Transcriptome analysis of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivars under combined low-temperature and low-light stress

This project investigates the transcriptomic responses of two watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivars - Binhong (YDZ-7, tolerant) and Kaimei (YDZ-5, sensitive) - to combined low-temperature and low-light stress for 7 days. Leaf samples were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq with paired-end 150 bp reads and reference-based assembly to the watermelon genome. The study identifies differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enriched pathways (e.g., arginine and proline metabolism, glutathione metabolism via KEGG/GO), and metabolic reprogramming associated with stress tolerance. Raw data include 12 samples (3 replicates per cultivar-treatment combination).