Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spanish melons (Cucumis melo L.) of the Madrid provenance: a unique germplasm reservoir

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces of the Madrid provenance, Spain, have received national distinction for their high fruit quality and sensorial attributes. More specifically, a unique array of Group Inodorus landraces have been continuously cultivated and conserved by farmers in the municipality of Villaconejos since the 19th century. Their genetic relationships to other Group Inodorus and Flexuous melon market classes is not known, and, thus, a study was designed to determine their genetic relationships using 52 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and then make genetic comparisons between these accessions and a previously published “Standard Reference Germplasm Array” (RA) containing Group Inodorus (14 Spanish and one USA), Flexuosus (1 Spanish), and Cantalupensis ( 2 USA) melon accessions. This subset consisted of 15 Spanish Group Inodorus landraces that circumscribed the genetic variation of major Spanish melon market classes (Groups Inodorus and Flexuosus), and USA commercial varieties (Groups Cantalupensis and Inodorus). Based on genetic distances, Villaconejos (Madrid) genotypes differed substantially from RA subset accessions, thus defining their genetic uniqueness. Principal component analysis (PCA) partitioned the accessions examined into four distinct groups revealing that Villaconejos black epidermis melons (landraces ‘Largo’, ‘Largo Negro Escrito’ and ‘Puchero’) were distinctly different from all other accessions examined, as cluster analysis separated Rochet market type Villaconejos’ accessions (landraces ‘Mochuelo’, ‘Mochuelo Tradicional’ and ‘Melón de Villaconejos’) from RA of the same market type. Genetic assessment of principal Spanish market classes revealed comparatively low intra-market heterogeneity in Piel de Sapo type accessions and high heterogeneity in Black and Yellow market type accessions. While a relatively high level of genetic introgression was detected between Yellow and Green market types, black epidermis market types were genetically unique. Given the uniqueness and high genetic diversity resident in Villaconejos landraces, this germplasm pool should be considered as a genetic source for broadening the comparatively narrow genetic base of Group Cantalupensis and Inodorus melon market types, especially standard commercial Spanish Group Inodorus market types (e.g., Piel de Sapo, Rochet, and Canari).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akashi Y, Fukunda N, Wako T, Masuda M, Kato K (2002) Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships in East and South Asian melons, Cucumis melo L., based on the analysis of five isozymes. Euphytica 125:385–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brickell CD et al (2009) New edition of the international code of nomenclature for cultivated plants. Int Soc Hortic Sci Scripta Horticulturae 10:1–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger Y, Paris HS, Cohen R, Katzir N, Tadmor Y, Lewisnohn E, Schaffer A (2010) Diversity of Cucumis melo. Hortic Rev 36:165–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiba N, Suwabe K, Nunome T, Hirai M (2003) Development of microsatellite markers in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and their application to major cucurbit crops. Breed Sci 53:21–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cowling WA, Buirchell BJ, Falk DE (2009) A model for incorporating novel alleles from the primary gene pool into elite crop breeding programs while reselecting major genes for domestication or adaptation. Crop Pasture Sci 60:1009–1015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuevas HE, Staub JE, Simon PW, Zalapa JE, McCreight JD (2008) Mapping of genetic loci that regulate quantity of beta-carotene in fruit of US Western Shipping melon (Cucumis melo L.). Theor Appl Genet 117:1345–1359

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danin-Poleg Y, Reis N, Baudracco Arnas S, Pitrat M, Staub JE, Oliver M, Arus P, de Vicente CM, Katzir N (2000) Simple sequence repeats in Cucumis mapping and map merging. Genome 43:963–974

