MELRIP

Projektbeschreibung

 The main objective of MELRIP is to shed light on the molecular processes involved in fruit ripening in melon. Melon is unusual among plant species in having both climacteric and non-climacteric fruit ripening genotypes - differentiated by the presence or absence of a peak in respiration and ethylene production. Charentais, Galia and American Cantaloupe melon types show climacteric fruit ripening, whereas the inodorus melon types (e.g. Piel de sapo) behave as non-climacteric fruits. Developing fruits from each type will be analysed by transcript, enzyme and metabolite profiling to dissect the mechanisms underlying fruit ripening, and to identify potentially important genes in the ripening process. The 200+ varieties in the French and Spanish melon genotype collections, together with an EMS-mutagenised population, will be screened by EcoTILLING and TILLING to identify polymorphisms in these ripening-related genes. This will then allow the genes to be mapped, and tested for co-segregation with known quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fruit quality characteristics, such as colour, flavour, odour and shelf-life. Cosegregating genes will be used to design novel genetic markers for selection of new lines in commercial breeding programs. The eventual outcome will be new melon varieties with improved fruit quality and longer shelf-life, which will be attractive for both consumers and growers.

Partner

Jordi Garcia-Mas (coordinator), Antonio Montforte
Laboratori de Genètica Molecular Vegetal
CSIC-IRTA
Cabrils
Spain

Fernando Nuez, Maria Belén Picó
COMAV-UPV
Valencia
Spain

Torben Jahrmann, Laia Fitó
Semillas Fitó SA
Barcelona
Spain

Abdel Bendahmane, Adnane Boualem
URGV-INRA
Evry
France

Michel Pitrat
INRA-GAFL
Montfavet
France

Danièle Hosemans, Frank de Langen
Vilmorin Clause & Cie
Beaucouzé
France

John Lunn, Björn Usadel, Mark Stitt
MPI für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie
Potsdam-Golm
Germany