Sweet genomes provide colorful life: a review on molecularly tagged genes and biological regulation of breeding characters in watermelon and melon

Watermelon and melon are important members of the Cucurbitaceae family, offering high economic benefit and nutritional value. With the release and ongoing refinement of the watermelon and melon genomes, many target genes (or loci) for further biology regulation exploration and molecular breeding, have been identified. Herein, we describe recent progress in genetic mapping and molecular regulation mechanisms for fruit quality, fruit development, plant morphogenesis, and plant disease resistance. We further outline future research priorities and breeding frameworks for watermelon and melon. This review delineates molecular regulators of fruit and plant development, offering a framework to explore homologous mechanisms in other Cucurbitaceae members.