CUCUMIS MELO L. UNTAPPED SOURCES OF FUSARIUM WILT RESISTANCE
Abstract
Melon crops are severely impacted by fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, Monosporascus root rot, and charcoal root, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina.These diseases reduce fruit quality and yield, necessitating harsh chemical treatments.Fusarium wilt is one of the most dangerous diseases in the Mediterranean region, causing 10-30% of global melon crop loss each year.Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.melonis is the most well-known species affecting melon crops, with all four pathogenic races found in the Mediterranean basin, including Tunisia.Melon breeding projects aim to create genotypes resistant to race 1.2 and other races of the virus, which has expanded throughout the Mediterranean region and poses a threat to melon farming.Screening techniques, such as fake inoculations, have been employed to identify resistance sources.Functional markers for Fom-1 and Fom-2 have been created, and functional markers for Fom-1 and Fom-2 have been identified.