Identification and confirmation of molecular markers and orange flesh color associated with major QTL for high beta-carotene content in muskmelon

Abstract

Beta-carotene presence or absence in muskmelon is controlled by two genes, green flesh gf and white flesh wf. In its dominant form the wf gene is responsible for orange flesh color; however, the epistatic interactions of gf and wf can create three flesh colors: orange, white and green. Two F2 populations, consisting of 77 greenhouse grown and 117 field grown plants, from the cross of ‘Sunrise’ (white fleshed) by ‘TAM Uvalde’ (orange fleshed), were used to examine the relationships of beta-carotene content, flesh color, and flesh color intensity. Bulk segregent analysis was used with RAPD markers to identify molecular markers associated with high beta-carotene content. Flesh color and flesh color intensity both had significant relationships with beta-carotene content. A significant correlation between total soluble solids and beta-carotene content was also found. Molecular markers were identified in both F2 populations and all significant, associated markers from ‘TAM Uvalde’ were linked with WF. A single QTL was also found to be linked with the WF locus. The identified QTL can be used to screen potential breeding lines for high beta-carotene. It was also confirmed that the visual ratings of flesh color intensity can be reliably used to select high beta-carotene content melons.