Genetic erosion in melon (Cucumis melo): a case study from Tunisia.

This study reports on the analysis of 21 local melon cultivars (Cucumis melo L.)\ncollected in the South of Tunisia which were compared to three modern melon\ncultivars widely-grown in this area. The analysis was based on the morphological\ncharacterization of fruits. Modern cultivars were significantly different from local\ngermplasm as they were more firm and had higher sugar content. Furthermore it was\nfound that local germplasm was more variable, as a group, compared to the modern\ncultivars which replace them steadily. This study clearly shows the need to safeguard\nand manage this precious local germplasm both ex situ and in situ, as this material\nmay contain valuable genes for future breeding activities and also future cultivation\npractices. It can also be extrapolated from this study that genetic erosion in melon will\nsurely take place in the future if no adequate measures are taken.