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danin-Poleg Y, Reis N, Tzuri G, Katzir N (2001) Development and characterization of microsatellite in Cucumis. Theor Appl Genet 102:61–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eduardo I, Arus P, Monforte AJ, Fernández-Trujillo JP, Obando J, Martínez JA, Alarcón A, Alvarez JM, van der Knaap E (2007) Estimating the genetic architecture of fruit quality traits in melon using a genomic library of near isogenic lines. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 132(1):80–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Escribano S, Lázaro A (2009) Agromorphological diversity of Spanish traditional melons (Cucumis melo L.) of the Madrid provenance. Genet Resour Crop Evol 56:481–497. doi:10.1007/s10722-008-9380-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escribano S, Sánchez FJ, Lázaro A (2010) Establishment of a sensory characterization protocol for melon (Cucumis melo L.) and its correlation with physical–chemical attributes: indications for future genetic improvements. Eur Food Res Technol 231:611–621. doi:10.1007/s00217-010-1313-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Esquinas-Alcázar JT (1977) Alloenzyme variation and relationships in the genus Cucumis. PhD Diss., University of California, Davis

  • FAO Stat Database (2008) http://www.fao.org/corp/statistics/es/

  • Fazio G, Staub JE, Chung SM (2002) Development and characterization of PCR markers in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). J Am Soc Hortic Sci 127:545–557

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fukino N, Sakata Y, Kunihisa M, Matsumoto S (2007) Characterization of novel simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for melon (Cucumis melo L.) and their use for genotype identification. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 82:330–334

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fukino N, Ohara T, Monforte A, Sugiyama M, Sakata Y, Kunihisa M, Matsumoto S (2008) Identification of QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew and SSR markers diagnostic fro powdery mildew resistance genes in melon (Cucumis melo L.). Theor Appl Genet 118:165–175

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García E, Jamilena M, Alvarez JI, Arnedo T, Oliver JL, Lozano R (1998) Genetic relationships among melon breeding lines revealed by RAPD markers and agronomic traits. Theor Appl Genet 96:878–885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Guillamón ML, Abadía J, Cuartero J, Cortés C, Nuez F (1985) Characterization of melon cultivars. Cucurbit Genet Coop RP 8:39–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Guillamón ML, Sánchez F, Fernández-Muñoz R (1998) Caracterización de cultivares de melón. Actas de las Jornadas de Selección y Mejora de Plantas Hortícolas, Córdoba

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalo MJ, Oliver M, García-Mas J, Monforte A, Dolcet-Sanjuan R, Katzir N, Arús P, Monforte AJ (2005) Development of a consensus map of melon (Cucumis melo L.) based on high quality markers (RFLPs and SSRs) using F2 and double-haploid line populations. Theor Appl Genet 110:802–811

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greuter W, McNeill J, Barrie FR, Burdet HM, Demoulin V, Figueiras TS, Nicolson DH, Silva PC, Skog JE, Trehane P, Turland NJ, Hawksworth DL (2000) International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Saint Louis Code). Koeltz Scientific Books, D-61453 Königstein, Germany

  • Harlan JR (1971) Agricultural origins: centers and noncenters. Science 174:468–474

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harlan JR (1995) The living fields: our agricultural heritage. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard P (1908) Nouvelles recherches sur la distribution florale. Bull Soc Vaud Sci Nat 44:223–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey C (1980) A review of the Cucurbitaceae. Bot J Linn Soc 81:233–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey C (2001) In: Hanelt P, Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (eds) Mansfeld′s encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops, vol 3, pp 1512–1519

  • Katzir N, Danin-Poleg T, Tzuri G, Karchi Z, Lavi U, Cregan PB (1996) Lenght polymorphism and homologues of microsatellites in several Cucurbitaceae species. Theor Appl Genet 93:1282–1290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkbride JH (1993) Biosystematic monograph of genus Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae). Parkway Publishers, North Carolina

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong Q, Xiang C, Yu Z (2006) Development of EST-SSR in Cucumis sativus from sequence database. Mol Ecol Notes 6:1234–1236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong Q, Xiang C, Yu Z, Zhang Z, Liu F, Peng C, Peng X (2007) Mining and characterizing microsatellites in Cucumis melo expressed sequence tags from sequence database. Mol Ecol Notes 7:281–283

