Development of molecular markers associated with the high trans-lycopene contents in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) fruits

Trans-lycopene is a functional phytochemical abundant in red-fleshed watermelons, and its contents vary among cultivars. In this study, the genetic basis of high trans-lycopene contents in scarlet red flesh was evaluated. Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) with high trans-lycopene contents were derived from the scarlet red-fleshed donor parent DRD and two coral red-fleshed (low trans-lycopene contents) recurrent parents(45NC and SBA). Whole genome resequencing (WGRS) was carried out for these NILs and their parental lines, and introgression chromosomal regions were identified. Two SNP markers were developed from a co-introgression region between the NILs, and their association with the high trans-lycopene contents were evaluated by using a panel of watermelon breeding lines and F1 hybrids.