GENETIC MAPPING OF PHENOTYPIC AND QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI UNDERLYING HORTICULTURALLY IMPORTANT TRAITS IN WATERMELON by JASON MICHAEL PROTHRO

UNDERLYING HORTICULTURALLY IMPORTANT TRAITS IN WATERMELON by JASON MICHAEL PROTHRO (Under the Direction of Cecilia McGregor) ABSTRACT QTL analysis was performed for multiple traits in an elite x egusi and an elite x citron F2 population of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus Thunb.). Two linkage maps were constructed for QTL analysis using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A total of 16 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified across 10 traits in the elite x egusi population on a linkage map containing 14 linkage groups spanning a genetic distance of 1,514 cM. Eighteen QTL were identified for 12 traits in the elite x citron population on a linkage map containing 16 linkage groups covering a genetic distance of 1,144 cM. The QTL identified in this study can be useful for marker assisted selection (MAS) in watermelon breeding programs and broaden genetic diversity in commercially important elite watermelon germplasm by introducing favorable alleles from exotic germplasm sources.