Genetic Diversity of Cucurbit Crops
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2024) | Viewed by 4305
Special Issue Editor
Interests: abiotic stress; crop genetic resources; crop improvement; genotype-by-environment interaction; plant stress physiology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Cucurbitaceae family comprises important and valuable crops which serve as food, feed and medicine for millions of people globally. Some of the top cultivated cucurbit crops include cucumber, watermelon, melon, pumpkin and squash. Additionally, the Cucurbitaceae family includes some “minor”, “neglected” or “underutilized” crops such as bottle gourd, bitter gourd, wax gourd, egusi, citron watermelons, etc., mostly grown by indigenous people in some parts of the world for different uses. Therefore, it is undoubtable that human sustenance and well-being, both now and in the future, will rely on the cultivation and consumption of cucurbit crops. Therefore, efforts are required to continuously develop varieties that are well-adapted to changing climatic conditions, are high yielding and nutritional, and can tolerate emerging pests and diseases to ensure a sufficient food supply for the increasing human population. The genetic improvement of economic traits relies on the availability of sufficient genetic variation for the selection of suitable genotypes to be used for hybridization in crop improvement programmes. Therefore, exploring the genetic diversity in cucurbit crops will allow the design and breeding of improved varieties, targeting local uses, niche market opportunities, and the changing market standards and consumer preferences.
This Special Issue provides an opportunity to highlight the status of the genetic diversity of diverse cucurbit species. We invite manuscripts that focus on germplasm characterization using agronomic/horticultural and physiological traits, molecular markers, nutritional and phytochemical composition, and pest and disease reactions in order to encourage the collection and conservation of cucurbit genetic resources for future cultivar breeding.
Dr. Jacob Mashilo
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- crop genetic resources
- cucurbits
- genetic diversity
- genotyping
- genetic analysis
- molecular markers
- phenotyping
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