Amnon Levi, Patrick Wechter, Sandra E. Branham, William Rutter, Benjamin Waldo, Shaker Kousik, Judy Thies, Homan Regmi, Melanie Katawczik, Laura Massey, Jennifer Ikerd, Venkata Ganaparthi, Anju Biswas. Fusarium wilt (FW) and root-knot nematodes (RKN) are the economically most significant soilborne diseases and pests of the U. S. watermelon crop. The citron watermelon (Citrullus amarus) is a valuable genetic resource for improving host-plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in watermelon cultivars. Geneticists and plant pathologists at the USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory evaluated the NPGS citron watermelon germplasm collection and identified FW and RKN-resistant accessions and developed genomic tools to facilitate the incorporation of FW- and RKN-resistance genes into watermelon cultivars. In collaboration with a Clemson University extension agent, they developed the ‘Carolina Strongback’ rootstock. Watermelon plants grafted with ‘Carolina Strongback’ rootstocks consistently produced high yields with no observed incidences of FW or RKN.
Watermelon Rootstock ‘Carolina Strongback’ Incorporates Disease and Pest Resistance from NPGS Germplasm
