WO2006014463A2 - Pasteque aux qualites ameliorees - Google Patents

Pasteque aux qualites ameliorees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006014463A2
WO2006014463A2 PCT/US2005/023902 US2005023902W WO2006014463A2 WO 2006014463 A2 WO2006014463 A2 WO 2006014463A2 US 2005023902 W US2005023902 W US 2005023902W WO 2006014463 A2 WO2006014463 A2 WO 2006014463A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
watermelon
plant
flesh
fruit
ultra
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PCT/US2005/023902
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English (en)
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WO2006014463A3 (fr
Inventor
Greg Tolla
Benito Juarez
Fred Mccuistion
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Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc.
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Priority claimed from US10/972,190 external-priority patent/US9173356B2/en
Application filed by Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. filed Critical Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc.
Priority to EP05764293A priority Critical patent/EP1765059A4/fr
Priority to MX2011005040A priority patent/MX343766B/es
Priority to MX2007000333A priority patent/MX2007000333A/es
Priority to CN2005800295755A priority patent/CN101247717B/zh
Publication of WO2006014463A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006014463A2/fr
Priority to IL180275A priority patent/IL180275A0/en
Priority to IL180468A priority patent/IL180468A/en
Publication of WO2006014463A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006014463A3/fr

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H6/00—Angiosperms, i.e. flowering plants, characterised by their botanic taxonomy
    • A01H6/34—Cucurbitaceae, e.g. bitter melon, cucumber or watermelon 
    • A01H6/342—Citrullus lanatus [watermelon]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H1/00—Processes for modifying genotypes ; Plants characterised by associated natural traits
    • A01H1/02—Methods or apparatus for hybridisation; Artificial pollination ; Fertility
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H1/00—Processes for modifying genotypes ; Plants characterised by associated natural traits
    • A01H1/04—Processes of selection involving genotypic or phenotypic markers; Methods of using phenotypic markers for selection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H5/00—Angiosperms, i.e. flowering plants, characterised by their plant parts; Angiosperms characterised otherwise than by their botanic taxonomy
    • A01H5/08—Fruits
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H6/00—Angiosperms, i.e. flowering plants, characterised by their botanic taxonomy
    • A01H6/34—Cucurbitaceae, e.g. bitter melon, cucumber or watermelon 
    • A01H6/344—Cucumis melo [melon]

