Keywords
healthy living,
vegetable crop,
watermelon.
How to Cite
Abstract
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb L.) is a nutrient-dense vegetable crop that provides numerous benefits for healthy living and food security. Its drought tolerance and adaptability enable it to flourish in various environments, making it an appealing choice for farmers and consumers. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 2n = 2x = 22, is a herbaceous plant species and a member of the Cucurbitacea family and subtribe Benincasinae and has a small genome of 425Mb. It is an annual plant with a climbing habit and has diameter about 5-6 feet. It is a large, green colour and unique with pinnate lobed leaves among other members of the Cucurbitaceae. Its flowers are usually light-yellow flowers with odour that are not pungent. It is botanically classified into a pepo. Fruits are variable shape and sizes usually oval or cylindrical and round. They are stripped green or plain green colour. The fleshy, juicy, edible part is red in colour with small black or brown in colour seeds. This review examines the nutritional value, cultivation methods, and potential applications of watermelon as a versatile crop. With its high-water content, rich antioxidant profile, and diverse culinary uses, watermelon can significantly enhance food availability and sustainable farming practices. This paper discusses the origin and current state of watermelon production and also brought out the potential of watermelon in meeting the nutritional and economy needs of the people. It lastly pointed out the future research directions.
References
Achigan-Dako, E. G., Fagbemissi, R., Avohou, H. T., Vodouhe, R. S., Coulibaly, O., & Ahanchede, A. (2008). Importance and practices of egusi crops (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai, Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. cv.'Aklamkpa') in sociolinguistic areas in Benin. BASE. Biotechnology Agronomy Socio Environment. 12: 394-403.
Adedeji, T. O., & Oluwalana, I. B. (2013). Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbial Analysis of Wine Produced from Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and
Pawpaw (Carica Papaya) Blend. Food Science Quality and Management 19, 41–50.
Aguado, E., Garcı, A., Iglesias-Moya, J., Romero, J., Wehner, T. C., Go ´mez-Guillamo ´n, M. L., Pico, ´ B., Garce´s-Claver, A., Martı ´nez, C., & Jamilena, M. (2020). Mapping a Partial Andromonoecy Locus in Citrullus lanatus Using BSA-Seq and GWAS Approaches. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11:1243.
Alka, G., Anamika, S., & Ranu, P. (2018). A Review on Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) medicinal seeds. Journal of Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry 7(3):2222–2225
Baba, M., Yelwa, J. M, Yakubu, G., & Sanchi, D. (2014). Comparative profitability analysis of watermelon and pepper production in Danko-Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Review of Knowledge Economy, 1(2): 39–47.
Bahari, M., Rafii, M. Y, Saleh, G. B., & Latif, M. A. (2012). Combining ability analysis in complete diallel cross of Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai]. Science World Journal. 1–6.
Barba, F. J., Terefe, N. S., Buckow, R., Knorr, D., & Orlien, V. (2015). New opportunities and perspectives of high pressure treatment to improve health and safety attributes of foods. A review. Food Research International, 77, 725-742.
Barkur, S., Bankapur, A., Chidangil, S., & Mathur, D. (2017). Effect of infrared light on live blood cells: Role of β-carotene. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology Biology, 171, 104-116.
Bi, I. A., Koffi, Z. K. K., & Djè, Y. (2003). Caractérisation botanique et agronomique de trois espèces de cucurbites consommées en sauce en Afrique de l’Ouest: Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin et Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society in Environment, 7, 189–199.
Bianchi, G., Rizzolo, A., Grassi, M., Provenzi, L. & Scalzo, R. L (2018). External Maturity Indicators, Carotenoid and Sugar Compositions and Volatile Patterns in ‘Cuoredolce® and ‘Rugby’ Mini-Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsumura & Nakai) Varieties in Relation of Ripening Degree at Harvest. Post Biol. Technol. 136, 1–11.
Biswas, R. S., Ghosal, A., Chattopadhyay, A., & Datta, S. (2017). A Comprehensive Review on Watermelon seed oil – An underutilized product. Journal of Pharmacology, 71, 2250–3013.
Boualem, A., Lemhemdi, A., Sari, M. A, Pignoly, S., Troadec, C., Abou Choucha, F. & Bendahmane, A. (2016). The andromonoecious sex determination gene predates the separation of Cucumis and Citrullus genera. PloS one, 11(5), e0155444.
Castro-López, C., Ventura-Sobrevilla, J. M., González-Hernández, M. D., Rojas, R., Ascacio-Valdés, J. A., Aguilar, C. N. & Martínez-Ávila, G. C. G. (2017). Impact of Extraction Techniques on Antioxidant Capacities and Phytochemical Composition of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts. Food Chemistry, 237, 1139–1148.
