BIL-53: A WBNV resistant prebred line of watermelon derived from Citrullus lanatus ssp citroides

Technology Details
Since, WBNV is prevalent in major watermelon growing areas in India, there is an immediate need to develop varieties/hybrids possessing resistance to this disease. In this direction, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru has identified a resistant source and developed BIL-53 which is prebreeding line resistant to WBNV derived from a wild species Citrullus lanatus ssp. citroides. This genotype can be used for breeding resistance to WBNV in watermelon minimising
linkage drag.