Agronomy

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

4 pages, 1205 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops”

by Ana I. López-Sesé

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092308 - 01 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1110

Abstract

Recent progress in plant genomic technologies has amounted to a revolution, making a huge set of molecular tools available for use in plant breeding [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

18 pages, 962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Melon Genetic Resources Characterization for Rind Volatile Profile

by Cristina Esteras, Jose Luis Rambla, Gerardo Sánchez, Antonio Granell and María Belén Picó

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1512; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101512 - 06 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2799

Abstract

A melon core collection was analyzed for rind volatile compounds as, despite the fact that they are scarcely studied, these compounds play an important role in consumer preferences. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry allowed the detection of 171 volatiles. The high volatile [...] Read more.

A melon core collection was analyzed for rind volatile compounds as, despite the fact that they are scarcely studied, these compounds play an important role in consumer preferences. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry allowed the detection of 171 volatiles. The high volatile diversity found was analyzed by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), giving rise to two major clusters of accessions. The first cluster included climacteric and aromatic types such as Cantalupensis, Ameri, Dudaim and Momordica, rich in esters; the second one mainly included non-climacteric non-aromatic types such as Inodorus, Flexuosus, Acidulus, Conomon and wild Agrestis, with low volatiles content, specifically affecting esters. Many interesting accessions were identified, with different combinations of aroma profiles for rind and flesh, such as Spanish Inodorus landraces with low aroma flesh but rind levels of esters similar to those in climacteric Cantalupensis, exotic accessions sharing high contents of specific compounds responsible for the unique aroma of Dudaim melons or wild Agrestis with unexpected high content of some esters. Sesquiterpenes were present in rinds of some Asian Ameri and Momordica landraces, and discriminate groups of cultivars (sesquiterpene-rich/-poor) within each of the two most commercial melon horticultural groups (Cantalupensis and Inodorus), suggesting that the Asian germplasm is in the origin of specific current varieties or that this feature has been introgressed more recently from Asian sources. This rind characterization will encourage future efforts for breeding melon quality as many of the characterized landraces and wild accessions have been underexploited. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Oil Biochemical Composition of Cultivated Cucurbita L. Species from the VIR Collections Grown in the Astrakhan Province of the Russian Federation

by Tatyana V. Shelenga, Tatyana M. Piskunova, Leonid L. Malyshev, Aimat A. Taipakova and Alla E. Solovyeva

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101491 - 01 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

Cucurbita crops are among the most valuable and widely cultivated vegetable crops in global agriculture. Cucurbit seed oil meets the requirements of functional nutrition; it is material for the food industry and medicines based on natural ingredients. The present research was aimed at [...] Read more.

Cucurbita crops are among the most valuable and widely cultivated vegetable crops in global agriculture. Cucurbit seed oil meets the requirements of functional nutrition; it is material for the food industry and medicines based on natural ingredients. The present research was aimed at studying features of the biochemical composition of oil in seeds of the main cultivated Cucurbita L. species from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute (VIR) grown in the conditions of the Astrakhan Experiment Station (AES) of VIR. The oil content in seeds of Cucurbita L. species varied from 40 to 49.7%. Over 80% of the fatty acids (FA) composition (FAC) was represented by oleic (13.6–49.6) and linoleic (33.5–69.3%) acids. The accessions of Cucurbita mixta Pang. were noted for high values of saturated FAs (palmitic and stearic), those of Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo (L.) Harz. of linoleic and linolenic, and those of Cucurbita pepo L. of oleic acid. The multiple factor analysis showed significant differences in FAC in accessions of C. pepo var. melopepo, Cucurbita maxima Duch. and C. pepo. The performed study allowed us to reveal FAC features in seeds of each Cucurbita species from the VIR collection and to identify the accessions with the best economically important indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 586 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Opportunities and Challenges in Doubled Haploids and Haploid Inducer-Mediated Genome-Editing Systems in Cucurbits

by Isidre Hooghvorst and Salvador Nogués

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091441 - 22 Sep 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4099

Abstract

Doubled haploids have played a major role in cucurbit breeding for the past four decades. In situ parthenogenesis via irradiated pollen is the preferred technique to obtain haploid plantlets whose chromosomes are then doubled in Cucurbitaceae, such as melon, cucumber, pumpkin, squash and [...] Read more.