Chen, J., Li, F., Li, Z., McClements, D. J. & Xiao, H. (2017). Encapsulation of Carotenoids in Emulsion-Based Delivery Systems: Enhancement of β-carotene Water-Dispersibility and Chemical Stability. Food Hydrocolloids, 69, 49–55.
Choudhary, B. R., Haldhar, S. M., Maheshwari, S. K., Bhargava, R. & Sharma, S. K. (2015). Phytochemicals and Antioxidants in Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Genotypes under Hot Arid Region. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, 85, 414–417.
Choudhary, B. R., Jayaprakasha, G. K., Porat, R. & Patil, B. S. (2014). Low Temperature Conditioning Reduces Chilling Injury while Maintaining Quality and Certain Bioactive Compounds of Star Ruby Grapefruit. Food Chemistry, 153, 243–249.
Dia, N., Wehner, T. C., Perkins-Veazie, P., Hassell, P. R., Price, D. S., Boyhan, G. E., Olson, S. M., King, R. S., Davis, A. R., & Tolla, G. E. (2016). Stability of Fruit Quality Traits in Diverse Watermelon Cultivars Tested in Multiple Environments. Horticultural Research, 3, 1–11.
Doll, S., & Ricou, B. (2013). Severe Vitamin C Deficiency in a Critically Ill Adult: A Case Report. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67, 881–882.
Dube, J., Ddamulirab, G., & Maphosaa, M. (2020). Watermelon production in Africa: challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Vegetable Science, 11 pp.
Egel, D. S., & Martyn, R. D. (2013). Fusarium wilt of watermelon and other cucurbits. The Plant HealthInstructor, 10, 1094.
Elumalai, M., Karthika, B., & Usha, V. (2013). Lycopene - Role in Cancer Prevention. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Biological Science, 4, 371–378.
Erhirhie, E. O., & Ekene, N. E. (2013). Medicinal Values on Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon): Pharmacological Review. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 4(4), 1305-1312.
FAO statistics. (2019). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
FAO (2021). In brief to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Transforming Food System for Food Security, Improved Nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Rome, FAO.
FAO (2022). FAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data (accessed 18 January 2022).
Fila, W. A., Itam, E. H., Johnson, J. T., Odey, M.O., Effiong, E. E., Dasofunjo, K., & Ambo, E. E. (2013). Comparative Proximate Compositions of Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus), Squash Cucurbita pepo’l) and Rambutan (Nephelium Lappaceum). International Journal Science Technology, 1, 81–88.
Gbotto, A. A., Koffi, K. K., Fouha Bi, N. S., Doubi Bi, S. T., Tro1, H. H., Baudoin, J., & Zoro Bi, I. A. (2016). Morphological diversity in oleaginous watermelon (Citrullus mucosospermus) from the Nangui Abrogoua University germplasm collection. African Journal of Biotechnology, 15(21), 917-929.
Girek, Z., Prodanovic, S., Zdravkovic, J., Zivanovic, T., Ugrinovic, M., & Zdravkovic, M. (2013). The effect of growth regulators on sex expression in melon (Cucumis melo L.). Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology,13, 165-171.
Gouda, P. K., Saikumar, S., Varma, C. M., Nagesh, K., Thippeswamy, S., Shenoy, V., Ramesha, M. S., & Shashidhar, H. E. (2013). Marker‐assisted breeding of Pi‐1 and Piz‐5 genes imparting resistance to rice blast in PRR 78, restorer line of Pusa RH‐10 Basmati rice hybrid. Plant Breeding, 132(1), 61-69.
Gusmini, G., Wehner, T.C., Joobeur, T., Dean, R. A., & Levi, A (2004). Protocol for DNA extraction from watermelon leaves for SSR marker studies. Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report, 27, 25-29.
Hong, M.Y., Hartig, N., Kaufman, K., Hooshmand, S., Figueroa, A., & Kern, M. (2015). Watermelon consumption improves inflammation and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Nutrition Research, 35 (3), 251–258.
Ijah, U. J. J., Ayodele, H. S., & Aransiola, S. A. (2015). Microbiological and Some Sensory Attributes of Watermelon Juice and Watermelon-Orange Juice Mix. Journal of Food Resource Science, 4, 49–61.
Jensen, B. D. (2012). African watermelon and their uses. In Proc. of the Xth EUCARPIA meeting on genetics and breeding of cucurbitaceae, Antalya (Turkey), October 15th -18th, 2012, 264- 274.
