Carolina Strongback

Watermelon

Variety Description

Description:

COTYLEDON: large to very large, medium elliptic, dark intensity of green

PLANT: diploid

LEAF BLADE: medium size, medium length to width ratio, very dark greyish green on upper side, medium degree of lobing, medium degree of blistering, green veins

FLOWERING: mid-season flowering for female flowers
FRUIT: medium weight, medium to large sized insertion of peduncle, deep depression at basal part, truncate apex with deep depression, small to medium sized pistil scar, absent or very weak degree of grooving, weak degree of waxy layer, thick to very thick pericarp
FRUIT SKIN: very light green ground colour, very weak conspicuousness of veining
FRUIT SKIN STRIPE: strong conspicuousness, medium width, medium green colour, marbled, medium margin
FRUIT FLESH: very weak orange

SEED: medium number, long to very long, very high length to width ratio, red brown ground colour of testa, absent or very small area of overcolour in relation to ground colour, patches at hilum absent

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 1 and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Carolina Strongback' originated from a single cross between 'USVL252-FR2', a female parent line and 'USVL246-FR2', a male parent line conducted in early 2013 in Charleston, South Carolina. The cross was advanced with continuous selection and selfing between 2013 to 2016. Selection criteria was based on disease resistance. 'Carolina Strongback' was identified at the F7 generation in Charleston, South Carolina in 2016.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Carolina Strongback' is based on the UPOV Report of Technical Examination, reference number WTR428, purchased from the Naktuinbouw in Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands. The trials were conducted by the Naktuinbouw in 2022.

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Watermelon: 'Carolina Strongback'