Researchers Decipher Melon Genome

Plant breeders now have a better chance to develop tastier, more nutritious melon varieties thanks to scientists at Texas AgriLife Research. The Texas scientists have completed mapping the genes of the popular cucurbit. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at Iowa State University, an average person in the U.S. eats about 25 pounds of melon every year.

"This will help us anchor down some of the desirable genes to develop better melon varieties," said Kevin Crosby, leader of the study. "We can identify specific genes for higher sugar content, disease resistance and even drought tolerance." The researchers mapped the genes of a melon hybrid resulting from the cross between Deltex ananas melon and a wild melon called TGR 1551. In addition to the genome map, Crosby and colleagues also pinpointed genetic markers linked to important traits such as fruit sugars, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and male sterility.

The complete story is available at http://texasextension.tamu.edu/agnews/index.php?id=1271