Jensen, B. D., Touré, F. M., Ag Hamattal, M., Touré, F. A., & Nantoumé, A. D. (2011). Watermelons in the sand of Sahara: cultivation and use of indigenous landraces in the Tombouctou region of Mali. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 9, 151–162.
Jian, L., Du, C. J., Lee, A. H., & Binns, C. W. (2005). Do dietary lycopene and other carotenoids protect against prostate cancer? International Journal of Cancer, 113(6), 1010-1014.
Johary, A., Jain, V., & Misra, S. (2012). Role of lycopene in the prevention of cancer. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 2(3), 167-170.
Jumde, A. D., Shukla, R. N., Gousoddin, A., (2015). Development and Chemical Analysis of Watermelon Blends with Beetroot Juice during Storage. International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 4, 2395–4752.
Kehili, M., Kammlott, M., Choura, S., Zammel, A., Zetzl, C., Smirnova, I. & Sayadi, S. (2017). Supercritical CO2 extraction and antioxidant activity of lycopene and β-carotene-enriched oleoresin from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) peels by-product of a Tunisian industry. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 102, 340-349.
Kim, C. H., Park, M. K., Kim, S. K., & Cho, Y. H. (2014). Antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory activity of lycopene in watermelon. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 49(9), 2083-2091.
Kulczyński, B., Gramza-Michałowska, A., Kobus-Cisowska, J., & Kmiecik, D. (2017). The role of carotenoids in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease–Current state of knowledge. Journal of Functional Foods, 38, 45-65.
Kyriacou, M. C., Leskovar, D. I., Colla, G., & Rouphael, Y. (2018). Watermelon and melon fruit quality: The genotypic and agro-environmental factors implicated. Scientia Horticulturae, 234, 393-408.
Lemos, Á. T., Ribeiro, A. C., Fidalgo, L. G., Delgadillo, I., & Saraiva, J. A. (2017). Extension of raw watermelon juice shelf-life up to 58 days by hyperbaric storage. Food Chemistry, 231, 61-69.
Levi, A., Jarret, R., Kousik, S., Patrick Wechter, W., Nimmakayala, P., & Reddy, U. K. (2017). Genetic resources of watermelon. In Genetics and genomics of cucurbitaceae (pp. 87-110). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Lin, Q., Liang, R., Williams, P. A., & Zhong, F. (2018). Factors affecting the bioaccessibility of β-carotene in lipid-based microcapsules: Digestive conditions, the composition, structure and physical state of microcapsules. Food Hydrocolloids, 77, 187-203.
Lucky, O. O., John, U. O., Kate, I. E., Peter, O. O., & Jude, O. E. (2012). Quantitative determination, metal analysis and antiulcer evaluation of methanol seeds extract of Citrullus lanatus Thunb (Cucurbitaceae) in rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2(3), S1261-S1265.
Lum, T., Connolly, M., Marx, A., Beidler, J., Hooshmand, S., Kern, M., ... & Hong, M. Y. (2019). Effects of fresh watermelon consumption on the acute satiety response and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults. Nutrients, 11(3), 595. 13pp.
Mabberley, D.J. (2008) Mabberley's Plant-Book: a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. UK: Cambridge University Press.
Maoto, M. M., Beswa, D., & Jideani, A.I.O. (2019) Watermelon as a potential fruit snack. International Journal of Food Properties, 22(1), 355-370.
Mariod, A. A., Ahmed, Y. M., Matthäus, B., Khaleel, G., Siddig, A., Gabra, A. M., & Abdelwahab, S. I. (2009). A comparative study of the properties of six Sudanese cucurbit seeds and seed oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 86(12), 1181- 1188.
Masih, A., Kaur, M., & Singh, B. (2021). Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus): A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of All Research Education and Scientific Methods, 9(5), 3628- 3645.
Martyn, R. D. (2014). Fusarium wilt of watermelon: 120 years of research. Horticultural Reviews, 42, 349-442.
Maynard, D. N. (2001). Watermelons: characteristics, production, and marketing. ASHS Press, Alexandria, USA. Pp. 227.
Mehra, M., Pasricha, V., & Gupta, R. K. (2015). Estimation of nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of seeds of musk melon (Cucumis melo) and water melon (Citrullus lanatus) and nutritional analysis of their respective oils. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 3(6), 98-102.
Mogotlane, E. A., Mokwala, P. W., & Mangena, P. (2018). Comparative analysis of the chemical compositions of indigenous watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds from two districts in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Africa Journal of Biotechnology, 17(32): 1001-1006.
