ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1102: XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014): International Symposium on Promoting the Future of Indigenous Vegetables Worldwide
Snapmelon (Cucumis melo L. Momordica group), an indigenous cucurbit from India with immense value for melon breeding |
| Authors: | N.P.S. Dhillon, H. Singh, M. Pitrat, A.J. Monforte, J.D. McCreight |
| Keywords: | disease resistance, pest resistance, molecular markers, resistance to abiotic stress, fruit quality |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1102.12 |
| Abstract:
Snapmelon (Cucumis melo L. Momordica Group; 2n=2x=24) is native to India, where it is widely cultivated and is commonly called LSQUOphutRSQUO, which means to split. Immature fruits are cooked or eaten raw. In this paper we review the wealth of genetic resources in Indian snapmelon landraces for resistance to fungal and viral diseases, nematodes, and insects, and tolerance to drought, soil salinity, and high temperature. Global melon breeding programs have transferred many of these qualities into open-pollinated and hybrid cultivars of sweet melons cultivated in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. Snapmelon is a source of high fruit acidity, a trait that has been utilized to breed uniquely flavored melon cultivars. Resistance genes to combat pathogens and pests, and to strengthen crop resilience against climate change have been identified in snapmelon collections from various parts of India. More effort is needed to collect, characterize, evaluate and preserve snapmelon diversity in genebanks. | |
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