Definitions

  • the field of the present invention is watermelon breeding and the genetic improvement of watermelon. More specifically, this application is related to diploid, tetraploid and triploid watermelon seeds and plants for the production of watermelon fruit that (i) have ultra firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh and (ii) are sweet at maturity. Description of Related Art
  • Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an important commercial member of the Cucurbitaceae family that includes many different varieties.
  • the fruit of these varieties differ in coloring, sweetness, and other traits.
  • watermelon fruit of different varieties display a wide range of coloring on the outside rind.
  • color in the edible tissue varies from different shades of red to yellow.
  • Watermelon fruit also vary in sweetness, which can be estimated by measuring total soluble solids, or brix, using a refractometer. Because sweetness is especially important to consumers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set fruit quality standards based on brix levels (United States Standards for Grades of Watermelon, U. S. Department of Agriculture (1978)). According to these standards, edible parts of the fruit having not less than 8 brix are deemed to be "Good", while edible parts of the fruit having not less than 10 brix are deemed to be "Very Good.”
  • cut fruit displays are that the consumer can visually inspect the quality of the fruit and, in particular, judge whether the fruit is mature and, thus, ready to consume. Often, immature fruits will not be uniform in pigmentation, and overripe fruit will display signs of decay. Moreover, these products offer convenience to the consumer.
  • Rogers Seed Company advertises the Tri-X Brand 626 as "exceptionally firm” and the Tri-X Brand 313 as having "firm texture” and “crispness.”
  • Roberts et al. 2004 Report from: Watermelon Research and Development Working Group. 24 th Annual Meeting, Tulsa, OK
  • measured flesh firmness in a wide range of germplasm using a penetrometer to measure the amount of force resisted. The data were reported in Newtons, an International System of Measurements term.
  • One of the lines analyzed is Rogers Seed Company line Tri-X Brand 313. As noted above, Rogers Seed Company advertises this line as having "firm" flesh. Roberts et al. measured the flesh firmness in Tri-X Brand 313 as 10.84 Newtons, which converts to approximately 2.4 lbf. Applicants also tested the flesh firmness of Tri-X Brand 313, using a penetrometer from QA Supplies in Norfolk, Virginia (Model FTO 11) with a probe diameter of 8 mm.
  • Tri-X Brand 313 has a flesh firmness reading of 1.4 lbf (Table 1). Because Roberts does not report the size of the penetrometer probe used, Applicants cannot directly compare their data to Roberts'. At least for Tri-X Brand 313, the approximately 77% higher reading measured by Roberts et al. compared with the protocol described herein may be the result of different methodology, and, in particular, the use of differently sized penetrometer probes. Although the Applicants of this invention use an 8 mm probe, another commonly used penetrometer has a diameter of 11 mm, which would account for the different readings, as penetrometer area is approximately 73% higher for an 11 mm probe as compared to an 8 mm probe.
  • the present invention addresses the need in the marketplace for watermelon lines that produce fruits that have a longer shelf life when processed.
  • the watermelon of this invention have (i) ultra firm flesh, which avoids the problem of cut fruit becoming overly soft, and/or (ii) liquid-retaining flesh, which delays deterioration of cut fruit by liquid leakage.
  • these fruits have quality characteristics desired by the consumer, such as sweetness and attractiveness, and offer the retailer both flexibility as to where fruit processing occurs and additional shelf life once fruit is processed.
  • This invention relates to unique watermelon inbred lines and hybrid varieties that produce fruit having ultra firm edible flesh at maturity that resists at least 3.0 Pounds force (lbf) (measurement techniques defined herein).
  • these fruits meet market requirements for sweetness, having not less than 6 brix for the edible tissue (measurement techniques defined herein).
  • Watermelons of this invention are preferably diploid and tetraploid inbred lines that produce sweet tasting ultra firm flesh at maturity that resists at least 3.5 lbf, though lines that produce sweet tasting ultra firm flesh at maturity that resists at least 4, 5, 6 and even 8 lbf are also contemplated by this invention.
  • a plurality of watermelon plants grown in a field are also provided by the invention.
  • any diploid or tetraploid inbred line having ultra firm flesh created from the teachings of this invention can transmit this ultra firm flesh phenotype to a hybrid.
  • the watermelons of the present invention are capable of developing uniformly pigmented fruit flesh (red, yellow, or orange).
  • fruits from these inbred lines and hybrids will meet or exceed industry standards for sweetness, being at least good (not less than about 8 brix) and preferably very good (not less than about 10 brix).
  • the invention also provides a method for producing hybrid watermelon seed comprising crossing an inbred watermelon plant with a second watermelon plant and harvesting resultant hybrid watermelon seed, as well as a hybrid watermelon plant produced by growing the resultant hybrid watermelon seed.