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Labajos L, Laca LR (2007) Los Martín De Fuentidueña, Jardineros y Arbolistas del Buen Retiro: El Tratado de Agricultura de Jardines y El Tratado de Agricultura de Hortaliza de Cosme Martín De Fuentidueña. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Laghetti G, Accogli R, Hammer K (2008) Different cucumber melon (Cucumis melo L.) races cultivated in Salento (Italy). Genet Resour Crop Evol 55:619–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewontin RC (1974) The genetic basis of evolutionary change. Columbia University Press, New York and London

    Google Scholar 

  • López-Sesé AI, Staub JE, Katzir N, Gómez-Guillamón ML (2002) Estimation of between and within accessions variation in selected Spanish melon germplasm using RAPD and SSR markers to assess strategies for large collection evaluation. Euphytica 127:41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López-Sesé AI, Staub JE, Gómez-Guillamón ML (2003) Genetic analysis of Spanish melon (Cucumis melo L.) germplasm using a standardized molecular-marker array and geographically diverse reference accessions. Theor Appl Genet 108:41–52

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MARM (2007) http://www.mapa.es/estadistica/pags/anuario/2007/metodologia/ Anuario_2007.pdf

  • McCreight JD, Nerson H, Grumet R (1993) Melon, Cucumis melo L. In: Kallos G, Bergh BO (eds) Genetic improvement of vegetable crops. Pergamon Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mliki A, Staub JE, Zhangyong S, Ghorbel A (2001) Genetic diversity in melon (Cucumis melo L.): an evaluation of African germplasm. Genet Res Crop Evol 48:587–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molina RV, Cuartero J, Gómez-Guillamón ML, Abadía J, Nuez F (1986) Variabilidad inter- e intracultivar en melón. Actas del II Congreso Nacional de la SECH, Córdoba, pp 1293–1300

    Google Scholar 

  • Monforte AJ, García-Mas J, Arús P (2003) Genetic variability in melon based on microsatellite variation. Plant Breed 122:153–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munger HM, Robinson RW (1991) Nomenclature of Cucumis melo L. Cucurbit Genet Coop Rpt 14:43–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakata E, Staub JE, López-Sesé AI, Katzir N (2005) Genetic diversity of Japanese melon cultivars (Cucumis melo L.) as assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA and simple sequence repeat markers. Genet Res Crop Evol 52:405–419

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naudin C (1859) Review des cucurbitacées cultivées on Museum. Ann Sci Natl Ser 4 Bot 12:79–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Nei M (1973) Analysis of gene diversity in subdivided populations. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 70:3321–3323

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nuez F, Anastasio G, Cortés C, Cuartero J, Gómez-Guillamón ML, Costa J (1986) Germplasm resources of Cucumis melo L from Spain. Cucurbit Genet Coop Rpt 9:60–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuez F, Ferrando C, Díez MJ, Costa J, Catalá MS, Cuartero J, Gómez-Guillamón ML (1988) Collecting Cucumis melo L. in Spain. Cucurbit Genet Coop Rpt 11:54–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuez F, Prohens J, Díez MJ, Fernández de Córdova P (1994) Cucumis melo L. accessions of the gene bank of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Cucubit Genet Coop Rpt 17:57–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens KW, Peterson CE, Tolla GE (1980) Production of hermaphrodite flowers on gynoecious muskmelon by silver nitrate and aminoethoxyvinylglycine. HortSci 15:654–655

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perin C, Hagen LS, de Conto V, Katzir N, Danin-Poleg Y, Portnoy V, Baudracco-Arnas S, Chadoeuf J, Dogimont C, Pitrat M (2002) A reference map of Cucumis melo based on two recombinant inbred line populations. Theor Appl Genet 104:1017–1034

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson CE, Owens KW, Rowe PR (1983) Wisconsin 998 muskmelon germplasm. HortSci 18:116

