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Sex Determination in Cucumis

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Genetics and Genomics of Cucurbitaceae

Part of the book series: Plant Genetics and Genomics: Crops and Models ((PGG,volume 20))

Abstract

The Cucurbitaceae family is widely recognized for their highly diverse sexual systems. Due to this variability and the agricultural importance of some of its members, cucurbits have been used as a plant model for understanding sex determination in the kingdom. Several studies in important members of this family such as melon and cucumber, have supplemented plant biologists with meaningful findings regarding the main factors influencing flower sexuality. Sex determination and the evolution of sexual systems comprise different factors, ranging from genetic components involved in ethylene biosynthesis to transcription regulators and epigenetic processes.

In this chapter, we present an integrative explanation of the mechanisms governing sex determination in different members of the Cucurbitaceae family. For this purpose, several studies on the field will be integrated in order to provide the main fundaments of flower development and sexual systems in cucurbits. Starting with the basics of floral ontogenesis, this chapter will discuss the genetic models regulating sex determination and the evidenced factors influencing flower sexuality. At last, we mention the nebulous aspects of the sexual systems present in cucurbits and the importance of considering them for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay IPS2, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Batiment 630, 91405, Orsay, France

    Natalia Yaneth Rodriguez-Granados, Afef Lemhemdi, Fadi Abou Choucha, David Latrasse, Moussa Benhamed, Adnane Boualem & Abdelhafid Bendahmane

  2. Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay IPS2, Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Bâtiment 630, 91405, Orsay, France

    Natalia Yaneth Rodriguez-Granados, Afef Lemhemdi, Fadi Abou Choucha, David Latrasse, Moussa Benhamed, Adnane Boualem & Abdelhafid Bendahmane

Authors
  1. Natalia Yaneth Rodriguez-Granados
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  2. Afef Lemhemdi
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  3. Fadi Abou Choucha
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  4. David Latrasse
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  5. Moussa Benhamed
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  6. Adnane Boualem
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  7. Abdelhafid Bendahmane
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdelhafid Bendahmane .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    Rebecca Grumet

  2. Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, Israel

    Nurit Katzir

  3. Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Institute de Recerca i Technologia Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Jordi Garcia-Mas

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Rodriguez-Granados, N.Y. et al. (2017). Sex Determination in Cucumis. In: Grumet, R., Katzir, N., Garcia-Mas, J. (eds) Genetics and Genomics of Cucurbitaceae. Plant Genetics and Genomics: Crops and Models, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7397_2016_32

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