  Given the present rising trends in changing lifestyle and consumption
patterns, watermelon production has shifted from big to small-sized fruits
having desirable quality attributes. Hence, analyses of fruit quality traits of
mini watermelon are crucial to develop improved cultivars with enhanced
nutritional compositions, consumer-preferred traits and extended storage life.
In this context, fruit morphological and nutritional attributes of five mini
watermelon genotypes namely BARI watermelon 1 (W1), BARI watermelon 2 (W2),
L-32468 (W3), L-32236 (W4) and L-32394 (W5) were evaluated to appraise
promising genotypes with better fruit quality. The evaluated genotypes
expressed different levels of diversity for fruit physical qualitative traits
including differences in shape, rind and flesh color and texture. The study
also revealed significant variability among the genotypes regarding all
observed fruit morphological and nutritional aspects as well as bioactive
compounds. Among the studied genotypes, W1 stood out with the highest TSS as
well as rind vitamin C and total phenolic content accompanied by higher fruit
weight and thick rind. On the other hand, W3 genotype was featured with higher
amount of \b{eta} carotene, total phenolic and flavonoid content in its flesh
along with rind enriched with \b{eta} carotene and minerals. However,
comparatively higher amount of sugar and total flavonoid content was recorded
in the rind of W5 genotype. Therefore, W1 and W3 could be exploited for table
purpose and using in breeding program to develop mini watermelon cultivars with
more attractive fruits in terms of quality acceptance and nutritional value in
Bangladesh. Furthermore, rind of BARI watermelon 1 and L-32394 could be
considered as the potential cheap source of bioactive compounds to be used for
dietary and industrial purpose which would decrease the solid waste in the
environment.