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitrat M, Hanelt P, Hammer K (2000) Some comments on infraspecic classification of cultivars of melon. Acta Hortic 510:29–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritchel PS, de Lima-Lins TC, Lourenco-Tristan R, Cortopasi-Buso GS, Buso JA, Ferreiram ME (2004) Development of microsatellite marker from an enriched genomic library for genetic analysis of melon (Cucumis melo L.). BMC Plant Biol 4. http://www.Biomedcentral.com/I471-2229/4/9

  • Rohlf FJ (1997) NTSYS-pc. Numerical taxonomy and multivariate analysis system. Version 1.8. Exeter Software, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz A, Escalona E (2002) Villaconejos: vida y costumbres de un pueblo. A. Madrid; Vicente Ediciones, Madrid, Spain

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon CE, Weaver W (1949) The mathematical theory of communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana

    Google Scholar 

  • Spooner DM, Tivang J, Nienhuis J, Miller JT, Douches DS, Contreras M (1996) Comparison of four molecular markers in measuring relationships among wild potato relatives Solanum section Etuberosum (subgenus Potatoe). Theor Appl Genet 92:532–540

  • Staub JE (1999) Intellectual property rights, genetic markers and hybrid seed production. J New Seeds 1:39–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staub JE, Serquen F, Gupta M (1996) Genetic markers, map construction and their application in plant breeding. HortScience 31:729–741

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staub JE, Box J, Meglic V, Horejsi TF, McCreight JD (1997) Comparison of isozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA data for determining intraspecific variation in Cucumis. Genet Resour Crop Evol 44:257–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staub JE, Danin-Poleg Y, Fazio G, Horejsi T, Reis N, Katzir N (2000) Comparison analysis of cultivated melon groups (Cucumis melo L.) using random amplified polymorphic DNA and simple sequence repeat markers. Euphytica 115:225–241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staub JE, López-Sesé AI, Fanourakis N (2004) Diversity among melon landraces (Cucumis melo L.) from Greece and their genetic relationships with other melon germplasm of diverse origins. Euphytica 136:151–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stepansky A, Kovalski I, Perl-Treves R (1999) Intraespecific classification of melons (Cucumis melo L.) in view of their phenotypic and molecular variation. Plant Syst Evol 217:313–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeh FC, Yang RC, Boiley T, Ye ZH, Mao JX (1997) Popgene, the user-friendly shareware for population genetic analysis. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center. University of Alberta, Canada

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been possible thanks to the use of material, installations and technical support from the Horticulture Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Vegetable Crops Research Unit. Also to the financial support from European regional development fund (ERDF) & INIA (Spanish Institute for Agro food Research) project RTA2006-00083-00-00. Thanks to the Horticulture Department of the University of Wisconsin for the “Top Mark” and “WI-998” seeds, to Harris Moran Seeds for the “Green Flesh Honeydew” seeds and to the Experimental Station ‘La Mayora’ (CSIC) for the Spanish reference accessions. We would like also to thank Linda Crubaugh, for her technical support, Tusar K Behera for the DNA extractions support and Isabelle Delannay for the statistical interpretation and assistance.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Jack E. Staub

    Present address: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, 696 N. 1100 E, Logan, UT, 84322, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IMIDRA (Madrilean Research Institute for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food), Autovía A-II, Km 38,200, Alcalá de Henares, 28800, Madrid, Spain

    Sandra Escribano & Almudena Lázaro

  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Department of Horticulture, U.S. University of Wisconsin, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Hugo E. Cuevas & Jack E. Staub

  3. Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea “La Mayora”, Universidad de Málaga-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), Estación Experimental “La Mayora”, 29760, Algarrobo-Costa, Málaga, Spain

    Ana I. López-Sesé

Authors
  1. Sandra Escribano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Almudena Lázaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hugo E. Cuevas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ana I. López-Sesé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jack E. Staub
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Almudena Lázaro.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Escribano, S., Lázaro, A., Cuevas, H.E. et al. Spanish melons (Cucumis melo L.) of the Madrid provenance: a unique germplasm reservoir. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59, 359–373 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-011-9687-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-011-9687-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation