Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Enhancing Muskmelon shelf-Life through Intra-specific Hybridization with Mangalore Melon and Marker-Assisted Backcrossing for developing superior lines |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Virupakshi Hiremata, University Of Agricultural sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | virugpb2019@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Muskmelon is a delicious dessert vegetable popular for its nutritive and medicinal value. Most muskmelon varieties are climacteric and have a shelf life of 15 days in ambient conditions. The unavailability of a ready-selling market and lack of large cold storage facilities further deteriorates the quality. Enhancing the shelf life of muskmelon for long-distance transport is one of the major objectives of muskmelon breeding. Mangalore melon (Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis var. acidulous) also referred to as Mangalore southe or sambhar southe locally, is a culinary melon that stands out from traditional dessert variety due to its impressive shelf life, lasting up to one year. This unique characteristic makes Mangalore melon an asset in the quest to enhance the shelf life of other melon types. Its compatibility with muskmelon allows for easy hybridization, leading to the development of intra-specific hybrids with significantly prolonged shelf life, boasting a duration of up to three months. However, the fruit size and shape of intra-specific hybrids resemble that of the Mangalore melon, which is unacceptable to the public. Previously, we have identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) linked to shelf life and fruit quality traits on chromosome 3 through QTL mapping in the Fâ population developed from the intra-specific cross between Muskmelon and Mangalore melon. The primary objective of this proposal is to regain the desirable muskmelon fruit traits (shape and rind colour) within the intra-specific Fâ population using marker-assisted backcross breeding. To achieve this, we will develop a backcross mapping population by crossing selected lines from the intra-specific F4 generation with the muskmelon recurrent parent Arka siri. DNA markers flanking the enhanced shelf-life QTL will be used for foreground selection, ensuring precise transfer of enhanced shelf-life gene(s) from Mangalore melon to muskmelon with minimal linkage drag. Concurrently, background selection will be conducted using genome-wide ssR markers to ensure the retrieval of the most recurrent parent genome and to preserve the fruit shape, size, texture, sweetness, succulence, and taste of muskmelon in the hybrids. Recombinant selection will also be implemented from BCâFâ onwards, ensuring the elimination of any linkage drag associated with undesired features related to shelf life. The proposed marker-assisted backcrossing approach streamlines the process, enabling muskmelon varieties with extended shelf-life to be market-ready within 3-5 years. |
Organizations involved