  • the invention further provides a method for producing the ultra firm watermelon plant comprising the steps of crossing a watermelon variety having a level of sweetness that at least meets industry standards with a low sweetness watermelon variety having ultra firm flesh; performing at least one backcross with the variety having a level of
  • the method may utilize as a watermelon having ultra firm flesh the watermelon plant of USDA Collection No. PI296341.
  • Watermelon fruit and watermelon flesh derived from the ultra-firm watermelon are also contemplated.
  • Preferred are watermelon plants producing a fruit weighing at least about 1.5 kg, more preferably producing a fruit weighing at least about 3.0 kg.
  • the watermelon plant produces a fruit weighing at least about 4.5 kg, and in a still further preferred embodiment the plant produces a fruit weighing at least about 6.0 kg.
  • the invention also provides a watermelon plant having the soluble solids and flesh firmness traits of a plant produced from seed deposited as Accession No. NCIMB 41230, made on July 1, 2004, as well as seed, pollen, ovule and other vegetative tissue derived from the plant, or a watermelon plant regenerated from such tissue.
  • the invention also provides a watermelon plant with liquid-retaining flesh.
  • this liquid-retaining trait corresponds to the amount of weight that cut watermelon fruit flesh loses over time.
  • Preferred are watermelon plants wherein cut flesh from the watermelon fruit loses less than about three and one-half percent of its weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade. More preferred are such watermelon plants where the cut flesh loses less than about three percent weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade.
  • a still further preferred watermelon plant is provided where the cut flesh loses less than about two percent weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade.
  • the watermelon plant has cut flesh that loses less than about one and one-half percent weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade. This liquid-retaining trait extends the shelf life of processed watermelon fruit.
  • a preferred embodiment is a good ultra firm flesh watermelon diploid inbred line that produces sweet tasting mature fruit.
  • Another preferred embodiment is a triploid hybrid, created using as at least one parental line that is either an ultra firm flesh diploid inbred line or an ultra firm flesh tetraploid inbred line that produces good standard sweet tasting mature fruit with ultra firm flesh.
  • the mature watermelon fruit produced in the diploid, tetraploid, or triploid plants of this invention develop full red flesh color and are sweet tasting, with good brix levels.
  • mature watermelon fruits of this invention develop full yellow flesh color and good sweetness in combination with ultra firm flesh.
  • the mature watermelon fruits of this invention develop full orange color and good sweetness in combination with ultra firm flesh.
  • the watermelon flesh from fruits of this invention stays ultra firm after being minimally processed (fresh cut fruit). This ultra firm feature extends the shelf life of the processed fruit.
  • the present invention also relates to a novel method of producing diploid and tetraploid watermelon lines and triploid watermelon hybrids that produce sweet tasting mature fruit with ultra firm flesh (resists pressure of at least 4.0 lbf; not less than 8 brix).
  • One step in this method involves crossing a known watermelon variety or line with a watermelon line of this invention having ultra firm flesh at maturity.
  • the product of such cross is then self-pollinated to create a segregating population.
  • individuals from populations segregating for the ultra firm flesh trait are subjected to successive cycles of selection and breeding and the end result is a new watermelon line that produces sweet tasting mature fruit having ultra firm flesh.
  • Figure 1 is a histogram that illustrates fruit flesh firmness of the third generation of self-pollinated inbred watermelon plants of the present invention.
  • the arrow indicates the average mature fruit firmness of the recurrent parent lines.
  • the shaded portion of the histogram shows that 43% of these fruits have firmness readings at or above 4 lbf.
  • Figure 2 is a graph showing weight loss after storage at 4° centigrade among processed fruit of standard commercial watermelon varieties and processed fruit of watermelon of the present invention. The weight loss closely approximates liquid leakage from the processed fruit.
  • the present invention provides a watermelon plant that produces fruit with (i) ultra firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh and (ii) sweetness of at least 6 brix. Therefore, the fruit of this invention have improved processing qualities, as, once cut, the
  • plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissue culture from which watermelon plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants such as pollen, flowers, seed, leaves, stems and the like.
  • diploid plants means plants or transplants derived from planting diploid seeds or from micropropagation that have two sets of chromosomes in the somatic cells, or twice the haploid number.
  • Triploid plants refers to plants or transplants derived from planting rriploid seeds or from micropropagation that have three sets of chromosomes in the somatic cells, or three times the haploid number.
  • Tetraploid plants are plants or transplants derived from planting tetraploid seeds or from micropropagation that have four sets of chromosomes in the somatic cells, or four times the haploid number.
