Watermelon Arashan (WDL 5003) F1 is an early hybrid of the Crimson Sweet type, developed by the Dutch company Syngenta Seeds. The vegetative period is 64-68 days from transplanting seedlings and 80-83 days from direct sowing. The plant features vigorous growth, strong and long stems, and a well-developed root system, ensuring effective nutrient uptake and resistance to stressful growing conditions, including drought and sunscald. The hybrid is adapted for cultivation on fallow land and quickly recovers from adverse factors, forming 1-2 large fruits per plant.
The fruits of Watermelon Arashan have a round-oval shape with a smooth, moderately thick striped rind of dark green color. The average fruit weight is 9-12 kg, but under favorable conditions and proper agronomic practices, the first fruits may reach 15-16 kg. The flesh is a rich dark red color, uniform, crisp, with small black seeds. It is characterized by high sugar content — sugar content on the Brix scale reaches 10-11%, imparting juiciness and a distinct aroma to the watermelon.
The hybrid exhibits high resistance to anthracnose (race 1) and Fusarium wilt (race 1), contributing to stable yields and fruit quality. The watermelons easily detach from the stem, are well-suited for transport in bulk without loss of market and taste qualities, which are preserved for 1-2 months under appropriate temperature conditions. This variety is ideal for home consumption, including fresh fruit slices and pickling, as well as for cultivation in both home gardens and large-scale farms.
