WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. L); A VEGETABLE CROP FOR HEALTHY LIVING AND FOOD SECURITY: A REVIEW

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb L.) is a nutrient-dense vegetable crop that provides numerous benefits for healthy living and food security. Its drought tolerance and adaptability enable it to flourish in various environments, making it an appealing choice for farmers and consumers. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 2n = 2x = 22, is a herbaceous plant species and a member of the Cucurbitacea family and subtribe Benincasinae and has a small genome of 425Mb. It is an annual plant with a climbing habit and has diameter about 5-6 feet. It is a large, green colour and unique with pinnate lobed leaves among other members of the Cucurbitaceae. Its flowers are usually light-yellow flowers with odour that are not pungent. It is botanically classified into a pepo. Fruits are variable shape and sizes usually oval or cylindrical and round. They are stripped green or plain green colour. The fleshy, juicy, edible part is red in colour with small black or brown in colour seeds. This review examines the nutritional value, cultivation methods, and potential applications of watermelon as a versatile crop. With its high-water content, rich antioxidant profile, and diverse culinary uses, watermelon can significantly enhance food availability and sustainable farming practices. This paper discusses the origin and current state of watermelon production and also brought out the potential of watermelon in meeting the nutritional and economy needs of the people. It lastly pointed out the future research directions.