Doubled haploids have played a major role in cucurbit breeding for the past four decades. In situ parthenogenesis via irradiated pollen is the preferred technique to obtain haploid plantlets whose chromosomes are then doubled in Cucurbitaceae, such as melon, cucumber, pumpkin, squash and winter squash. In contrast to doubled haploid procedures in other species, in situ parthenogenesis in cucurbits presents many limiting factors which impede efficient production of haploids. In addition, it is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, the haploid inducer-mediated genome-editing system is a breakthrough technology for producing doubled haploids. Several reports have described using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in cucurbit species, and although its application has many bottlenecks, the targeted knock-out of the CENH3 gene will allow breeders to obtain haploid inducer lines that can be used to obtain parthenogenetic embryos. In this review, we discuss the progress made towards the development of doubled haploids and haploid inducer genotypes using CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in cucurbit species. The present review provides insights for the application of haploid inducer-mediated genome-editing system in cucurbit species Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Lipid Composition of New Hybrids of Styrian Oil Pumpkin Grown in Poland

by Małgorzata Tańska, Dorota Ogrodowska, Grzegorz Bartoszewski, Aleksandra Korzeniewska and Iwona Konopka

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081104 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4182

Abstract

Styrian hull-less pumpkins are valued for their use in health-promoting foods such as oils and snacks. Although deriving from Styria, they are now cultivated globally. Seeds of Styrian oil pumpkins are rich in lipids and represent a high-value product. Thus, seed yield and [...] Read more.

Styrian hull-less pumpkins are valued for their use in health-promoting foods such as oils and snacks. Although deriving from Styria, they are now cultivated globally. Seeds of Styrian oil pumpkins are rich in lipids and represent a high-value product. Thus, seed yield and quality are traits of economic importance. These seed characteristics depend mostly on the cultivated variety and plant growing conditions. This study aimed to assess the variation in hull-less seed lipids of new hybrids of Styrian oil pumpkin developed recently for cultivation in moderate/colder climate zones of the north-eastern part of Poland. The study showed that the newly-developed hybrids have a relatively high content of total lipids in seeds, with a substantially higher share of linoleic acid (up to 63%). However, sterols, tocopherols, and squalene content and composition were similar to pumpkin seed oils produced from plants cultivated in other, warmer regions. This study provides insights into the chemical composition of Styrian pumpkin oil produced from hybrids grown under the relatively severe climatic conditions of north-eastern Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence of the Role of QTL Epistatic Interactions in the Increase of Melon Fruit Flesh Content during Domestication

by Chaymaa Riahi, Juan Luis Reig-Valiente, Belén Picó, Aurora Díaz, Maria José Gonzalo and Antonio José Monforte

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081064 - 23 Jul 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2458

Abstract

Cultivated melon was domesticated from wild melons, which produce small fruits with non-edible fruit flesh. The increase in fruit flesh is one of the major domestication achievements in this species. In previous work, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 6 (paqt6.1 [...] Read more.

Cultivated melon was domesticated from wild melons, which produce small fruits with non-edible fruit flesh. The increase in fruit flesh is one of the major domestication achievements in this species. In previous work, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 6 (paqt6.1) linked to fruit flesh content was detected in a cross between cultivated (“Piel de Sapo”, PS) and wild (Ames 24294, TRI) accessions. The QTL was introgressed into the PS background, generating the TRI_6-3 introgression line (IL) that confirmed the effects of paqt6.1. The primary objective of this work was to fine-map paqt6.1 as the first step for the map-based cloning. Two different approaches were carried out; however, the results were not consistent, precluding the fine mapping of paqt6.1. TRI_6-3 and other related ILs were genotyped by genotyping-by-sequencing, finding additional introgressions in other chromosomes. In an F₂ population from TRI_6-3-x-PS, we found an epistatic interaction between paqt6.1 and another locus on chromosome 11. The interaction was verified in advanced populations, suggesting that the effects of paqt6.1 are conditioned by the allelic composition at another locus in chromosome 11. Both loci should have TRI alleles to reduce the flesh content in the PS background. The implications on the history of melon domestication are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Selection Methods for Resistance to a Specialist Insect Pest of Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

by Lauren J. Brzozowski and Michael Mazourek

Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060847 - 14 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2640

