Scientists Decode Watermelon Genome

An international consortium of more than 60 scientists from the United States, China and Europe have decoded the genome sequence of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). This breakthrough is believed to significantly help watermelon breeding for the production of more nutritious, tastier, and more resistant fruit.

The research study, which was published in the November 25^th online version of the journal Nature Genetics, has revealed that the genome of the domesticated watermelon contained 23,440 genes, roughly the same number of human genes. The group compared the genomes of 20 different watermelons and developed a first-generation genetic variation map (HapMap) for watermelon. This information allowed them to identify genomic regions that have been under human selection including those associated with fruit color, taste, and size.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered that a large portion of disease resistance genes were lost in the domestication of watermelon. With the high-quality watermelon sequence now complete, it is hoped that breeders can now use the information to recover some of these natural disease defenses.

View the Boyce Thompson Institute's news release at http://bti.cornell.edu/scientists-find-clues-into-more-disease-resistant-watermelons-genome-decoded/.