DNA Markers in Cucurbitaceae Breeding

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), melon (Cucumis melo), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and pumpkins and squash (Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo) are important vegetable crops of the Cucurbitaceae family. Marker-assisted selection has earned an important position in crop breeding. Genetic linkage maps constitute a useful infrastructure for it. Many attempts have been undertaken to construct genetic linkage maps and consensus maps with phenotypic traits and QTLs to develop DNA markers that are useful for marker-assisted selection in Cucurbitaceae breeding. Recently, draft genome sequences of cucumber, melon, and watermelon have been produced using high-throughput sequencing technologies. Massive sequencing has led to the discovery of a large amount of DNA markers such as SSRs and SNPs, which are highly polymorphic, codominant, transferable, and high-throughput molecular markers. These markers are anticipated as the underlying basis for high-density genetic linkage map and gene identification. Furthermore, synteny conserved among Cucurbitaceae family enables the use of genetic information among related species.