Abstract

Plant varieties resistant to insect pests are a critical component of integrated pest management, but challenges associated with plant breeding for insect resistance, such as a long breeding cycle duration and low trait heritability, slow progress in the field. In this study, we [...] Read more.

Plant varieties resistant to insect pests are a critical component of integrated pest management, but challenges associated with plant breeding for insect resistance, such as a long breeding cycle duration and low trait heritability, slow progress in the field. In this study, we tested two novel selection schemes to improve genetic gain for resistance to the major pest, the striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), in squash (Cucurbita pepo, e.g., zucchini). First, we tested an indirect selection scheme using a proxy insect with correlated resistance phenotypes, Trichoplusia ni, in place of the seasonally available A. vittatum. We found that while resistance to herbivory by T. ni was heritable, there was no reciprocal benefit for resistance to A. vittatum. Second, we tested genomic selection, a method that allows for selection without phenotyping every generation, for both resistance to A. vittatum directly and resistance to the proxy T. ni. Although there was moderate genomic predictive ability, we did not observe realized gains from selection in field trials. Overall, strategies that minimize investment in direct phenotyping, leverage efficiencies from phenotyping correlated traits, and shorten breeding cycle duration are needed to develop insect resistant varieties, and this study provides examples and empirical data of two such approaches deployed in an applied breeding program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 2536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fungal Endophytes as Biocontrol Agents against the Main Soil-Borne Diseases of Melon and Watermelon in Spain

by Vicente González, Eugenia Armijos and Ana Garcés-Claver

Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060820 - 09 Jun 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5246

Abstract

Watermelon and melon crops are affected by some important soil-borne fungal diseases like carbonaceous rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), collapse (Monosporascus cannonballus), or the most important pathology at an economic level, the Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, [...] Read more.

Watermelon and melon crops are affected by some important soil-borne fungal diseases like carbonaceous rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), collapse (Monosporascus cannonballus), or the most important pathology at an economic level, the Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis, F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae, Neocosmospora falciformis, and N. keratoplastica). The methods commonly used for their control are often ineffective, thus new approaches, as the use of biological control agents, are constantly being sought. This work aimed to isolate, identify, and test endophytic fungi for their antagonistic properties against the three mentioned diseases. For this, about 350 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from asymptomatic watermelon plants. Among these, 7 fungal species were selected to evaluate their antagonistic potential against 14 pathogens. Dual culture assays allowed to select two Trichoderma strains according to the high inhibition rates observed (up to 93%), that were further employed in melon and watermelon plants, showing that some of the pathogens were controlled in terms of disease incidence, exhibiting a decrease up to 67% for T. lentiforme. In addition, three concentrations of Epicoccum purpurascens extract was selected to evaluate the germicide effect, obtaining significant differences in the growth of the pathogens depending on fermentation parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1847 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determining Ion Toxicity in Cucumber under Salinity Stress

by Tsu-Wei Chen, Ilka Mabell Gomez Pineda, Annika Marlen Brand and Hartmut Stützel

Agronomy 2020, 10(5), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050677 - 11 May 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3755