  • the term "firm flesh” refers to the edible flesh of a watermelon for which fruit firmness, as measured using a penetrometer by the methods described in Example 2, is greater than about 1.5 lbf of pressure but less than or equal to about 2.0 lbf. Botanically, the edible flesh of a watermelon fruit is placental tissue.
  • ultra firm flesh refers to the edible flesh of a watermelon with fruit firmness, as measured using a penetrometer by the methods described in Example 2, measuring not less than 3.0 lbf of pressure, or with higher firmness than fruit produced by standard known cultivars. Ultra-firm flesh watermelon preferably has fruit firmness of about 3.5 lbf.
  • very firm flesh refers to the edible flesh of a watermelon with firmness, as measured using a penetrometer by the methods described in Example 2, greater than about 2.0 pound force of pressure but less than 3.0.
  • liquid-retaining flesh refers to edible flesh of a watermelon which, once cut, loses less than about four percent of its weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade, or retains more liquid, over time, than fruit produced by standard known cultivars.
  • a "penetrometer” is a device designed to measure force and is used herein to measure fruit firmness. It provides a quick, easy and accurate method to determine fruit flesh and skin firmness. Applicants gathered the data reported herein using a hand-held penetrometer to obtain three to five pressure readings on mature fruit. Specifically, Applicants used Penetrometer model FTOl 1 (QA Supplies, Norfolk, VA) with an 8 millimeter, or approximately 5/16 inch, probe.
  • rind pattern Coloration of the rind in watermelons, also referred to as "rind pattern" can vary from light green, often termed gray, to medium green, to very dark green, appearing to be almost black.
  • the rind may have stripes of various designs which are typical of a variety or type. Therefore, the terms “tiger stripe”, “mottle stripe”, “dark mottle stripe”, and the like, are used to identify various patterns.
  • L/W ratio length to width ratio
  • population refers to genetically heterogeneous collection of plants sharing a common parental derivation.
  • the term "variety” or “cultivar” refers to a group of similar plants that, by their genetic pedigrees and performance, can be identified from other varieties within the same species.
  • Backcrossing refers to the process in which a breeder crosses a plant with one of its parent lines.
  • Recurrent backcrossing is a breeding strategy designed to recover the genetic composition of a line by crossing a plant in succession back to one of the parent lines.
  • soluble solids refers to the percent of solid material found in edible fruit. As used herein, soluble solids are measured quantitatively with a refractometer as percentage brix. Refractometers often include a sucrose scale, as brix is formally defined
  • sucrose scale should give the actual percentage sucrose. However, if other soluble solids are present, as is almost always the case, the reading is not equal to the percentage sucrose, but approximates the overall percentage soluble solids in the sample.
  • brix is technically defined as weight percent sucrose, those of skill in the art recognize that weight percent soluble solids, as obtained with a refractometer, approximates weight percent sucrose and accurately indicates sweetness. Therefore, the higher the percentage soluble solids, as indicated by brix level, the higher the perceived sweetness of the fruit.
  • “Sweetness”, as used herein, may be measured quantitatively, as described above, using a refractometer, or qualitatively, by taste.
  • a “quantitative trait loci”, or “QTL” is a chromosomal location that encodes for alleles that affect the expressivity of a continuously distributed phenotype.
  • “Maturity” refers to maturity of fruit development and indicates the optimal time for harvest. Generally, growers of skill in the art harvest fruit at or substantially near its maximum sweetness and flavor intensity. In watermelon, the maturity comes associated with changes in rind appearance, flesh color and sugar content.
  • homozygous and homozygosity are genetic terms. When identical alleles reside at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes, that locus is called homozygous. Homozygosity typically refers to the degree to which a population is fixed at one or more loci.
  • a "hybrid” is an offspring of a cross between two genetically unlike individuals.
  • an "inbred” or “inbred line” is a substantially homozygous individual or variety.
  • Watermelon fruit size and shape, rind color, thickness and toughness, seed size, color and number, flesh color, texture, sugar content and freedom from fruit defects are all important characteristics to be considered in selection of watermelon varieties.
  • Commercial seed companies typically offer the grower an opportunity to observe these characteristics in demonstration plots of their varieties, and some agricultural universities perform cultivar analysis data for the local growers (Roberts (2004), Maynard and Sidoti (2003), Schultheis and Thompson (2004) and Leskovar et al. (2004)).
  • Watermelon crops can be established from seed or from transplants. Transplanting is becoming more common because transplanting can result in an earlier crop compared with a crop produced from direct seeding. When a grower wants to raise a seedless fruited crop, transplanting is preferred. Transplanting helps achieve complete plant stands rapidly, especially where higher seed costs, as with triploid seeds, make direct-seeding risky.
