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Mahmoud A, Qi R, Chi X, Liao N, Malangisha GK, Ali A, Moustafa-Farag M, Yang J, Zhang M, Hu Z. Integrated Bulk Segregant Analysis, Fine Mapping, and Transcriptome Revealed QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with Drought Adaptation in Wild Watermelon. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:65. [PMID: 38203237 PMCID: PMC10779233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Drought stress has detrimental effects on crop productivity worldwide. A strong root system is crucial for maintaining water and nutrients uptake under drought stress. Wild watermelons possess resilient roots with excellent drought adaptability. However, the genetic factors controlling this trait remain uninvestigated. In this study, we conducted a bulk segregant analysis (BSA) on an F2 population consisting of two watermelon genotypes, wild and domesticated, which differ in their lateral root development under drought conditions. We identified two quantitative trait loci (qNLR_Dr. Chr01 and qNLR_Dr. Chr02) associated with the lateral root response to drought. Furthermore, we determined that a small region (0.93 Mb in qNLR_Dr. Chr01) is closely linked to drought adaptation through quantitative trait loci (QTL) validation and fine mapping. Transcriptome analysis of the parent roots under drought stress revealed unique effects on numerous genes in the sensitive genotype but not in the tolerant genotype. By integrating BSA, fine mapping, and the transcriptome, we identified six genes, namely L-Ascorbate Oxidase (AO), Cellulose Synthase-Interactive Protein 1 (CSI1), Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein (LEA), Zinc-Finger Homeodomain Protein 2 (ZHD2), Pericycle Factor Type-A 5 (PFA5), and bZIP transcription factor 53-like (bZIP53-like), that might be involved in the drought adaptation. Our findings provide valuable QTLs and genes for marker-assisted selection in improving water-use efficiency and drought tolerance in watermelon. They also lay the groundwork for the genetic manipulation of drought-adapting genes in watermelon and other Cucurbitacea species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mahmoud
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Cairo University St, Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Rui Qi
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xiaolu Chi
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Nanqiao Liao
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Abid Ali
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mohamed Moustafa-Farag
- Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Cairo University St, Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Mahmoud A, Qi R, Zhao H, Yang H, Liao N, Ali A, Malangisha GK, Ma Y, Zhang K, Zhou Y, Xia Y, Lyu X, Yang J, Zhang M, Hu Z. An allelic variant in the ACS7 gene promotes primary root growth in watermelon. Theor Appl Genet 2022; 135:3357-3373. [PMID: 35980402 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04173-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Gene mining in a C. lanatus × C. amarus population revealed one gene, ACS7, linked to primary root elongation in watermelon. Watermelon is a xerophytic crop characterized by a long primary root and robust lateral roots. Therefore, watermelon serves as an excellent model for studying root elongation and development. However, the genetic mechanism underlying the primary root elongation in watermelon remains unknown. Herein, through bulk segregant analysis we identified a genetic locus, qPRL.Chr03, controlling primary root length (PRL) using two different watermelon species (Citrullus lanatus and Citrullus amarus) that differ in their root architecture. Fine mapping revealed that xaa-Pro dipeptidase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 7 (ACS7) are candidate regulators of the primary root growth. Allelic variation in the delimited region among 193 watermelon accessions indicated that the long-root alleles might only exist in C. amarus. Interestingly, the discrepancy in PRL among the C. amarus accessions was clearly associated with a nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism variant within the ACS7 gene. The ACS7 expression and ethylene levels in the primary root tips suggested that ethylene is a negative regulator of root elongation in watermelon, as supported by the application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC, the ethylene precursor) or 2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG, an ACS inhibitor). To the best of our knowledge, these findings provide the first description of the genetic basis of root elongation in watermelon. The detected markers of the ACS7 gene will facilitate marker-assisted selection for the PRL trait to improve water and nutrient use efficacy in watermelon and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mahmoud
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- Agriculture Research Center, Horticulture Research Institute, 9 Gmaa St, Giza, 12619, Egypt
