Development of inbred materials resistant to fusarium wilt (fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis) and powdery mildew (podosphaera xanthii) using classical and molecular techniques in kirkağaç melon genotypes

This thesis research was conducted with the aim of 'Development of Inbred Materials Resistant to Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis) and Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) Using Classical and Molecular Techniques in Kırkağaç Melon Genotypes.' The field studies, some pomological analyses, and disease resistance studies based on classical testing were conducted at the pomology laboratory and testing unit of the vegetable breeding facilities belonging to Antalya Tarım A.Ş., while the molecular analyses were carried out at the Molecular Analyses Laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University. Hybrid obtained by crossing AT-1 and AT-5 lines and materials obtained from ongoing self-pollination studies were used in the study. Within the scope of the research, classical testing and PCR readings with the help of markers were carried out on plants, leaves, and fruits for growth, phenological, and pomological observations and measurements, as well as for Fusarium wilt [Fom-1 (reces 0 and 2) and Fom-2 (races 0 and 1)] and powdery mildew (Pm-5) diseases. According to the research results, differences were identified between genotypes in the observations and measurements conducted on plants and leaves. All of the genotypes examined had a monoecious flower structure, and while fruit flesh thickness was highest in only the 40th genotype in the F2 stage, it was highest in three genotypes (115th, 85th, and 66th genotypes, respectively) in the F3 stage. The soluble solid content (SSC) value, one of the fruit quality indicators, was highest in 3 genotypes (85th, 54th, and 64th genotypes) in the F2 stage, while in the F3 stage, it reached the highest value in 2 genotypes (66th and 27th genotypes). In terms of fruit weight, the highest values were obtained in 4 genotypes (35th, 9th, 47th, and 40th genotypes) in the F2 stage and in 2 genotypes (35th and 71st genotypes) in the F3 stage. As a result of molecular analyses, 12 of our genotypes in the F2 stage were found to be homozygous resistant to Fom-1 using the NBS1-CAPS marker, and 43 were found to be heterozygous resistant, while 17 of the genotypes were found to be homozygous resistant and 93 were found to be susceptible to Fom-2 using the SSR154 marker. In molecular analyses conducted for Pm-5, 57 genotypes were determined to be homozygous resistant using the SSR12202-220 marker, while 72 genotypes were determined to be homozygous resistant using the CMMS30-3 marker. As a result of classical testing conducted at the F3 stage against powdery mildew, 27 genotypes were found to be highly resistant. In F3 genotypes, 10 genotypes were found to be resistant to powdery mildew using the SSR12202-220 primer for Pm-5, and 5 genotypes were found to be resistant using the CMMS-30-3 primer. According to classical testing and disease scoring in F3 genotypes, 12 genotypes were found to be resistant to Fom-1 and 20 genotypes were found to be resistant to Fom-2. In F3 genotypes, 17 genotypes were evaluated as homozygous resistant, 27 as heterozygous resistant, and 39 as susceptible to Fom-1 using the NBS1-CAPS marker. For Fom-2, 55 of the genotypes were found to be homozygous resistant with the SSR154 marker and 28 were detected in the susceptible band.