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), an important vegetable crop, is sensitive to NaCl. Its salinity tolerance can be improved by grafting onto pumpkin rootstocks, which restricts the uptake of Na⁺, but not of Cl⁻. Although Na⁺ seems to [...] Read more.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), an important vegetable crop, is sensitive to NaCl. Its salinity tolerance can be improved by grafting onto pumpkin rootstocks, which restricts the uptake of Na⁺, but not of Cl⁻. Although Na⁺ seems to be more toxic than Cl⁻ in cucumber, tissue tolerance to Na⁺ and Cl⁻ is still unclear. In this study, a mixed-salt experiment, designed for equal osmolarity and equimolar concentrations of ions between treatments, was conducted using cucumber genotypes “Aramon” and “Line-759,” which are different in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ exclusion. This combination of treatments generated various patterns of ion concentrations in leaves for deriving the response curves of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance to ion concentrations. In both cultivars, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were sensitive to leaf Na⁺ concentration but insensitive to Cl⁻ concentration. In these genotypes, tissue tolerance to Na⁺ varied independently of Na⁺ exclusion. Grafting “Aramon” onto pumpkin rootstock modified the Na⁺/Cl⁻ ratio in leaves, reduced Na⁺ uptake, enhanced K⁺ transport towards the young leaves, and induced Cl⁻ recirculation to the old leaves. These results suggest that (1) cucumber cannot restrict the Na⁺ accumulation in leaves but is able to avoid overaccumulation of Cl⁻, and (2) pumpkin rootstock regulates the recirculation of K⁺ and Cl⁻, but not Na⁺. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

29 pages, 369 KiB

Open AccessReview

Natural Resistances to Viruses in Cucurbits

by Ana Montserrat Martín-Hernández and Belén Picó

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010023 - 24 Dec 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 7439

Abstract

Cucurbit viruses cause considerable economic losses worldwide. The most common viral diseases affecting this crop family are Potyviruses, Cucumoviruses, Criniviruses, Ipomoviruses, Tobamoviruses, and the emerging Begomoviruses. Four main cucurbit crops are grown worldwide, namely melon, cucumber (Cucumis), watermelon (Citrullus), [...] Read more.

Cucurbit viruses cause considerable economic losses worldwide. The most common viral diseases affecting this crop family are Potyviruses, Cucumoviruses, Criniviruses, Ipomoviruses, Tobamoviruses, and the emerging Begomoviruses. Four main cucurbit crops are grown worldwide, namely melon, cucumber (Cucumis), watermelon (Citrullus), and squash (Cucurbita). Huge natural variation is also available within each genus, providing valuable sources of genetic resistance to these diseases. Intraspecific and intrageneric diversity and crossability are key factors to select the optimum breeding strategies. Melon and cucumber are diverse species for which intraspecific resistance is available. Conversely, in Citrullus and Cucurbita, wild relatives provide the resistance diversity absent in watermelon and in C. pepo. Some of the classical sources used by breeders, many of which are multi-resistant, come from corresponding origin centers in Asia, Africa, and America, as well as from secondary centers of diversity. Genetic studies have identified dominant and recessive and often complex resistance. Many of the genes identified have been mapped and markers for MAS are available, but higher mapping resolutions are required to identify the corresponding genes. Only a few genes could be cloned and functionally characterized. Efforts are underway to use genome mapping and functional genomics to advance toward a genomic-assisted breeding against viral diseases in cucurbits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

27 pages, 723 KiB

Open AccessReview

Management of Soil-Borne Fungi and Root-Knot Nematodes in Cucurbits through Breeding for Resistance and Grafting

by Alejandro Ayala-Doñas, Miguel de Cara-García, Miguel Talavera-Rubia and Soledad Verdejo-Lucas

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111641 - 24 Oct 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5277

Abstract

Soil-borne pathogenic fungi (SBPF) and root-knot nematodes (RKN) co-exist in the rhizosphere and are major pathogens causing root diseases in cucurbits. Current knowledge on soil-borne pathogens of cucurbit crops grown under protected cultivation, their host-pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of resistance has been reviewed. [...] Read more.

