Genetic Resources Of Cucurbitaceae

This book provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of the genetics and genomics of the agriculturally important Cucurbitaceae plant family, which includes crops such as watermelon, melon, cucumber, summer and winter squashes, pumpkins, and gourds. Recent years have resulted in tremendous increases in our knowledge of these species due to large scale genomic and transcriptomic studies and production of draft genomes for the four major species, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, and Cucurbita spp. This text examines genetic resources and structural and functional genomics for each species group and across species groups. In addition, it explores genomic-informed understanding and commonalities in cucurbit biology with respect to vegetative growth, floral development and sex expression, fruit growth and development, and important fruit quality traits.

Genetic resources of cucurbitaceae.

The last two decades has been the most exciting period in cucurbit genetic, genomic, and breeding research especially for cucumber, melon, and watermelon. In addition, cucumber became the first cucurbit to be sequenced, after other field crops such as rice, sorghum, soybean, and maize. In thirteen chapters by 34 internationally renowned scientists,

Summarizing landmark research, Volume 3 of this essential series furnishes information on the availability of germplasm resources that breeders can exploit for producing high-yielding vegetable crop varieties. Written by leading international experts, this volume offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on employing genetic resource

Cucurbits include a genetically diverse group of plants and one of the most important and large groups of vegetables growing worldwide, including cucumber, squash, gourd, pumpkin, melon and watermelon. The book of the XII Eucarpia Meeting on Cucurbit Genetics and Breeding, provides the abstracts of the works presented orally or by poster during this virtual meeting. The book will allow the readers to find out the most recent research activities carried out by researchers specialized in these species. The book is divided into chapters corresponding to the sessions celebrated in this meeting. It delivers new information about evolution, diversity and distribution of those species; explores the new genetic resources for characters of agronomical interest and the breeding and cultural methods used to improve their quality and production facing to both biotic and abiotic stresses; provides the cultural requirements for their optimal production and a large number of diseases, viruses and pests affecting their optimal development; finally, introduces a new and relevant topic which is the influence of the abiotic factors (eg. drought, heat, salinity) on their development. Authors have remarkable experience in cucurbits and/or the different topics herein considered which is a guarantee of its interest.

This major work has but one aim: to provide breeders and researchers from the public and private sectors with all the latest information on the breeding of crops of economic relevance. Also, it serves as a major reference book for post-graduate courses and PhD courses on breeding vegetable crops, as well a one-stop-shop for horticulturists and extension agents interested in current advancements in the development of new vegetable crops varieties. Each chapter incorporates the most up-to-date information on the crops examined, and an important novelty is that, in comparison to other books already published on this subject this one contains the most cutting-edge information on molecular breeding techniques.