Screening of melon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm for multiple disease resistance

Summary Melon germplasm was screened for cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea), downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis) resistance under artificial conditions except downy mildew for which screening was done under natural epiphytotic conditions. High level resistance to all the four diseases was not recorded in any of the collections tested. Nevertheless, ertheless, resistance to three diseases was located in three germplasm. Wild Cucumis species C. figarei exhibited absolute resistance to CGMMV and Fusarium wilt and high level resistance to downy mildew. Phoot or snapmelon (Cucumis melo var. momordica) — a non-dessert from of Indian origin—was highly resistant to downy mildew and resistant to CGMMV and medium resistant to Fusarium wilt. Iroquois was resistant to powdery mildew and medium resistant to downy mildew and CGMMV.     

甜瓜作图亲本相关序列扩增的多态性分析

以中国甜瓜地方品种自交系4G21(香瓜)和3A832(哈密瓜)为作图亲本,利用SRAP(Se-quence-relatedAmplifiedPolymorphism)分析了甜瓜作图亲本的多态性,结果表明:在184个SRAP引物组合中有176个扩增出多态性条带,不同引物组合扩增的多态性条带的变异幅度在1～15之间,共扩增出614个,平均每个引物组合扩增出3.34个,说明SRAP标记揭示甜瓜作图亲本多态性的效率很高。     

One dominant gene conferring the resistance to the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii(Burgess) Diptera: Agromyzidae in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The line Nantais Oblong, a melon of Charentais type, was shown to be a source of resistance by antibiosis to the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Diptera, Agromyzidae. We studied the genetic control of this resistance in F2 and back-cross progenies from the cross between Nantais Oblong and Védrantais, a Charentais line susceptible to the leafminer. Tests were carried out on young plants in plastic cages with controlled infestation. Complete mortality of the L. trifolii larvae was used as indicator of plant resistance. Segregation ratios were consistent with monogenic dominant control of the resistance. The symbol Lt for Liriomyza trifolii resistance is proposed.     

Diversity among melon landraces (Cucumis melo L.) from Greece and their genetic relationships with other melon germplasm of diverse origins

Diversity among 17 melon landraces and inbred lines of Group Cantalupensis, Inodorus, and Flexuosus germplasm from Greece was assessed using 24 RAPD primers, 11 morphological traits of fruit, two yield-related characteristics, and resistance to powdery mildew. Accessions were genetically diverse and the greatest variation was detected in Group Flexuosus. Comparative analysis of Greek germplasm and an array of previously characterized reference accessions [RA; 68 from Africa (15), United States (U.S.; 5), Central Europe (14), Japan (19), and Spain (15)], spanning major market classes employing 19 RAPD primers (standard marker array), indicates that all but one of the accessions from Greece showed genetic affinities among themselves and with 23 RA of various origin (i.e., Japan, U.S., Central Europe, Spain and Israel) and market class. Accessions from Greece were, however, distinct from the African landraces and most Spanish melons. Greek accessions also showed little genetic affinity with the Casabas (Blanco and Crenshaw), Ogen, and U.S. Eastern Market accessions. Group Flexuosus and Inodorus accessions from Greece possessed genetic affinities with Western Asian (Group Conomon) and Mediterranean (Group Inodorus) market classes, respectively. The uniqueness of Greek melon landraces portends their potential usefulness for the enhancement of U.S., European, and Asian melon market classes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of genotype and light intensity on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The efficiency of 14 commercial cultivars of melon (Cucumis melo L.) for callus induction, plant regeneration and somatic embryogenesis under different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) (150 or 50μmol m^?2 s^?1) was investigated. Cotyledonal explants were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented either with 9.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 23.2μM kinetin or with 0.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.26 μM 6-benzyladenine for the induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoots, respectively. For embryo maturation and root induction, growing callus tissues were transferred on growth regulator-free MS medium. Both genotype and the intensity of light significantly affected the rate of somatic embryo-genesis, embryo maturation and plant regeneration. On average, 12–47 primary globular-stage embryos were produced per mm² of explant surface. Fully developed, cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos were obtained from only three cultivars. Relatively high root induction rates were observed both on the shoot induction medium (11 cultivars) and on growth regulator-free medium (seven cultivars). In contrast, only six cultivars responded positively to the shoot induction treatment. Callus growth and somatic embryogenesis were significantly improved if cultures were incubated under higher PPFD values, although plant regeneration from all cultivars was significantly reduced under the same conditions.     

Fertility and pollen tube growth in polyploid melons (Cucumis melo L.)

