Performance of melon hybrids derived from parents of diverse geographic Origins

Abstract

Genetic relatedness and phenotype are important factors that govern the expression of heterosis in hybrid progeny of many cross-pollinating plant species. Since this relationship is important but not well understood in melon (Cucumis melo L.), one monoecious and two andromonoecious melon lines of diverse Chinese [Peoples Republic of China (PRC)] origin were crossed to the andromonoecious U.S. Western Shipping market type 'Top Mark' (TM) and the andromonoecious, highly branched line H-16 to determine parental combining ability and heterosis for five yield component traits in three test environments [open-field (USA), and energy-saving (PRC) and plastic greenhouses (PRC)]. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-and simple sequence repeat (SSR)-based genetic distances (GD) among and between parents (5) and their hybrids (6) were calculated and compared to phenotypic trait values. These germplasms were evaluated for lateral branch number (LBN), days to 50% flower (DF), fruit number and weight per plant, and fruit length:diameter (L:D) ratio in each of three test environments. General combining ability was significant for all characters, except for L:D in all locations, and LBN and DF in the plastic greenhouse environment. Both descriptors of difference (genetic marker and phenotype) were discriminatory, and provided similar assessments of relationships among parents and hybrids. Although dramatic performance differences were detected between parents and among F 1 hybrid progeny, a strong relationship between GD and heterotic effects was not consistently detected.

Diallel analysis of yield and quality traits of melon fruits

“…The melon is the cucurbit with greatest morphological polymorphism (Luan et al 2010). There are several types or botanical varieties of melon.…”

“…The continuous implementation of new technologies has led to a constant expansion of the melon agribusiness in Brazil. Melon is an important sector of agribusiness in Brazil because it attracts foreign exchange and employment to the semi-arid Northeast, triggering regional development (Crisóstomo et al 2008) Melon is the most polymorphic species of the cucurbit family, which is particularly true for fruit-related traits (Luan et al 2010). For the breeding of this vegetable, germplasm is available including from accessions collected on small farms to hybrids developed by seed companies, representing a source of numerous possible crosses to generate lines.…”

Genetic Divergence Analysis in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

“…Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) also known as cantaloupe is the most polymorphic species of the cucurbitaceae family, which is particularly true for fruit-related traits (Luan et al, 2010). It is likely originated in Asia from India to Persia, with their center of development near present day Iran.…”

DNA Fingerprinting of Chinese Melon Provides Evidentiary Support of Seed Quality Appraisal

“…PCR reactions were performed in accordance with the procedures described by Luan et al [34], with modifications. Briefly, each 15-µL PCR reaction mixture contained 15 ng template DNA, 0.4 µM each of the left and right primers, 2 mM MgCl 2 , 0.2 mM each of dNTPs, and 1 U Taq DNA polymerase in 1× PCR buffer (Takara, China).…”