Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research
Project Number: 2038-21530-003-008-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2022
End Date: Dec 31, 2024
Objective:
Melon production in the U.S. is adversely affected by numerous biotic and abiotic stresses. The American public would like improvement of melon that will provide consistent fruit quality as characterized by aroma, sweetness and texture. The melon production industry would like long shelf life melons with fruit quality characteristics sought by the public.
ARS characterized phenotypically and genetically the available melon accessions (ca. 2,000) held by the USDA-NPGS-NRCPIS (North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station). The Melon Core Set, consisting of 384 accessions was selected based on the phenotypic and genetic analyses, and represents 98.96% of the detected genetic variation.
ARS and Cooperator are mutually interested in producing S2 progenies of each Core accessions for genetic analysis and as the next step in producing sufficient seed of each Core accessions for genetic improvement of melon. Production of the S2 includes collection of a tissue sample for DNA analysis of each S1 plant used to produce the respective S2 progeny.
Approach:
1. ARS will provide:
a. Seed of the Melon Core Set for production of S1 and S2 progenies via controlled self-pollination of individual plants.
b. Plates and protocol for collection of DNA tissue samples from S1 plants, and shipping labels for sending samples for genetic analysis.
2. Cooperator will produce S1 and S2 progenies and collect tissue samples of S1 plants for DNA analysis.
