Genetic analysis of the yellow skin trait in watermelon

Abstract

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus] is a diverse species, with fruits of different sizes, shapes, flesh colors, and skin colors. Fruit skin color has been among the major objectives for breeding. Yellow skin is an important agronomic trait in watermelon, but its genetic control is unknown. In this study, we identified a locus on watermelon chromosome 4 for yellow skin through BSA-seq. Segregation analysis in the F2 and BC1 populations derived from a hybrid between inbred lines '94E1' (yellow skin) and 'Qingfeng' (green skin) suggested a qualitative gene character of the yellow skin trait in watermelon. Knowledge of the gene involved in this trait and the ability to select efficiently for the phenotype are expected to accelerate the development of new watermelon cultivars with yellow skin.