Biotechnological Approaches of Watermelon to Meet the Future Challenges for Next Decades

Abstract

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] is widely produced and consumed around the world as fleshy fruits. According to consumer and grower preferences, and market conditions (i.e. seedless varieties, good shelf life, etc.), many different cultivars are grown. The largest producer of watermelon in the world is China, is accounted for over 50% production by weight. Increasing in the production of melons is required for a growing population over the next decades. The production of total watermelons approximately doubled in 2009 from 2005 and currently it stabled. For consequences of climate alterations, declining agricultural land and water resources, and assailing microbes and pests, the demands of watermelon fruits are worsen. The watermelons production can be reached at an efficient level with cultivation of elite varieties such as, drought tolerance, disease resistant, high yield, which will be pivotal to success. It is important to improve of watermelon with the traits such as, seedless, good shelf life, excellent flesh color and good shapes that will make them more attractive to consumers. In order to generate elite varieties in watermelon, plant breeding with respect to conventional or molecular breeding methods must be reoriented to meet the global demand for next decades. Reports in here reveal some advanced work related to biotechnology that pivotal for enhancement of watermelon production.

Study on Diversity of Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) by Molecular Marker in the Special Region of Yogyakarta

“…According to Hartati, Rimbawanto, Taryono, Sulistyaningsih, & Widyatmoko (2007), RAPD primers amplify DNA in the coding and non-coding regions. Fruit shape character was controlled by one gene and partially dominant producing elliptical, oval and round fruit (Sultana & Rahman, 2013). Alternative to reduce the disadvantages of RAPD is by expanding the number of primers used to amplify most of the genome samples.…”