  • Watermelon is the only economically important cucurbit with pinnatif ⁇ d (lobed) leaves; all of the other species have whole (nonlobed) leaves. Watermelon growth habit is a trailing vine. The stems are thin, hairy, angular, grooved, and have branched tendrils at each node. The stems are highly branched and up to 30 feet long (Wehner et al. In: Watermelons: Characteristics, Production and Marketing. Maynard, editor. ASHS Press, Alexandria VA 2001).
  • Applicants were also able to determine the firmness of various fruit simply by eating them. Indeed, this was how applicants first determined that the watermelons of this invention have ultra firm flesh compared to prior art watermelons. In taste tests, Applicants also determined that standard cultivars of the prior art, such as Seminis' diploid Royal Star line, have firm flesh, while the following lines have firm to very firm flesh: Tri-X Brand 626 (Syngenta/Rogers - triploid), Extazy (Hazera - triploid) and Solitaire (Golden Valley - triploid).
  • Tri-X Brand 626 Syngenta/Rogers - triploid
  • Extazy Hazera - triploid
  • Solitaire Golden Valley - triploid
  • Another important fruit characteristic is quality, which includes sweetness and attractiveness of fruit and rind color.
  • Wehner et al. ((2001) in: Watermelons: Characteristics, production and marketing. Maynard, editor. ASHS Press. Alexandria, VA) describe these characteristics. Among the most important of these characteristics is sweetness, without a bitter taste, which is measured by brix and by taste.
  • Taste panel data demonstrated a direct correlation of good flavor scores with higher brix levels (Nip et al. (1968) Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 93:547). Brix levels increase as the fruit develops and ripens on the vine.
  • the flesh of watermelon plant fruits of the present invention is firmer and retains liquid better than the fruit flesh of watermelon cultivars of the prior art.
  • prior art watermelon fruit mature edible flesh from diploid genotypes are softer than both triploid and tetraploid genotypes.
  • Fruit firmness variation within a line, irrespective of ploidy level, is insignificant.
  • standard diploid cultivars produce fruits with soft to at best firm flesh (i.e., flesh firmness at maturity from less than 1.0 lbf to about 1.5 lbf).
  • Standard tetraploid lines typically produce fruit with firm flesh or very firm flesh ⁇ i.e., flesh firmness between 1.5 lbf to less than about 3.0 lbf at maturity).
  • Standard triploid hybrids produce seedless fruit with an intermediate level of flesh firmness at maturity, ranging from about 1.3 lbf to 2.5 lbf. Table 1 shows flesh firmness data from the prior art for commercial hybrids and inbred watermelon lines.
  • the fruit of the present invention both have ultra firm flesh and are sweet.
  • Table 2 displays flesh firmness and sugar content from watermelon line PI296341, which was used as the source of the novel firm flesh fruit of this invention, and hybrid lines created according to the methods described herein. Sweetness measurements were determined quantitatively, using a refractometer (Leica Microsystems Model AR200, Reichert Inc., Depew, NY), according to manufacturer's instructions. One measurement was taken from each half of an equatorially cut fruit. The data were recorded as an average.
  • watermelon fruit of the present invention resist pressure of at least about 3.0 lbf, preferably at least about 3.5 lbf, more preferably at least about 4 lbf and most preferably at least about 5 lbf.
  • watermelon fruit of the present invention are sweet. Specifically, watermelon fruit display sweetness of at least about 6 brix, more
  • Example 4 describes a study that demonstrates this liquid-retaining trait.
  • the study compares liquid leakage rates of cut fruit from watermelon of this invention and of the prior art when stored at 4° centigrade. The results of this study are illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the study measures percent weight loss over time of cut fruit. This measurement approximates liquid loss, as 95-98% of the weight loss is due to liquid leakage. The remaining weight loss is due to leakage of other components of the fruit, such as soluble solids and acids.
  • the primary conclusion from these data is that processed watermelon fruit of the present invention lose less liquid over time than processed fruit of standard known cultivars.
  • Watermelon fruit of the present invention lose less than about four percent weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade.
  • the fruit of the present invention lose less than about three and one-half percent weight after three days storage at 4° centigrade, more preferably less than about three percent weight, even more preferably less than about two percent weight, and most preferably less than about one and one-half percent weight.
  • Watermelon fruit of the present invention also lose less than about five percent weight after a week of storage at 4° centigrade.
  • the fruit of the present invention lose less than about four percent weight after a week of storage at 4° centigrade, more preferably less than about three percent weight, even more preferably less than about two and one-half percent weight.
  • the fruit of the present invention are sweet. Specifically, these watermelon fruit display sweetness at least about 6 brix, more preferably at least about 8 brix and most preferably at least about 10 brix. Other traits
  • Watermelon plants of this invention may be seeded or seedless. Methods for obtaining diploid, triploid and tetraploid plants are well known in the art. Specifically, methods for obtaining diploid and triploid watermelon plants and seed of the present invention are described in detail below. Tetraploid plants of the present invention may be easily obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art using known cell biology techniques and the diploid plants described below.
