Introduction

 

Introduction:
Watermelons (Citrullis vulgaris) refer to both fruit and plant of a vine-like (climber and trailer) herb originally from southern Africa and one of the most common types of melon are a member of the cucurbit family, which also includes rock-melons, honeydew melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, zucchini and other gourds. Common in fruit platters or as a refreshing desert at a picnic, watermelons are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes.

 

This flowering plant produces a special type of fruit known by botanists as a pepo, which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp); pepos are derived from an inferior ovary and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The watermelon fruit, loosely considered a type of melon (although not in the genus Cucumis), has a smooth exterior rind (green, yellow and sometimes white) and a juicy, sweet, usually red, but sometimes orange, yellow, or pink interior flesh. Dark red fleshed, black seeded varieties are the most popular on the market place. Yellow fleshed (champagne) melons and small mini melons also find a ready market. “Seedless” melons, although more difficult to grow, have become popular in the market.

 

 Reference:

 

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