The high sterility of tetraploid melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants is a serious inconvenient to obtain economically useful polyploid lines. In order to study the alterations on diploid pollen tube growth and their influence on sterility, in vitro and in vivo pollen tube growth from three commercial varieties and its tetraploids was observed. Polyploid pollen grains show a lower germination percentage in vitro and a slower germination rate than haploid pollen. Furthermore, diploid pollen grains producing two or three tubes and tube branchings were observed on diploid pollen; this seems to indicate a decrease in its functionality. In vivo and in vitro pollen behaviours are quite similar, but an interaction between the pollen and the pistillar tissues was detected in vivo. In the diploid × tetraploid cross, where fruits were not obtained, pollen tubes showed a slow growth rate at the base of the pistil. The possible effects of these alterations in sterility are discussed in terms of the factors that could affect fecundation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Race identification in powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) on melon (Cucumis melo) in Japan

Powdery mildew fungi isolated from single lesions on leaves of susceptible melon genotypes during semi-forcing and late-raising cultivation in Japan were tested. All 80 of the isolated strains were identified as Sphaerotheca fuliginea. The dominant fungus races found during semiforcing cultivation were race 5 in March (100%) and race 1 in May (100%), and race 1 (80%) during late-raising cultivation. Although the frequencies were quite low (13% in late August, but no isolation earlier in the season), two new races of S. fuliginea, which could not be identified by the differential genotypes, appeared during late-raising cultivation. These results suggest that the resistance gene to races 1 and 5 of S. fuliginea should be introduced into the breeding materials in Japan.     

Comparative analysis of cultivated melon groups (Cucumis melo L.) using random amplified polymorphic DNA and simple sequence repeat markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to characterize genetic relationships among 46 accessions in two C. melo L. subsp. melo (Cantalupensis, Inodorus) and subsp.agrestis (Conomon, and Flexuosus) groups. Genetic distance (GD) estimates were made among and between accessions in four melon market classes [Galia, Ogen, Charentais, and Shipper (European and U.S. types)] of Cantalupensis, one market class of Inodorus (Cassaba and Honey Dew), one accession of Conomon, and one accession of Flexuosus by employing three GD estimators; simple matching coefficient, Jaccard's coefficient, and Nei's distance-D. Differences detected among 135 RAPD bands and 54 SSR bands (products of 17 SSR primers) were used to calculate GD. Band polymorphisms observed with 21 RAPD primers and 7 SSR primers were important (p =0.01) in the detection of genetic differences. Estimators of GD were highly correlated (p 0.0001; r_s = 0.64 to0.99) when comparisons were made between estimation methods within a particular marker system. Lower correlations (r_s = 0.17 to 0.40) were detected (P > 0.001) between marker systems using any one estimator. The GD of the Conomon and Flexuosus accessions was significantly different (p> 0.001)from the mean GD of all the market classes examined. The mean GD (Jaccard's coefficient) among accessions of Ogen, Galia, Cassaba, Charentais, European shipper, and U.S. shipper groups was 0.11 ± 0.04, 0.33± 0.09, 0.21 ± 0.04, 0.26 ± 0.10, 0.17± 0.05 and 0.22 ± 0.08, respectively. Market classes were distinct (p > 0.001), such that GDs between Galia and other accessions were the largest(mean GD 0.34 to 0.35), and GDs between Ogen and other accessions were the smallest (mean GD 0.29 to 0.30). Contrasts between the U.S. shipper cultivar Top Mark and accessions within any market class was relatively large (mean GD = 0.42 ± 0.06). Empirical estimations of variances associated with each marker type in the accessions examined indicated that, per band, lower coefficients of variation can be attained in the estimation of GD when using RAPDs compared to SSRs. Nevertheless, the genetic relationships identified using these markers were generally similar. The disparity between the analyses of the two markers made may be related to the amount of genome coverage which is characteristic of a particular marker system and/or its efficiency in sampling variation in a population. Results of RAPD marker analysis suggest that 80 marker bands were adequate for assessing the genetic variation present in the accessions examined. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

甜瓜F2群体农艺性状的分析

对甜瓜F2群体的性状遗传进行分析,利用J28-1-4-2(H)-2-2-1和DC-4-1-7-2-1-4-1-1-1杂交得到203个F2个体,2007年对节间长、叶长、叶宽等9个性状进行调查、评价.对所得数据进行方差分析、相关分析、全子集法回归分析、通径分析.结果表明,除了节间长性状外,其他性状都呈正态分布,说明这些性状是数量性状.节问长性状呈双峰分布,与前人的研究结果存在着不同.所有测量的性状都与产量有极显著的相关.通径分析表明,节间长度对于果重的直接影响比较小,节问与产量的相关系数较大,主要是由其他性状间接造成的,所以说明节间性状不会影响产量.为甜瓜短节间育种提供了理论依据.     