Mohr, H.C. (1986). Watermelon breeding. In: MJ Bassett, (eds.) Breeding Vegetable Crops. Pp 37–66. Avi Publishing, Inc. Westport, CT.
Mujaju, C., Zborowska, A., Werlemark, G., Garkava-Gustavsson, L., Andersen, S. B., & Nybom, H. (2011). Genetic diversity among and within watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) landraces in Southern Africa. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 86(4), 353-358.
Munisse, P., Jensen, B. D., & Andersen, S. B. (2013) Genetic Differentiation of Watermelon Landraces in Mozambique Using Microsatellite Markers. African Journal of Biotechnology, 12(36), 5513-5521.
Nantoumé, A.D., Andersen, S.B., & Jensen, B. D. (2013). Genetic Differentiation of Watermelon Landrace types in Mali Revealed by Microsatellite (SSR) Markers. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 60, 2129-2141.
Namdari, M. (2011). Energy use and cost analysis of watermelon production under different farming technologies in Iran. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(6), 1144-1153.
Naz, A., Butt, M. S., Sultan, M. T., Qayyum, M. M. N., & Niaz, R. S. (2014). Watermelon Lycopene and Allied Health Claims. Excli Journal, 13, 650–666.
Naz, A., Butt, M. S., Pasha, I., & Nawaz, H. (2013). Antioxidant Indices of Watermelon Juice and Lycopene Extract. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 12(3), 255-260.
Nimmakayala, P., Abburi, V. L., Bhandary, A., Abburi, L., Vajja, V. G., Reddy, R., ... & Reddy, U. K. (2014). Use of VeraCode 384-plex assays for watermelon diversity analysis and integrated genetic map of watermelon with single nucleotide polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats. Molecular Breeding, 34(2), 537-548.
Nzamwita, M., Duodu, K.G., & Minnaar, A. (2017). Stability of β-carotene during Baking of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Wheat Composite Bread and Estimated Contribution to Vitamin A Requirements. Food Chemistry, 228, 85–90.
Oberoi, D. P. S., & Sogi, S. (2017). Utilization of Watermelon Pulp for Lycopene Extraction by Response Surface Methodology. Food Chemistry, 232, 1–7.
Odewunmi, N. A., Umoren, S. A., Gasem, Z. M., Ganiyu, S. A., & Muhammad, Q. (2015). L-citrulline: An active corrosion inhibitor component of watermelon rind extract for mild steel in HCl medium. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 51, 177-185.
Pacier, C., & Martirosyan, D. M. (2015). Vitamin C: optimal dosages, supplementation and use in disease prevention. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 5(3), 89-107.
Paris HS (2015). Origin and emergence of the sweet dessert watermelon, Citrullus lanatus. Annals of Botany, 116(2), 133-148.
Paris, H. S., Daunay, M. C., & Janick, J. (2013). Medieval iconography of watermelons in Mediterranean Europe. Annals of Botany, 112(5), 867-879.
Pitrat, M., Chauvet, M., Foury, C. (1999). Diversity, history and production of cultivated cucurbits. ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 492, 21-28.
Rahman, H. R., Priyank, P., Lavanya, T., Srilakshmi, N. S., & Kumar, P.R. K. (2013). A review on ethnobotany, phytochemisrty and pharmacology of Citrullus lanatus L. International Research Journal of Pharmaceutical and Applied Sciences, 3(2), 77-81.
Rajabi, M. S., Moniruzzaman, M., Mahmood, H., Sivapragasam, M., & Bustam, M. A. (2017). Extraction of β-carotene from organic phase using ammonium based ionic liquids aqueous solution. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 227, 15-20.
Reetu. V., & Tomar, M. (2017). Watermelon: A Valuable Horticultural Crop with Nutritional Benefits. Popular Kheti, 5(2), 5-9.
Ren, Y., Zhao, H., Kou, Q., Jiang, J., Guo, S., Zhang, H., ... & Xu, Y. (2012). A high resolution genetic map anchoring scaffolds of the sequenced watermelon genome. PLoS One, 7(1), e29453. Pp.10.
Rimando, A.M., & Perkins-Veazie, P. M. (2005). Determination of citrulline in watermelon rind. Journal of Chromatography, 1078(1-2), 196–200.
Romdhane, M. B., Haddar, A., Ghazala, I., Jeddou, K. B., Helbert, C. B., & Ellouz-Chaabouni, S. (2017). Optimization of polysaccharides extraction from watermelon rinds: Structure, functional and biological activities. Food Chemistry, 216, 355-364.
Sai’d, M. A. (2014). A Study in the Variability of Some Nutrient Contents of Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) before and after Ripening Consumed within Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Research, 3, 1365–1368.
