In order to explore the genetic basis of netted rind in watermelon， segregated population was constructed by hybridization between the inbred line （TD） that with striped rind and the mutant line （WT） that with netted rind. The segregation patterns in F₂， BC₁P₁ and BC₁P₂ populations showed that the striped rind is controlled by a single dominant gene. Transcriptome sequencing and differential expression analysis were conducted for TD and WT rind at different developmental stages. A total of 57 differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were identified between the two genotypes， primarily enriched in seven metabolic pathways， including photosynthesis， alkaloid biosynthesis， and amino acid metabolism. Further exploration of hub genes through weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） revealed those related to biotic stress resistance in the netted mutant. Key genes encoding ClGS， cystatin 5， UDP-glucosyltransferase， vinorine synthase， and chlorophyll a-b binding protein were identified as potential determinants of the netted rind. qRT-PCR was applied to validate partial DEGs. This study provides new germplasm resources for watermelon breeding with various rind patterns， and offers a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the formation of the rind patterns in watermelon.