Whole-genome sequencing and phenotyping of neglected and underutilized vegetable melons from the Salento diversity centre (Southern Italy).

ABSTRACT: The species Cucumis melo L. includes two neglected and underutilized vegetable crops, cucumber melon (C. melo subsp. melo var. chate) and snake melon (C. melo subsp. melo var. flexuosus). In particular, cucumber melon was highly popular in Mediterranean civilizations during Antiquity and the Middle Ages, whereas today its cultivation is mostly confined to the Salento area of southern Italy. Here, we describe the collection and characterization of thirteen cucumber melon and two snake melon populations from Salento. Whole-genome resequencing of DNA pools was performed to investigate genetic diversity within and among populations. The cucumber melon population UBGCMC111, most widely cultivated and marketed, exhibited the lowest heterozygosity,

SUBMITTER: Guerriero M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12401921 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature