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Introduction:
Germplasm collections are valuable sources of genetic material for crop improvement.  The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) germplasm collection in Griffin , GA is a good example of a collection that is contributing to the production of improved cultivars. This collection contains approximately 1600 genotypes of the cultivated taxa (C. lanatus var. lanatus and C. lanatus var. citroides) and is routinely utilized by researchers for the identification of valuable traits such as disease resistance, improved yield, unique flesh characteristics, health-promoting compounds, etc.  In order to make the Citrullus germplasm collection more user-friendly and valuable to the scientific community genotypes should be characterized to the fullest extent possible.  Currently, about 15 characteristics (descriptors) such as flesh color, fruit weight and shape, rind thickness, brix, etc., are used to describe watermelon accessions in the Griffin genebank.  However, photo documentation of the PI lines is not currently available.  This website is dedicated to the photo documentation of the Citrullus collection and is a work in progress.  So, keep checking back as new pictures are posted.

Plant Introduction (PI) lines were evaluated and photographed in 2000 - 2003 and are still being evaluated.  There are pictures of both greenhouse and field grown fruit from College Station Texas, and Lane Oklahoma.

Acknowledgements:
We would like to thank Roy Gammon for development of this website, and Amy Helms and Anthony Dillard for technical assistance.  This work was supported in part by the Cucurbit Crop Germplasm Committee.