Linkage map of Cucumis melo including phenotypic traits and sequence-characterized genes.

A new linkage map of Cucumis melo, derived from the F2 progeny of a cross between PI 414723 and C. melo 'TopMark' is presented. The map spans a total of 1421 cM and includes 179 points consisting of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The map also includes an aphid resistance trait (Vat) and the sex type gene, andromonoecious (a), the two of which are important in resistance breeding and the control of hybrid seed production, as well as a seed-color gene, Wt-2. Most RFLPs represent sequence-characterized cDNA probes from C. melo and Cucumis sativus. These include resistance gene homologues and genes involved in various aspects of plant development and metabolism. A sub-set of our SSR and RFLP markers were also mapped, as part of this study, on additional mapping populations that were published for this species. This provides important reference points ("anchors"), enabling us to identify several linkage groups with respect to other melon maps.