The Chromosome-Scale Genome of Melon Dissects Genetic Architecture of Important Agronomic Traits

Comparative and evolutionary genomics analyses are the powerful tools to provide mechanistic insights into important agronomic traits. Here, we completed a chromosome-scale assembly of the "neglected" but vital melon subspecies Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis using single-molecule real-time sequencing, Hi-C, and an ultra-dense genetic map. Comparative genomics analyses identified two targeted genes, UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase and α-galactosidase, that were selected during evolution for specific phloem transport of oligosaccharides in Cucurbitaceae. Association analysis of transcriptome and the DNA methylation patterns revealed the epigenetic regulation of sucrose accumulation in developing fruits. We constructed the melon recombinant inbred lines to uncover Alkaline/Neutral Invertase (CINV), Sucrose-Phosphatase 2 (SPP2), α-galactosidase, and β-galactosidase loci related to sucrose accumulation and an LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase associated with gummy stem blight resistance. This study provides essential genomic resources enabling functional genomics studies and the genomics-informed breeding pipelines for improving the fruit quality and disease resistance traits.

Keywords: Biological Sciences; Genomics; Plant Biology.