Optimisation of genetic transformation procedure for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)

Origin and emergence of the sweet dessert watermelon, Citrullus lanatus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Watermelons, Citrullus species (Cucurbitaceae), are native to Africa and have been cultivated since ancient times. The fruit flesh of wild watermelons is watery, but typically hard-textured, pale-coloured and bland or bitter. The familiar sweet dessert watermelons, C. lanatus, featuring non-bitter, tender, well-coloured flesh, have a narrow genetic base, suggesting that they...

Lycopene and Citrulline Contents in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Lycopene and citrulline contents of 9 diploids (2X) and their artificially induced autotetraploids (4X) and autotriploids (3X) were determined in mature fruit. Changes in lycopene and citrulline during fruit development was studied using fruit of variety XYXA with three different ploidy levels from 15 to 40 days after pollination (DAP). Polyploids, especially triploids, had higher levels of lyc...

Recombinant Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Hydroperoxide Lyase and Uses Thereof

Characterization of Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus var . citroides ) Germplasm for Resistance to Root - knot Nematodes

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause extensive damage to watermelon ICitrz,llus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatusl, and resistance to rootknot nematodes has not been identified in any watermelon cultivar. Twenty-six U.S. Plant Introductions (Pis) of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. citroides (L. H. Bailey) Mansf., one P1 of C. lanatus var. lanatus, and three P...

Molecular cloning, sequence characterization and expression pattern of Rab18 gene from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

The complete mRNA sequence of watermelon Rab18 gene was amplified through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The full-length mRNA was 1010 bp containing a 645 bp open reading frame, which encodes a protein of 214 amino acids. Sequence analysis revealed that watermelon Rab18 protein shares high homology with the Rab18 of cucumber (99%), muskmelon (98%), Morus notabilis (90%), to...