| | - Rui Qi
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoshun Zhao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanqiao Liao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Abid Ali
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyuan Ma
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kejia Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yimei Zhou
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuelin Xia
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolong Lyu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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Malangisha GK, Li C, Yang H, Mahmoud A, Ali A, Wang C, Yang Y, Yang J, Hu Z, Zhang M. Permissive action of H 2O 2 mediated ClUGT75 expression for auxin glycosylation and Al 3+- tolerance in watermelon. Plant Physiol Biochem 2021; 167:77-90. [PMID: 34340025 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although Al3+-toxicity is one of the limiting factors for crop production in acidic soils, little is known about the Al3+-tolerance mechanism in watermelon, a fairly acid-tolerant crop. This work aimed to identify the interaction between the H2O2 scavenging pathway and auxin glycosylation relevant to watermelon Al3+-tolerance. By analyzing expressions of hormone-related ClUGTs and antioxidant enzyme genes in Al3+-tolerant (ZJ) and Al3+-sensitive (NBT) cultivars, we identified ClUGT75s (B1, B2, and D1) and ClSOD1-2-ClCAT as crucial components associated with Al3+-tolerance. Al3+-stress significantly increased H2O2 content by 92.7% in NBT and 42.3% in ZJ, accompanied by less Al3+-, auxin (IAA and IBA), and MDA contents in ZJ than NBT. These findings coincided with significant ClSOD1-2 expression and stable dismutation activity in NBT than ZJ. Hence, higher H2O2 content in the root apex of NBT than ZJ correlated with a significant increase in auxin content and ClSOD1-2 up-regulation. Moreover, Al3+-activated ClUGT75D1 and ClUGT75B2 in ZJ coincided with no considerable change in IBA content, suggesting that glycosylation-mediated changes in IBA content might be relevant to Al3+-tolerance in watermelon. Furthermore, exogenous H2O2 and IBA indicated ClUGT75D1 modulating IBA is likely dependent on H2O2 background. We hypothesize that a higher H2O2 level in NBT represses ClUGT75, resulting in increased auxin than those in ZJ roots. Thus, excess in both H2O2 and auxin aggravated the inhibition of root elongation under Al3+-stress. Our findings provide insights on the permissive action of H2O2 in the mediation of auxin glycosylation by ClUGT75 in root apex for Al3+-tolerance in watermelon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, /UNILU, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique Du Congo/PO Box 1825, PR China
| | - Cheng Li
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Haiyang Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Ahmed Mahmoud
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Abid Ali
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Chi Wang
- Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Conservancy Bureau of Wenling, Wenling, 317500, PR China
| | - Yubin Yang
- Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Conservancy Bureau of Wenling, Wenling, 317500, PR China
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, 572025, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
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Malangisha GK, Yang Y, Moustafa-Farag M, Fu Q, Shao W, Wang J, Shen L, Huai Y, Lv X, Shi P, Ali A, Lin Y, Khan J, Ren Y, Yang J, Hu Z, Zhang M. Subcellular distribution of aluminum associated with differential cell ultra-structure, mineral uptake, and antioxidant enzymes in root of two different Al +3-resistance watermelon cultivars. Plant Physiol Biochem 2020; 155:613-625. [PMID: 32853854 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Crop plants, such as watermelon, suffer from severe Aluminum (Al3+)-toxicity in acidic soils with their primary root elongation being first arrested. However, the significance of apoplastic or symplastic Al3+-toxicity in watermelon root is scarcely reported. In this work, we identified a medium fruit type (ZJ) and a small fruit type (NBT) as Al+3-tolerant and sensitive based on their differential primary root elongation rate respectively, and used them to show the effects of symplastic besides apoplastic Al distribution in the watermelon's root. Although the Al content was higher in the root of NBT than ZJ, Al+3 allocated in their apoplast, vacuole and plastid fractions were not significantly different between the two cultivars. Thus, only a few proportion of Al+3 differentially distributed in the nucleus and mitochondria corresponded to interesting differential morphological and physiological disorders recorded in the root under Al+3-stress. The symplastic amount of Al+3 substantially induced the energy efficient catalase pathway in ZJ, and the energy consuming ascorbate peroxidase pathway in NBT. These findings coincided with obvious starch granule visibility in the root ultra-structure of ZJ than NBT, suggesting a differential energy was used in supporting the root elongation and nutrient uptake for Al+3-tolerance in the two cultivars. This work provides clues that could be further investigated in the identification of genetic components and molecular mechanisms associated with Al+3-tolerance in watermelon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, /UNILU, Lubumbashi, 1825, RD Congo
