Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Generation Means Analysis of Vine Decline Resistance in Melons (Cucumis melo L.)
Sixto A. Marquez, Carlos A. Avila, Amir M.H. Ibrahim, Kevin M. Crosby, Bhimanagouda S. Patil, Kevin. M. Crosby (Corresponding Author)

Abstract
Vine decline disease (VDD) caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus, is athreat to melons (Cucumis melo L)worldwide, yet little is known about the genetic control of its resistance. Our goal was to determine the mode of inheritance and the type of gene action of the resistance found in the variety USDA PI 124104. This resistant line was crossed with the susceptible “TAM-Uvalde” variety for segregation analysis. The Parental lines, F1, F2 and backcrosses were inoculated and scored for disease severity. Generation means analysis indicated that additive and dominant effects were present in the inheritance of the VDD resistance trait. Narrow-sense heritability estimate of this trait was high. Chi-square analysis indicates that the resistance is controlled by three independent genes. Thus, selecting for resistance can be achieved using conventional phenotypic selection on visual assessments of root damage. Progress for selection for VDD resistance in early generations can be accomplished.

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