Cucurbit crops exhibit extensive diversity in fruit size, shape and color. Image credit: Genes 2021 12(8)
Crop production is vulnerable to numerous environmental and biotic stresses. Our ability to breed resistant crops requires access to diversity that arises from evolution of crops and their progenitors in a wide range of environments. Germplasm collections maintained by the US National Plant Germplasm System and those of other countries are critical sources of diversity utilized by breeders for crop improvement. This review summarizes status of collections and vulnerabilities for cucurbit crops.
For more information:
- Genetic resources and vulnerabilities of major cucurbit crops
by Rebecca Grumet, James D. McCreight, Cecilia McGregor, Yiqun Weng, Michael Mazourek, Kathleen Reitsma, Joanne Labate, Angela Davis, and Zhangjun Fei.
Published by Genes (Volume 12, issue 8) on August 7, 2021.
DOI: 10.3390/genes12081222
