ABSTRACT
Advance in next-generation sequencing has ushered a genomics era for Cucurbita crops. The development of genomic tools such as reference genomes, transcriptome assemblies, genetic linkage maps, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping, marker-assisted selection, genome-wide association studies, gene expression, genomic selection, and gene editing have facilitated the discovery and characterization of genes underlying key biological processes as well as those governing economically important traits in Cucurbita crops. Herein, a review of genomics-aided allele discovery in Cucurbita species is provided, with an emphasis on disease resistance, morphological and fruit traits. Collectively, these discoveries not only provide a platform for accelerated breeding in Cucurbita, but also offer insights into the functional mechanisms underlying economically important traits.
