KARAKTERISASI DAN UJI DAYA HASIL DELAPAN GENOTIPE SEMANGKA HIBRIDA TIPE LONJONG (Citrullus vulgaris, Scard)

One of the obstacles in watermelon cultivation in Indonesia is the low yield caused by the
limited varieties of watermelon suitable for cultivation in certain regions. This research aims
to identify various characteristics and the relationship among the results of eight genotypes, as
well as to obtain new candidate varieties with the best yield potential. The study was conducted
from October to December 2024, at the land of PT. Aditya Sentana Agro, Jl. Zentana, No. 87,
Karangploso District, Malang Regency, East Java. The coordinates based on Google Earth are
7º53'56"S 112º35'47"E. The research design applied is a Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD) with one factor repeated three times, resulting in a total of 24 experimental units. Each
genotype of the candidate variety was planted in one plot consisting of 15 plants, resulting in
a total of 360 plants used in this study. The research includes five candidate hybrid genotypes
(471, 873, 874, 875, 876) and three comparison varieties (82, 90, 272). Based on the results of
the similarity cluster analysis, there are two major clusters indicating that genotypes 873, 874,
875, and 876 do not belong to the cluster of comparison genotypes. Thus, genotypes 873, 874,
875, and 876 exhibit distinguishing characteristics from the comparison genotypes, such as
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plant height, fruit weight, fruit length, diameter, and circumference. The data analysis results
indicate that genotype 876 can be developed as a new variety due to its superiority in the
variables of plant height (147.4 cm), fruit weight (0.73 kg), fruit circumference (33.72 cm),
and fruit diameter (10.73 cm). 876 can be used as a new variety because it is superior in terms
of plant length parameters of 147.4 cm, fruit weight of 0.73 kg, fruit circumference of 33.72
cm, and fruit diameter of 10.73 cm