Exploring the genomic landscape of gummy stem blight resistance in watermelon through QTL-Seq.

Background: Watermelon is a nutritionally and economically significant crop in the US and globally. Gummy Stem Blight (GSB), caused by three cryptic Stagonosporopsis species, is one of the most devastating diseases affecting watermelon in the US, impacting most of the plant's above-ground parts. This study aimed to identify key Quantitative Trait Variants (QTVs) that include SNPs and In/Dels associated with GSB resistance in selfed derivatives of advanced multicross interspecific derivatives population derived from intercrosses between the most resistant lines of Citrullus amarus and highly susceptible cultivars of Citrullus lanatus.

Mapping and validation of Fusarium wilt race 2 resistance QTL from Citrullus amarus line USVL246-FR2.

Fon race 2 resistant QTLs were identified on chromosomes 8 and 9. Families homozygous for resistance alleles at a haplotype of three KASP markers had 42% lower disease severity than those with susceptible alleles in an independent, interspecific validation population confirming their utility for introgression of Fusarium wilt resistance. Fusarium oxysporum f.

Genomic and pangenomic analyses provide insights into the population history and genomic diversification of bottle gourd.

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Strandl.) is an economically important vegetable crop and one of the earliest domesticated crops.

Mapping the genetic architecture of low-temperature stress tolerance in citron watermelon.

Sweet-fleshed watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an important vegetable crop of the tropical origin. It is widely grown and consumed around the world for its hydration and nutritional quality values. Low-temperature stress can affect early planting, seedling establishment, and expansion of crop production to new areas.

Genetic control of flowering time and fruit yield in citron watermelon.

Flowering time and fruit yield are important traits in watermelon crop improvement. There is limited information on the inheritance and genomic loci underlying flowering time and yield performance, especially in citron watermelon. A total of 125 citron watermelon accessions were evaluated in field trials over two growing seasons for days to male and female flowers, fruit count, fruit weight, and fruit yield.

Genome-wide association study of soluble solids content, flesh color, and fruit shape in citron watermelon.

Fruit quality traits are crucial determinants of consumers' willingness to purchase watermelon produce, making them major goals for breeding programs. There is limited information on the genetic underpinnings of fruit quality traits in watermelon. A total of 125 citron watermelon (Citrullus amarus) accessions were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) molecular markers generated via whole-genome resequencing.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping and Genomic Prediction of Fusarium Wilt Race 2 Resistance in the USDA Collection.

Fusarium wilt caused by f. sp. () race 2 is a serious disease in watermelon and can reduce yields by 80%.

Graph-based pangenomics maximizes genotyping density and reveals structural impacts on fungal resistance in melon.

The genomic sequences segregating in experimental populations are often highly divergent from the community reference and from one another. Such divergence is problematic under various short-read-based genotyping strategies. In addition, large structural differences are often invisible despite being strong candidates for causal variation.

Distinct Genomic Loci Underlie Quantitative Resistance to Galling and Reproduction in .

is a virulent species of root-knot nematode that threatens watermelon () production in the southeastern United States. There are no known sources of root-knot nematode resistance in cultivated . Specific genotypes of a wild watermelon relative, , are resistant against but the genetics that underly this resistance are still unknown and it is not clear that this same resistance will be effective against .

CuGenDBv2: an updated database for cucurbit genomics.

The Cucurbitaceae (cucurbit) family consists of about 1,000 species in 95 genera, including many economically important and popular fruit and vegetable crops. During the past several years, reference genomes have been generated for >20 cucurbit species, and variome and transcriptome profiling data have been rapidly accumulated for cucurbits. To efficiently mine, analyze and disseminate these large-scale datasets, we have developed an updated version of Cucurbit Genomics Database.

What makes a giant fruit? Assembling a genomic toolkit underlying various fruit traits of the mammoth group of .

Since their introduction in Europe, pumpkins ( Duch.) have rapidly dispersed throughout the world. This is mainly because of their wide genetic diversity and Plasticity to thrive in a wide range of geographical regions across the world, their high nutritional value and suitability to integrate with local cuisines, and their long shelf life.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Resistance to in Citron Watermelon.

Cultivated sweet watermelon () is an important vegetable crop for millions of people around the world. There are limited sources of resistance to economically important diseases within . , whereas has a reservoir of traits that can be exploited to improve .

Genome-wide association study and population structure analysis of seed-bound amino acids and total protein in watermelon.

