Plant characteristics that can be modified....

The plant has many traits important to species identification that also convey resistance to disease, insects, reduce defects and enhance adaptation to different climate conditions. Unlike consumer preferences about the fruit, these traits are more important to the watermelon grower. Examples of traits that have been subjected to modification in watermelon plants are:

1. leaf shapes with deep lobes, modest lobes or without lobes. The shape of the leaf is important in variety licensing and protection for the plant breeder.
2. vines exhibiting prostrate or upright growth. The prostrate form has some disadvantages by exposing the fruit to sun scald.
   
3. vines of different lengths, some being suitable for growing in a backyard and longer ones for fields.
   
4. different distances between nodes (inter-nodal distance). This trait is important for licensing a particular variety..
   
5. adjusting the time to flowering( 90-120 days from seed) and the time to fruit maturation(25-40 days). Early maturing varieties have multiple advantages including early marketing and production in climates with shorter growing seasons.
6. increasing resistance to insects, worms and diseases including those affecting the roots, leaves and fruit.
   
7. improving vine vigorousness.