A chromosome-level genome of a Kordofan melon illuminates the origin of domesticated watermelons

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101486118
• Publication Date: 2021-05-24T20:25:20Z
• Authors: Susanne S. Renner; Shan Wu; Oscar A. Pérez-Es...; Martina V. Silber; Zhangjun Fei; Guillaume Chomicki
• Keywords: Melon; Squash; Cucurbitaceae

Significance Wild progenitors of crops are important resources for breeding and understanding domestication, but identifying them is difficult. Using an integrative approach, we discovered that a Sudanese form melon with nonbitter whitish pulp, known as the Kordofan melon, closest relative domesticated watermelons possible progenitor. To gain insights into genetic changes occurred from progenitor to watermelon, assembled annotated genome at chromosome level. Our analyses imply early farmers brought cultivation already watermelons, different other Cucurbitaceae such cucumber. The significant new resource watermelon breeding.