Soil-borne pathogenic fungi (SBPF) and root-knot nematodes (RKN) co-exist in the rhizosphere and are major pathogens causing root diseases in cucurbits. Current knowledge on soil-borne pathogens of cucurbit crops grown under protected cultivation, their host-pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of resistance has been reviewed. Plant resistance is an effective and sustainable method to control soil-borne diseases and the available resistant cultivars and rootstocks to key soil-borne pathogens are reported. The importance of proper pathogen diagnosis in the right choice of cultivar or rootstock is highlighted because of the specificity in the response of the cucurbit crops to fungal and nematode species and races. Plants protect themselves through common mechanisms of resistance against SBPF and RKN including hardening of their cell walls, pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and production of antimicrobial molecules. The activity of some enzymes, such as peroxidases and phenylalanine lyase, is increased after pathogen infection and is higher on SBPF and RKN resistant than susceptible cucurbits. Plant hormones such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene are involved in the response of cucurbits to SBPF. Most mechanisms of resistance to RKN affect post-infection development of the nematode, which results in a delay or disruption of the life cycle. Traditional and biotechnological tools used for breeding for resistance in cucurbits are described. Grafting is an effective non-host resistance method to control primarily Fusarium wilt but not to control RKN. However, new rootstocks with resistance to both pathogens have been developed recently and their effects on fruit quality and yield stability need additional studies. The impact of grafting on yield in pathogen-infested soils is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Other

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Review

9 pages, 5503 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

PCR-Based InDel Marker Associated with Powdery Mildew-Resistant MR-1

by Yu-Ri Choi, Jae Yong Lee, Seongbin Hwang and Hyun Uk Kim

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1274; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091274 - 28 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3304

Abstract

Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungal disease occurring in both field and greenhouse conditions worldwide. It infects many plant species and reduces both the productivity and quality of crops. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important crop. In order to develop [...] Read more.

Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungal disease occurring in both field and greenhouse conditions worldwide. It infects many plant species and reduces both the productivity and quality of crops. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important crop. In order to develop a molecular marker that can be used more conveniently in the development of PM-resistant melon using MR-1 melon resources, the previously reported cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was improved with a length polymorphism PCR marker. Two cleaved CAPS markers—BSA12-LI3ECORI and BSA12-LI4HINFI—associated with BPm12.1, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) corresponding to the PM resistance of MR-1, have been reported. In this study, we found that in the BSA12-LI3ECORI CAPS marker specifically, a 41 bp deletion was present in the PCR DNA region of the MR-1 melon genome. A new marker capable of distinguishing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) length polymorphism was produced using insertion-deletion (InDel) information in this region. This PCR-based InDel marker distinguished the genotypes of PM-resistant MR-1, PM-susceptible Top Mark, and their F1 progeny. These results suggest that this InDel marker could be used to develop PM-resistant melon varieties based on MR-1. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1699 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Sustainable Cucurbit Breeding and Production in Asia Using Public–Private Partnerships by the World Vegetable Center

by Narinder P.S. Dhillon, Suwannee Laenoi, Supornpun Srimat, Somchit Pruangwitayakun, Anil Mallappa, Arvind Kapur, Kamal K. Yadav, Gopalkrishna Hegde, Roland Schafleitner, Pepijn Schreinemachers and Peter Hanson

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081171 - 10 Aug 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8002

Abstract

The mission of the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is research and development to realize the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. WorldVeg operates across Asia and Africa, and its breeding portfolio comprises global as well as traditional vegetables. Cucurbit [...] Read more.

The mission of the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is research and development to realize the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. WorldVeg operates across Asia and Africa, and its breeding portfolio comprises global as well as traditional vegetables. Cucurbit crops make an important contribution to global food and nutrition security and are economically important to smallholder farmers in Asia, who account for 83% of global cucurbit production. The global cucurbit breeding program of WorldVeg focuses on four species: bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica syn. L. aegyptiaca). Improved cultivars have been developed by the private seed industry, however, repeated recycling of lines derived from elite hybrids has narrowed the genetic base and reduced genetic gains for yield and other key traits. This trend will continue unless a concerted effort is made to introduce new genetic variability into elite hybrids. WorldVeg has organized a breeding consortium with seed companies to facilitate access to the Center’s new breeding lines derived from hitherto unexploited landraces to develop genetically diverse, improved cucurbit cultivars with enhanced yield and resistance to major diseases. Through this partnership, WorldVeg presents its improved lines and F₁ hybrids at Crop Field Days for selection by private seed industry staff engaged in breeding, product development, and sales and marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Recent Advances in Genomics, Genetic Resources Evaluation and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae Crops

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (13 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI