Methods and Compositions for Watermelon Firmness

Abstract

The invention provides for unique watermelon plants with an ultra-firm flesh phenotype and their progeny. Such plants may comprise an introgressed QTL associated with an ultra-firm flesh phenotype. In certain aspects, compositions, including distinct polymorphic molecular markers, and methods for producing, breeding, identifying, selecting, and the like of plants or germplasm with an ultra-firm flesh phenotype are provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 529,667, filed Aug. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING[0002]A sequence listing contained in the file named “42—18—57941_SeqList_ST25.txt” which is 7,324 bytes (measured in MS-Windows) and comprising 18 nucleotide sequences, created on Aug. 31, 2011, is electronically filed herewith and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus], is an important commercial member of the Cucurbitaceae family. The fruits display a wide range of coloring on the outside rind. Color in the edible tissue varies from different shades of red to orange to yellow to white. Additional variation in the marketplace can be found with both seeded and seedless types. Unlike the flesh coloring—which is caused by varying genetic loci—the distinction betwee...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides unique watermelon plants with a firm flesh phenotype and methods for breeding and identifying them. The plants have an introgressed allele locus that is associated with the ultra-firm watermelon flesh phenotype and is introduced into a background different from that of previously existing ultra-firm watermelon flesh varieties. The plants also have one or more polymorphic loci that are linked to the locus associated with the ultra-firm watermelon flesh phenotype. The invention allows for the creation of watermelon plants with a desirable firm flesh phenotype.

Problems solved by technology

Often, immature fruits will not be uniform in pigmentation, and overripe fruit will display signs of decay.

The disadvantage to the produce retailer in presenting minimally processed watermelon products is that cut fruits have a short shelf life.

Watermelon fruits currently available typically undergo rapid quality deterioration after being cut.

Deterioration is manifested as juice leakage; in some varieties, the flesh of a fresh cut watermelon fruit becomes unattractive to the consumer quickly.

Cutting the fruit also causes decay, which is observed as a softening of the fruit texture.

The rapid deterioration of cut watermelon fruit places both time and space constraints on the retailer.

Because cut fruits have a short shelf life, the retailer typically performs the processing on the retail site, and has to monitor the products often to ensure that deteriorating products are discarded.

Unlike the sweetness standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are no industry standards to describe the firmness of the edible portions of watermelon fruits.

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