selected samples with an original shape and different color of fruit, bright color of the  flesh. Conducted  with  stand-out  samples of  crossing allowed to select the best hybrid combinations, characterized by valuable economic characteristics. Thus, as a result of the study and selection of samples of watermelon in the collection nursery formed a working genetic collection for further use in the breeding process in the nursery hybridization obtained hybrid combinations that have the necessary features to create new varieties.