In this study we proposed a field trial to (i) confirm resistance, (ii) make further selections in the
field, and (iii) collect data for further inheritance studies for a watermelon selection (WS896)
that is resistant to Fusarium oxsysporum f.sp. niveum race 2 (FOS 2) in the greenhouse. Our
results indicated that field resistance in WS-896 was not fixed, but indicated field resistance in
the parental line, WS147. Fourteen lines with high resistance to FOS 2 were identified in the
segregating population for further breeding efforts and population-wide data was collected for
future inheritance and genomic studies. A number of the selected resistant lines had desirable
horticultural traits such as large fruit and red flesh. The selections made here will form the basis
for further breeding efforts for resistance to Fusarium wilt race 2 in watermelon.