Breeding of Persian melon: Purpose to increase volatile compounds in melon (Cucumis melo) intergroup F1 cross population

Understanding the volatile profile of melon is an ever increasingly important task for breeders for enhancing their flavour component. For this purpose, F1 progeny and parental lines were analysed using headspace-solid phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based analysis. Diallel analysis showed that most of the investigated compounds were controlled via non-additive genetic effects with general combining ability to specific combining ability ratios of less than 0.4. High heterosis results were observed in alcohols such as ethanol and octanol in both rind and mesocarp samples and benzylalcohol in the rind. It was also noted that the ester-based compounds with high heterosis values in mesocarp samples differed from those with heterosis in rind samples. These observations further emphasize the non-additive control of these compounds. It can be concluded that non-additive genetic control is strongly governing the genetic profile within the studied progeny. This finding indicated that dudaim lines as a valuable genetic material enhanced the volatile profile of odourless commercial types of ameri and inodorus melon.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Indian melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces with special reference to disease and insect resistance loci

This study was aimed to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of Indian melon landraces with special reference to disease and insect resistance loci. Thirty‐six simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers along with seven markers at disease and insect resistance loci were used for this purpose on a panel of 91 accessions available at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India. Model‐based structure analysis revealed the presence of four groups that were consistent with the results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The delineation of populations was mostly based on geography with improved varieties as a separate group. Ten accessions have been identified to possess beneficial alleles at all the selected disease resistance loci and shall be useful for incorporating multiple disease resistance after phenotypic validation. The results obtained in the current study demonstrate the importance of the Indian melon group as a valuable genetic reservoir and the need to plan strategies for its conservation and utilization in breeding programmes.     

Inheritance of resistance to cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Summary Studies on inheritance of resistance to CGMMV showed that resistance was governed by polygenes with recessive nature. Out of 15 crosses studied, 10 were found to be interacting. All the interacting crosses (except one Phoot x Harela) showed duplicate type of epistasis. Kachri x Phoot (R × R type) cross exhibited heterosis in F₁ and transgressive segregation in F₂ for resistance. Studies pointed out the need to exploit this F₁ further to develop a new breeding line with higher level of resistance than both the parents.     

甜瓜ACS基因家族成员的鉴定及其表达特性分析

乙烯在高等植物生长发育等多个方面都具有重要的调控作用,而ACS(1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid(ACC)synthase,1-氨基环丙烷-1羧酸合成酶)是乙烯生物合成途径的限速酶,由多基因家族编码,不同的发育、环境、激素刺激等信号诱导不同的ACS基因表达.本研究以甜瓜品种'河...     

直接扩增甜瓜小卫星DNA指纹图谱

以小卫星DNA YNZ22核心序列为引物,甜瓜DNA为模板,在甜瓜上研究了直接扩增小卫星DNA(DAMD)的优化反应体系,结果表明:在20μL的反应体系中,5种主要成分Taq DNA聚合酶、Mg2 、引物、模板DNA和dNTPs的最适浓度分别为1U,2.5 mmol/L,0.5 mmol/L,30 ng,5 mmol/L。在优化的DAMD-PCR反应体系下,利用该引物在28个甜瓜品种上构建了直接扩增小卫星DNA(DAMD)的指纹图谱,分析结果表明,该引物在28个甜瓜品种上共扩增出13位点,其中9位点具有多态性,多态性条带比率为69%,可一次性从28个甜瓜品种中鉴别出其中的21个,鉴别率高达75%。     

采前BTH处理对银帝牌甜瓜果皮显微结构的影响

在甜瓜网纹形成期(花后28d),用质量浓度为100mg/L的BTH(苯丙噻重氮)对甜瓜植株进行喷洒处理,分析采前BTH处理后甜瓜果皮组织结构的变化。结果表明,BTH处理后甜瓜表皮细胞中的木质素、木栓层和胼胝质大量积累,而且果实表皮细胞间隙填充了大量的木质素,细胞排列更为紧密。     

甜瓜种子醇溶蛋白的反相HPLC分析鉴定

针对目前国内甜瓜的主栽品种K96-8×6-1、T-5Xred1-28和94×8-1的自交系及杂交种种子醇溶贮藏蛋白进行反相HPLC法分离。结果表明其色谱图明显不同,可以用于该品种（系）的鉴定,认为RP-HPLC技术是一种快速、准确、可信的甜瓜品种鉴定手段。     

甜瓜乙烯受体基因Cm-ETR2的克隆及其在果实发育成熟过程中表达特性的分析

为研究Cm-ETR2基因在甜瓜果实发育成熟过程中的作用机理,根据已报道的甜瓜(Cucumis melo)品种Cantalupensis的Cm-ETR2基因序列,设计特异性引物,通过RT-PCR技术从甜瓜品种河套蜜瓜(Cucumis melo L.cvHetao)成熟果实中克隆得到了乙烯受体基因Cm-ETR2 cDNA,序列分析显示,序列长度为2 304 bp,编码767个氨基酸。利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对其在河套蜜瓜果实发育成熟过程中的表达特性进行了分析,Cm-ETR2基因在15DAP至30DAP表达基本没有变化,35DAP表达量开始上升,上升趋势一直持续至45DAP,且45DAP表达量为15DAP的9倍。