Background: Watermelon seeds are a powerhouse of value-added traits such as proteins, free amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals, offering a paleo-friendly dietary option. Despite the availability of substantial genetic variation, there is no sufficient information on the natural variation in seed-bound amino acids or proteins across the watermelon germplasm. This study aimed to analyze the natural variation in watermelon seed amino acids and total protein and explore underpinning genetic loci by genome-wide association study (GWAS).

A Catalog of Natural Products Occurring in Watermelon-.

Sweet dessert watermelon () is one of the most important vegetable crops consumed throughout the world. The chemical composition of watermelon provides both high nutritional value and various health benefits. The present manuscript introduces a catalog of 1,679 small molecules occurring in the watermelon and their cheminformatics analysis for diverse features.

Altered chromatin conformation and transcriptional regulation in watermelon following genome doubling.

Polyploidy has played a crucial role in plant evolution, development and function. Synthetic autopolyploid represents an ideal system to investigate the effects of polyploidization on transcriptional regulation. In this study, we deciphered the impact of genome duplication at phenotypic and molecular levels in watermelon.

QTL Mapping and Marker Development for Tolerance to Sulfur Phytotoxicity in Melon ().

Elemental sulfur is an effective, inexpensive fungicide for many foliar pathogens, but severe phytotoxicity prohibits its use on many melon varieties. Sulfur phytotoxicity causes chlorosis and necrosis of leaf tissue, leading to plant death in the most sensitive lines, while other varieties have little to no damage. A high-density, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)-based genetic map of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population segregating for sulfur tolerance was used for a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping study of sulfur phytotoxicity in melon.

Transcriptome changes in reciprocal grafts involving watermelon and bottle gourd reveal molecular mechanisms involved in increase of the fruit size, rind toughness and soluble solids.

Transcriptome landscape reveals the molecular mechanisms involved in the improvement of fruit traits by the grafting of watermelon and bottle gourd. Grafting has been used as a sustainable alternative for watermelon breeding to control soil-borne pathogens and to increase tolerance to various abiotic stresses. However, some reports have shown that grafting can negatively affect the quality of fruits.

QTL mapping of resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 and Papaya ringspot virus in Citrullus amarus.

A Citrullus amarus mapping population segregating for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 and Papaya ringspot virus was used to identify novel QTL, important for the improvement in watermelon disease resistance.

Resequencing of 414 cultivated and wild watermelon accessions identifies selection for fruit quality traits.

Fruit characteristics of sweet watermelon are largely the result of human selection. Here we report an improved watermelon reference genome and whole-genome resequencing of 414 accessions representing all extant species in the Citrullus genus. Population genomic analyses reveal the evolutionary history of Citrullus, suggesting independent evolutions in Citrullus amarus and the lineage containing Citrullus lanatus and Citrullus mucosospermus.

Haplotype Networking of GWAS Hits for Citrulline Variation Associated with the Domestication of Watermelon.

Watermelon is a good source of citrulline, a non-protein amino acid. Citrulline has several therapeutic and clinical implications as it produces nitric oxide via arginine. In plants, citrulline plays a pivotal role in nitrogen transport and osmoprotection.

Citrullus ecirrhosus: Wild Source of Resistance Against Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) for Cultivated Watermelon.

Members of the highly polyphagous Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species complex cause major crop damage by feeding and by transmitting plant viruses. The Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) of the B. tabaci complex is by far the most problematic whitefly affecting crops including cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus; Cucurbitaceae: Cucurbitales).

The multi-allelic APRR2 gene is associated with fruit pigment accumulation in melon and watermelon.

Color and pigment contents are important aspects of fruit quality and consumer acceptance of cucurbit crops. Here, we describe the independent mapping and cloning of a common causative APRR2 gene regulating pigment accumulation in melon and watermelon. We initially show that the APRR2 transcription factor is causative for the qualitative difference between dark and light green rind in both crops.

Genome of 'Charleston Gray', the principal American watermelon cultivar, and genetic characterization of 1,365 accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System watermelon collection.

Years of selection for desirable fruit quality traits in dessert watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) has resulted in a narrow genetic base in modern cultivars. Development of novel genomic and genetic resources offers great potential to expand genetic diversity and improve important traits in watermelon. Here, we report a high-quality genome sequence of watermelon cultivar 'Charleston Gray', a principal American dessert watermelon, to complement the existing reference genome from '97103', an East Asian cultivar.