Abstract
Snake melon (Cucumis melo subsp. melo L. var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin) is an ancient and traditional crop in the Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, there has been poor interest in assessing snake melon germplasm where its genetic resources have not been surveyed before despite their potential in adaptation to environmental changes. In this study, we assess the genetic diversity of snake melon landraces collected from different Lebanese regions at both morphological and molecular levels. Morphological characterization using a set of 18 descriptors revealed an important phenotypic variability among the landraces studied. Principle component analysis indicated that fruit hair and its consistency, fruit size, and skin color pattern were good criteria for discriminating among landraces. Based on the scatter plot diagram, landraces of snake melon formed five different groups with one being defined as typical var. flexuosus. Ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used for the molecular characterization. Fifty-six different alleles were detected, with an average of 5.6 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content of SSR markers ranged from 0.06 to 0.84 (average 0.38). Cluster analysis based on molecular markers showed high genetic diversity and divided the landraces into five distinct genetic groups, confirming thereby the morphological variability. Findings of this study indicate a significant diversity for the Lebanese snake melon germplasm that must be further conserved and considered in improvement programs of this ancient crop.
Highlights
Snake melon or Armenian cucumber, known as snake cucumber (Cucumis melo subsp. melo L.var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin; 2n = 2x = 24), is a member of the cucurbits family
The accessions were collected from rural areas, where farmers apply the seed saving system and plant small or vast surfaces of snake melon for their specific uses
Marker CMTA134a identified six alleles while assessing the Greek/Cypriot germplasm versus a total of 11 different alleles detected in our study. These findings show that the Lebanese snake melon germplasm have some distinctive characters as compared to other germplasms in the region
Summary
Snake melon or Armenian cucumber, known as snake cucumber Snake melon is a rain-fed crop where it flourishes in sunny and warm climates and it is commonly grown in the Levant area, Asia Minor, and North Africa. Snake melon fruits are harvested immature and green and consumed when fresh or pickled [2,3]. It earned its common name “snake melon” from its very long, slender, curved, and twisted fruits [4]. It is recognized around the world by different
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