SSR-based genetic diversity analysis of Tunisian varieties of melon (cucumis melo L.) and Fakous (cucumis melo var.flexuosus)

The genetic diversity is fundamental in order to provide information for genetic resources conservation and breeding programs. Genetic diversity of Tunisian melon varieties (Cucumis melo L.) and ‘fakous’ (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) selected by the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia was evaluated using twelve microsatellite markers. Among 12 primer pairs, 11 SSR were polymorphic and reproducible. The number of alleles per locus varied between 2 (CMGAN25. CMCTN35. CMCTN86. CMAGN68. FR14G19) and 3 alleles (CMCTN5. TJ10. TJ27. CMGAN80. MU118. SSH6123), with an average of 2.54 alleles/primer. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) ranged from 0.43 (CMCTN35) to 0.92 (TJ10) with an average value of 0.75. The dissimilarity coefficient ranged from 0.090 to 0.818 with a mean value of 0.454. Our data provide evidence of high molecular polymorphism, showing that the varieties of melon and fakous constitute an important pool of diversity. The relationship between cultivars was evaluated through cluster analysis and separated the cultivars in two major groups with a clear divergence of ‘fakous’ (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) from the other varieties.