  • Watermelon lines of the present invention were developed in the United States (Georgia, Florida and California), Mexico and Guatemala beginning in the year 2000. Furthermore, watermelon lines were grown for field performance and evaluation of adaptation in Florida, Georgia and California beginning in the year 2003. Additionally, diploid and triploid watermelon hybrids made with lines that produce watermelons having ultra firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh at maturity were evaluated in field conditions in Florida, California and Mexico in 2003 and 2004. Specific crosses and firmness and quality evaluations of resultant fruits are described in detail in the "Examples" section.
  • 839545vl 34703/0078 crosses cultivated germplasm with a non-cultivated type. In these crosses, the breeder can gain access to novel alleles from the non-cultivated type but has to overcome the genetic drag associated with the donor parent. Because of the difficulty with this breeding strategy, this approach often fails because of fertility or fecundity problems. The difficulty with this breeding approach extends to many crops, and is exemplified with an important disease resistant phenotype that was first described in tomato in 1944 (Smith, Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci: 44:413-416). In this cross, a nematode disease resistance was transferred from Z. peruvianum (PI128657) into a cultivated tomato.
  • PI plant introduction
  • the plant introduction (PI) accessions are typically lines that produce small fruits with firm white flesh and very poor taste (even bitter). Even though these lines have such poor horticultural qualities, some watermelon breeders, like some other crop breeders, attempt to breed with these PI lines because they potentially contain novel alleles.
  • the most commonly attempted breeding objective for use of the PI line series is to introgress new disease resistance genes.
  • the process of introgressing novel resistance genes from the PI lines into acceptable commercial types is a long and often arduous process. This process can be difficult because the trait may be polygenic, have low heritability, have linkage drag or some combination of the three.
  • PI296341 is characterized by having very small round fruits between 4 and 6 inches in diameter and weighing between 1 and 2.6 pounds. Fruit flesh is white and very firm, with low soluble solids content (Table 2). Organoleptic evaluations of these fruits range from no perception of sweetness to bitter.
  • inbred watermelon plants of the present invention may be obtained by crossing a watermelon with the ultra firm flesh trait and/or liquid-retaining flesh trait (ultra firm parent) with a non-ultra firm flesh watermelon with other desirable quality characteristics, including sweetness (recurrent parent).
  • the ultra firm parent may be plant introduction accession number 296341.
  • inbred line 3347 which generates sweet ultra firm fruit according to the present invention, using the methods described above and in the "Examples” section. See, especially, Example 5.
  • Inbred line 3347 has been deposited with NCIMB and accorded Accession No. NCIMB 41230. Details of the deposit follow the "Examples" section.
  • breeders may obtain diploid, triploid and tetraploid inbred lines of watermelon having fruit with the (i) ultra firm flesh and/or liquid- retaining flesh trait and (ii) sweetness trait.
  • the ultra firm flesh and liquid-retaining traits of the present invention are dominantly inherited, breeders may obtain hybrids using the watermelons of this invention. Hybrids may be either diploid or triploid. Specifically, breeders crossed inbred watermelon plants with the above desired flesh traits and sweetness traits to either diploid or tetraploid non-ultra firm flesh cultivars to create, respectively, diploid and triploid watermelon plants with fruit having the ultra firm flesh and/or liquid- retaining flesh trait and sweetness trait. The non-ultra firm flesh parent used in creating a
  • 18 839545vl' 34703/0078 hybrid may also be used to obtain sweet ultra firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh watermelon with other desirable traits, such as a particular size and/or color.
  • the fruit shape of Line W- 1128 is round oval with LAV ratio of 1.0- 1.2 : 1 and rind color is of light to medium green background and narrow darker green stripes.
  • This phenotype is known to those skilled in the art as "round-oval with narrow (or tiger) stripes” watermelon fruit.
  • Fruit shape of Line W-1119 is oval to high round with LAV ratio of 1.1-1.3 : 1.
  • Rind color is medium green background with wide darker green stripes.
  • This phenotype is known to those skilled in the art as "round-oval dark mottle stripe” watermelon fruit.
  • Fruit of Line W-1488 is of round shape with LAV ratio of 1.0 to 1.1 : 1.
  • Rind color is light green with some faint mottle/ net pattern in the background.
  • This phenotype is known to those skilled in the art as "round gray (or light green)” watermelon fruit.
  • the BC2 and BC2* generation were grown in the summer of 2001. As with the BCl generation, selection for vine vigor was made. Females thus selected were used to create the BC3 and BC3* generation.
  • BC4/BC4* generation was grown and evaluated qualitatively for sweet taste, fruit flesh firmness, and horticultural characteristics. Based on these evaluation criteria, plants were selected to create the next generation. Instead of creating another backcross generation, however, each selection from the lines being developed in parallel was self pollinated. The crossing produced the BC4S1/ BC4*S1 generation.