Sawn, M. M. H., Islam, M. R., Rabbani, M. G., Farouque, M. G. & Islam, M. S. (2020). Comparison of food security among watermelon and rice production farmers in Bhola district. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 7(1), 55-68.
Shao, P., Qiu, Q., Xiao, J., Zhu, Y., & Sun, P. (2017). Chemical stability and in vitro release properties of β-carotene in emulsions stabilized by Ulva fasciata polysaccharide. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 102, 225-231.
Sivudu, S. N., Umamahesh, K., & Reddy, O. V. S. (2014). A Comparative study on Probiotication of mixed Watermelon and Tomato juice by using Probiotic strains of Lactobacilli. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 3(11), 977-984.
Soteriou, G. A., Kyriacou, M. C., Siomos, A. S., & Gerasopoulos, D. (2014). Evolution of watermelon fruit physicochemical and phytochemical composition during ripening as affected by grafting. Food chemistry, 165, 282-289.
Srivastava, S., & Srivastava, A. K. (2015). Lycopene; chemistry, biosynthesis, metabolism and degradation under various abiotic parameters. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(1), 41-53.
Tabiri, B., Agbenorhevi, J. K., Wireko-Manu, F. D., & Ompouma, E. I. (2016). Watermelon seeds as food: Nutrient composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 5(2), 139-144.
Takahashi, H., Mizuno, H., & Yanagisawa, A. (2012). High-dose intravenous vitamin C improves quality of life in cancer patients. Personalized Medicine Universe, 1(1), 49-53.
Tian M, Liang J, Liu S, Yu R, Zhang X (2023) Effects of Watermelon Cropping Management on Soil Bacteria and Fungi Biodiversity. Agriculture, 13(5), 1010. 13Pp.
Ufoegbune, G. C., Fadipe, O. A., Belloo, N. J., Eruola, A. O., Makinde, A. A., & Amori, A. A. (2014). Growth and development of watermelon in response to seasonal variation of rainfall. Journal of Climatology & Weather Forecasting, 2(2), 1-6.
United State National Nutrients Data Base. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2393 (accessed Jan, 2022).
Urrutia, D., Willy, G., & Rolan, M. (2014). Optimization of the productions of watermelon and melon in Candaba, Pampanga. Countryside Development Research Journal, 2(01), 25–32.
Villines Zawn (2017). Can watermelon help with erectile dysfunction? Accessed on Aug. 29th, 2020.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320440
Wang C, Qiao A, Fang X, Sun L, Gao P, Davis AR, Liu S, Luan F (2019). Fine Mapping of Lycopene Content and Flesh Color Related Gene and Development of Molecular Marker–Assisted Selection for Flesh Color in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, 1240. 16Pp.
Webber, C., James, S., & Penelope, P. (2019). Organic watermelon production systems: Varieties and weed Control. In American Society of Horticulture Science, 41(4), 1034C – 1034.
WHO, (World Health Organization of United Nations) (2016). Evaluating the Public Health Significance of Micronutrient Malnutrition. Part II. http:// www.who.int/nutrition/publications/ micronutrients/ GFF_Part_2_en. Pdf.
Wong, A., Chernykh, O., & Figueroa, A. (2016). Chronic L-Citrulline Supplementation Improves Cardiac Sympathovagal Balance in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Preliminary Report. AutonomicNeuroscience, 198, 50–53.
Xu, Y., Guo, S., Liu, J. (2012). Dynamic Characteristics of Enzymes and Transcriptome Related to Sugar Metabolism and Accumulation in Sweet and Non-Sweet Watermelon Fruits, In Sari N, Solmaz I, Aras V eds. Cucurbitaceae 2012, Proc.of the Xth Eucarpia Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae. Adana, Cukurova University,110-113.
Zhang, H., Fan, J., Guo, S., Ren, Y., Gong, G., Zhang, J., Weng, Y., Davis, A., & Xu, Y. (2016). Genetic diversity, population structure, and formation of a core collection of 1197 Citrullus accessions. HortScience, 51(1), 23-29.
Zhu, H., Song, P., Koo, D. H., Guo, L., Li, Y., Sun, S., Weng Y, Yang L (2016). Genome wide characterization of simple sequence repeats in watermelon genome and their application in comparative mapping and genetic diversity analysis. BMC Genomics, 17(1), 557. 17.
Zohary, D., Hopf, M., & Weiss, E. (2012). Domestication of Plants in the Old World: The origin and spread of domesticated plants in Southwest Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean Basin. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Pp. 243.