Genetic engineering of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

Melon is an important fruit in the Japanese food market. Accordingly, to be a leading variety in Japan, the fruit must meet demands from growers, markets, and consumers. Melon breeders have made great efforts to incorporate such demands into breeding programs. We have developed methods for improving two important traits, shelf-life and fruit size, by genetic engineering. First, we isolated and characterized genes related to these characteristics and subsequently used the genes to develop methods for altering shelf-life and fruit size. We isolated two ethylene receptor genes, Cm-ERS1 and Cm-ETR1, which we expected to be related to shelf-life, and developed methods for altering the ethylene sensitivity of the plants. We also isolated a gene encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, Cm-HMGR, which we expected to be related to fruit enlargement, and developed methods for altering fruit size. These two methods will provide basic technologies for the molecular breeding of melon.