Work

Quantitative trait loci mapping for Fusarium wilt using genotyping by sequencing based genetic map in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fusarium wilt (FW) is a highly damaging disease that impacts melon production globally. There is no practical solution to address this fungus; however, developing resistant varieties through breeding programs might be considered an efficient and cost-effective approach. During the screening of snapmelon germplasm for Fusarium wilt, the advance line "SM2012-1" was identified as highly resistant. In order to identify the FW resistance-linked gene(s) in muskmelon, the resistant parent "SM2012-1" was crossed with the susceptible parent "Punjab Sunehri" to generate an F2:4 mapping population of 110 individuals. A high-density genetic linkage map was constructed using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach. The genetic map included 1962 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, organized into 13 linkage groups, and covered a total distance of 5865.60 cM, with an average distance of 3.47 cM between markers. F3:4 individuals were screened for FW resistance using artificial inoculation techniques. The QTL analysis identified five QTLs for FW resistance located on chromosomes 4, 6 and 7. These QTLs have been designated as qFW_pau4.1, qFW_pau7.1, qFW_pau7.2 and qFW_pau6.1 respectively. Among these, four major QTLs (qFW_pau4.1, qFW_pau7.1, qFW_pau7.2), explained more than 10% phenotypic variance explained (PVE). Whereas only one minor QTL (qFW_pau6.1) showed less than 10% PVE. These identified QTLs showed a significant association with FW resistance in F2:4 melon population. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the identification of QTLs associated with FW resistance in muskmelon using SNP-based markers. The findings from this study will be valuable for future applications such as fine-mapping and marker-assisted selection for FW disease resistance.

Source: Scientia Horticulturae

DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114050