Watermelon Team contributions to the CucCAP grant including, publications, presentations, and updates about the team’s genomic, breeding and disease management efforts.
View the 2024 Watermelon Report including all tables and figures in pages 20 – 36 of the pdf version of this report.
Watermelon Team members:
Amnon Levi (USDA, ARS)
Sandra Branham (Clemson University)
Shaker Kousik (USDA, ARS)
Kai-Shu Ling (USDA, ARS)
Cecilia McGregor (University of Georgia)
Umesh Reddy (West Virginia St University)
Pat Wechter (Clemson University)
Genome-Wide Association Mapping and Genomic Prediction of Fusarium Wilt Race 2 Resistance in the USDA Citrullus amarus Collection
Scientists at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC evaluated the USDA, ARS citron watermelon germplasm collection for flowering time and fruit yield traits under field conditions over two years. They used a “genome-wide association study (GWAS)” to detect genomic regions and molecular (DNA) markers associated with flowering time and fruit yield traits. The new molecular markers will be useful in improving watermelon varieties for early flowering and maturity and yield performance via marker-assisted breeding.
Bazgha Zia is a postdoctoral researcher at the United States Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, S.C. Bazgha’s research includes the development of virus resistant genetic material in cucurbits and identification of novel virus strains.
Scientists have constructed a comprehensive ‘super-pangenome’ for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication that could improve disease resistance and fruit quality of this vital fruit crop.
Citrullus amarus was screened for resistance to Pseudomonas leaf spot. Genetic markers associated with resistance to P. syringae and other diseases were identified. The results will facilitate breeding for resistance to PLS in watermelon.
Anju Biswas is a Post Doctoral fellow in the USDA-ARS-ORISE program at the U. S. Vegetable Laboratory at Charleston, SC. Her mentor is CucCAP Watermelon Team leader, Dr. Amnon Levi. The focus of her work is plant breeding, plant pathology, and genomics.