  • BC4S 1/BC4*S 1 generation was grown and evaluated qualitatively for sweet taste, fruit flesh firmness, and horticultural characteristics. Based on these evaluation criteria, plants were selected to create the next generation. Self pollination of the selected plants created the BC4S2/BC4*S2 generation.
  • BC4S2/BC4S*2 generation was grown and evaluated qualitatively for sweet taste, fruit flesh firmness, and horticultural characteristics. Based on these evaluation criteria, plants were selected to create the next generation. Self pollination of the selected plants created the BC4S3/BC4S*3 generation.
  • Figure 1 shows that significant fruit flesh firmness variation still existed in these samples. Although the data in Figure 1 indicate significant variation, it was clear that improvements to fruit firmness had been made. The arrow shows the average firmness rating of the recurrent parents. Even at this early generation in product development, approximately 43% of the fruits have firmness measurements of not less than 4 lbf.
  • phenotypes are determined by the genotype at one locus. These simple traits, like those studied by Mendel, fall in discontinuous categories such as green or yellow seeds. Most variation observed in nature, however, is continuous, like yield in field corn, or human blood pressure.
  • Figure 1 shows a continuous-type pattern of firm flesh variation, similar to a normal distribution. Unlike simply inherited traits, continuous variation can be the result of polygenic inheritance. Loci that affect continuous variation are referred to as quantitative trait loci, or QTLs. Variation in the phenotype of a quantitative trait is the result of the allelic composition at the QTLs and an environmental effect.
  • the fruit firmness trait may be controlled by several to many QTLs; (2) the fruit firmness trait may be caused by one or a few genes, but have a low heritability; and (3) the trait may be both polygenic and have low heritability.
  • brix levels were measured with a digital, hand-held refractometer (Leica Microsystems model AR200, Reichert Inc., Depew, NY) according to manufacturer's instructions. Brix levels were determined after the penetrometer firmness readings, by squeezing a sampled fruit until drops of liquid fell into the well of the refractometer. One brix measurement was taken from each half of a cut fruit, and the data were recorded as an average.
  • Tables 3 and 4 show that the test hybrids do exhibit small variation between the test sites. Taken together, however, the data show that these top performing hybrid combinations performed uniformly in the two locations. In particular, these hybrids consistently had ultra firm flesh, as measured by pound force of pressure and very good soluble solids, as measured by percentage brix.
  • Figure 2 graphically displays the percent weight loss of these samples over a 16 day period. Multiple samples per line were tested; the triangles, circle and squares represent the mean values at each time point, and the sample standard deviations are shown as bars. Data in figure 2 show large differences in weight losses between the controls having softer fruit flesh and the fruits with the ultra firm flesh trait. The difference between the controls and the test hybrids with the ultra firm flesh phenotype was apparent by the first time point, which was approximately 6 1 A hours after the samples were cut. Therefore, although cut product from standard cultivars may have a shelf life of up to 2 to 3 days, product deterioration begins almost immediately after they are cut. These data show that the ultra firm flesh lines developed using the method described herein will resist the rapid liquid leakage now common in cut watermelon fruits. Because these ultra firm flesh fruits will retain liquid once cut, they will last longer in the minimally processed watermelon market.
  • BC4S5/BC4S*5 generation was grown and evaluated qualitatively for sweet taste, fruit flesh firmness, and horticultural characteristics. Based on these evaluation criteria, plants were selected to create the next generation. Self pollination created the BC4S6/BC4S*6 generation.
  • Table 6 Mature fruit flesh firmness and sweetness scores. Firmness was measured as described herein with a penetrometer.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Developmental Biology & Embryology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Physiology (AREA)
  • Natural Medicines & Medicinal Plants (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Breeding Of Plants And Reproduction By Means Of Culturing (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Fruits And Vegetables (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une pastèque produisant un fruit dont (1) la chair est très ferme et/ou retient les liquides, et (2) qui présente des matières solides solubles présentant une valeur d'au moins environ 6 Brix.
PCT/US2005/023902 2004-07-02 2005-07-01 Pasteque aux qualites ameliorees WO2006014463A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05764293A EP1765059A4 (fr) 2004-07-02 2005-07-01 Pasteque aux qualites ameliorees
MX2011005040A MX343766B (es) 2004-07-02 2005-07-01 Sandia con calidades de procesamiento mejoradas.
MX2007000333A MX2007000333A (es) 2004-07-02 2005-07-01 Sandia con calidades de procesamiento mejoradas.
CN2005800295755A CN101247717B (zh) 2004-07-02 2005-07-01 具有改进的加工质量的西瓜
IL180275A IL180275A0 (en) 2004-07-02 2006-12-24 Watermelon with improved processing qualities
IL180468A IL180468A (en) 2004-07-02 2006-12-31 Watermelon with enhanced processing properties