| | - Yubin Yang
- Agriculture, Rural area and water conservancy bureau of Wenling, Wenling, 317500, PR China
| | - Mohamed Moustafa-Farag
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Continuing Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Weiqiang Shao
- Zhejiang Wuwangnong agricultural seed industry science Research institute, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China
| | - Jianke Wang
- Zhejiang Wuwangnong agricultural seed industry science Research institute, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China
| | - Li Shen
- Zhejiang Wuwangnong agricultural seed industry science Research institute, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China
| | - Yan Huai
- Zhejiang Agricultural Technology Extension Center, 310020, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Lv
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Pibiao Shi
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Abid Ali
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yi Lin
- Agriculture, Rural area and water conservancy bureau of Wenling, Wenling, 317500, PR China
| | - Jehanzeb Khan
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yongyuan Ren
- Zhejiang Wuwangnong agricultural seed industry science Research institute, Hangzhou, 310000, PR China
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
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Liao N, Hu Z, Li Y, Hao J, Chen S, Xue Q, Ma Y, Zhang K, Mahmoud A, Ali A, Malangisha GK, Lyu X, Yang J, Zhang M. Ethylene-responsive factor 4 is associated with the desirable rind hardness trait conferring cracking resistance in fresh fruits of watermelon. Plant Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1066-1077. [PMID: 31610078 PMCID: PMC7061880 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Fruit rind plays a pivotal role in alleviating water loss and disease and particularly in cracking resistance as well as the transportability, storability and shelf-life quality of the fruit. High susceptibility to cracking due to low rind hardness is largely responsible for severe annual yield losses of fresh fruits such as watermelon in the field and during the postharvest process. However, the candidate gene controlling the rind hardness phenotype remains unclear to date. Herein, we report, for the first time, an ethylene-responsive transcription factor 4 (ClERF4) associated with variation in rind hardness via a combinatory genetic map with bulk segregant analysis (BSA). Strikingly, our fine-mapping approach revealed an InDel of 11 bp and a neighbouring SNP in the ClERF4 gene on chromosome 10, conferring cracking resistance in F2 populations with variable rind hardness. Furthermore, the concomitant kompetitive/competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) genotyping data sets of 104 germplasm accessions strongly supported candidate ClERF4 as a causative gene associated with fruit rind hardness variability. In conclusion, our results provide new insight into the underlying mechanism controlling rind hardness, a desirable trait in fresh fruit. Moreover, the findings will further enable the molecular improvement of fruit cracking resistance in watermelon via precisely targeting the causative gene relevant to rind hardness, ClERF4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanqiao Liao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key laboratory of Horticultural Plant growthDevelopment and Quality ImprovementMinistry of AgricultureHangzhouChina
| | - Yingying Li
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Junfang Hao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Shuna Chen
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qin Xue
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yuyuan Ma
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Kejia Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Ahmed Mahmoud
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Abid Ali
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaolong Lyu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key laboratory of Horticultural Plant growthDevelopment and Quality ImprovementMinistry of AgricultureHangzhouChina
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular BreedingInstitute of Vegetable ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key laboratory of Horticultural Plant growthDevelopment and Quality ImprovementMinistry of AgricultureHangzhouChina
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