Variability among the populations (F_2:3and BC₁F₂) developed for Fusarium wilt and Watermelon Bud Necrosis Virus (WBNV) combined resistance in watermelon

Breeding of watermelons to multiple diseases resistance (Fusarium wilt and Watermelon Bud Necrosis Virus) was advanced by BIL-53, a pre-bred line resistance to WBNV developed from the underexploited species Citrullus amarus, and an exotic collection EC794455, which is resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2. The breeding population was advanced to F₃ population (BIL-53 × EC794455), among the population fruit weight was acknowledged 300 g to 4184 g, fruit length of 6.90 cm to 20.10 cm, fruit width of 7 cm to 19.90 cm and TSS (°B) was segregated from 1.6 to 8.1. The data of the population skewed positively and positive kurtosis indicated the normal distribution. The backcross population advanced from BC₁F₁ to BC₁F₂ [(BIL-53× EC794455) × EC794455]. Among the backcross population, the fruit weighed from 182 g to 6100 g, fruit length of 7.10 cm to 21.90 cm, fruit width of 4.10 cm to 22.90 cm and TSS (°B) ranged from 1 to 6.3. Data of the population skewed positively and negative kurtosis indicated the non-normal distribution of populations due to the paternal influence of the parent on the backcrossed population.