Development of molecular marker to select resistant lines and to differentiate the races related to powdery mildew in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) commonly occurs in cultivated fields of melon (Cucumis melo L.). It inflicts a lot of damages. Therefore, breeding resistant lines is essential. Development of a resistant line by integrating resistance gene takes a long time. In addition, break down of developed resistance by generating new virulent fungus strains increases disease susceptibility. This phenomenon was related to races of powdery mildew. Therefore, it is important to develop a DNA marker to genetically analyze race-specific resistance genes of melon powdery mildew to breed resistant lines. To date, a total of 28 races of Podosphaera xanthii have been reported in the literature. In Japan, 10 races have been reported in the Ibaraki region. We developed a system to characterize the races of Podosphaera xanthii and confirmed eight out of those 10 races in the Ibaraki region. In Korea, only one race has been characterized to date. However, some different races were detected. Through genetic analysis of resistant lines and susceptible lines of powdery mildew, resistance genes of race1 (Pm-X, PXB, and Pm-R 1), race N1 (PXA), race 2 (Pm-w and Pm-R 2), race 3 (Pm-X3), and race 5 (Pm-X5 and Pm-R5) were identified in melon. These related genes of race 1, 3, N1, 5, and race 1, 2, 5 were located at linkage group II and V, respectively. In race 1, resistance gene was located in the linkage group XII. In addition, each race-specific marker related to specific resistance gene was developed. Using race information and race selection system obtained in this study, resistant line can be bred to develop resistant cultivar for several areas. Furthermore, this will make it more easily and economically to breed resistant lines by using selected markers.