Genetic Diversity in the Desert Watermelon Citrullus colocynthis and its Relationship with Citrullus Species as Determined by High-frequency Oligonucleotides-targeting Active Gene Markers

Citrullus colocynthis (CC) is a viable source of genes for enhancing disease and pest resistance in common cultivated watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (CLL)] cultivars. However, there is little information about genetic diversity within CC or the relationship of CC accessions to C. lanatus. In this study, we examined genetic diversity and relationships among 29 CC accessions collected in northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and their relationships to 3 accessions and 3 cultivars of CLL, 12 accessions of citron melon [C. lanatus ssp. lanatus var. citroides (CLC)], and 1 accession representing the desert perennial Citrullus ecirrhosus (CE). Twenty-three high-frequency oligonucleotides-targeting active gene (HFO-TAG) primers were used to produce a total of 431 polymorphic fragments that target coding regions of the genome. Cluster and multidimensional scaling plot analysis, separated the CC into five groups, in general agreement with their geographic origins. CC genotypes admixed with CLL and CLC also were identified. Major reproductive barriers resulted in significantly reduced fertility in CC x CLL hybridizations. However, several of the U. S. PIs of CC were successfully crossed with watermelon cultivars using traditional breeding procedures, and the seeds produced from these crosses were viable. This suggests that CC can be a viable source to introduce biotic and abiotic stress resistance genes into cultivated watermelon.