Characterization of a RIL population for the development of new melon cultivars resistant to races 1, 2 and 5 of Podosphaera xanthii from accession PMR6, and initiation of QTL mapping

Genetic diversity of melon in Turkey is very high. A common pathogen in Turkey is powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii race 5), which restricts melon cultivation. The chemicals used against the pathogen causes negative effects on environment and human health and additionally increase expenses. One of the best solutions to fight against the disease is improving resistant cultivars. However, there are no national melon cultivars resistant to powdery mildew. All these problems can be solved by using molecular markers in a disease breeding program. QTL mapping will be used to map quantitative trait locus (QTL) that control resistance of powdery mildew race Pm-5 by using a RIL population obtained from TKÜ3 (susceptible ♀) and PMR-6 (resistance ♂) hybridization. For the mapping study, SRAP, SSR, ISSR, TRAP, CAPS, SCAR molecular markers will be used to QTL mapping. The aim is to obtain molecular markers tightly linked to the gene. Additionally, the results of this project will provide significant information for future works. The new resistant hybrid cultivar from this population, in which one of the parents is a Turkish melon landrace, will be developed.