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US58496404P 2004-07-02 2004-07-02
US60/584,964 2004-07-02
US10/972,190 2004-10-22
US10/972,190 US9173356B2 (en) 2004-07-02 2004-10-22 Watermelon with improved processing qualities
AU2005201372A AU2005201372B2 (en) 2004-07-02 2005-03-31 Watermelon with improved processing qualities
AU2005201372 2005-03-31

Publications (2)

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WO2006014463A2 true WO2006014463A2 (fr) 2006-02-09
WO2006014463A3 WO2006014463A3 (fr) 2009-04-16

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EP (1) EP1765059A4 (fr)
KR (1) KR101216516B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006014463A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7667101B2 (en) 2007-01-18 2010-02-23 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Watermelon line 110-1005
US8252982B2 (en) 2001-12-18 2012-08-28 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Seedless watermelon having small fruit
WO2016113329A1 (fr) 2015-01-15 2016-07-21 Nunhems B.V. Citrullus lanatus produisant des fruits à chair fortement texturée
US10667485B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2020-06-02 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Methods for watermelon plant and seed production

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012069539A1 (fr) * 2010-11-24 2012-05-31 Nunhems B. V. Pastèques pollinisatrices à double finalité

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003051103A2 (fr) 2001-12-18 2003-06-26 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Pasteque sans graines produisant de petits fruits

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR0309980A (pt) * 2002-05-14 2007-04-03 Syngenta Participations Ag melancias tetraplóides de produção de frutos pequenos
US7572954B2 (en) 2005-01-24 2009-08-11 Shamrock Seed Company, Inc. Melon having high percent soluble solids and improved firmness

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003051103A2 (fr) 2001-12-18 2003-06-26 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Pasteque sans graines produisant de petits fruits

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1765059A4
UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF WATERMELON, 1978

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8252982B2 (en) 2001-12-18 2012-08-28 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Seedless watermelon having small fruit
US7667101B2 (en) 2007-01-18 2010-02-23 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Watermelon line 110-1005
US10667485B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2020-06-02 Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. Methods for watermelon plant and seed production
WO2016113329A1 (fr) 2015-01-15 2016-07-21 Nunhems B.V. Citrullus lanatus produisant des fruits à chair fortement texturée
US10694696B2 (en) 2015-01-15 2020-06-30 Nunhems B.V. Citrullus lanatus producing fruits with high texture fruit flesh

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006014463A3 (fr) 2009-04-16
KR20070091599A (ko) 2007-09-11
EP1765059A2 (fr) 2007-03-28
KR101216516B1 (ko) 2012-12-31
EP1765059A4 (fr) 2009-10-14

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