Molecular genetic basis of resistance to downy mildew in cucumber and melon

Both cucumber and melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family and are important vegetable crops throughout the world. Among the most harmful oomycete species is downy mildew, which causes great damage to cucumber and melon production. An important basis for disease resistance molecular breeding is the study of genetic law and molecular regulation mechanism of cucumber and melon resistance to downy mildew. Pseudoperonospora cubensis is the pathogen responsible for downy mildew in cucumber and melon. Furthermore, there is a high degree of homology between the genomes of cucumber and melon. Cucumber and melon may therefore share a similar molecular genetic basis. This paper summarized and analyzed the physiological races differentiation of P. cubensis, the genetic law, and the mapping of resistance genes of cucumber and melon downy mildew resistance, to provide a reference for the comparative genomics research and the molecular design breeding of cucumber and melon downy mildew resistance.