Differential Gene Expression of Ethylene Biosynthesis and Signaling Associated with Climacteric Behaviors in Indonesian Melon

Authors

• Vida Rahma Latifah, Tropical Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaFollow
• Adib Fakhruddin Yusuf, Gama Melon Research Team, Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaFollow
• Karso Suryo Putro, Tropical Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaFollow
• Dian Sartika, Tropical Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaFollow
• Anjar Tri Wibowo, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, IndonesiaFollow
• Awik Puji Dyah Nurhayati, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, IndonesiaFollow
• Karlia Meitha, School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40116, IndonesiaFollow
• Miftahudin Miftahudin, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Bogor 16680, IndonesiaFollow
• Budi Setiadi Daryono, Gama Melon Research Team, Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Fruit ripening in melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a complex developmental process that is characterized by the coexistence of climacteric and non-climacteric varieties within the same species. This study characterized the ripening behavior of four local Indonesian melon cultivars (“Melona”, “GMP”, “Tacapa Gold”, and “Kinaya”) by integrating morphophysio-logical traits with transcriptional expression analysis of ethylene biosynthesis (CmACS, CmACO) and signaling (CmATH, CmEREBP) genes. The results revealed a strong agreement between the phenotypic traits and molecular regulation. “Melona” and “GMP” exhibited a strong climacteric profile, which was characterized by natural fruit abscission, sweet aroma production, and dramatic upregulation of CmACS. Conversely, “Tacapa Gold” aligned with a non-climacteric pro-file, exhibiting neither abscission nor aroma. Notably, “Kinaya” displayed a unique intermediate phenotype, combining a transient peak in CmACO expression and an enhanced softening rate with the absence of typical ethylene-dependent traits. Flesh softening and sugar accumulation progressed across all cultivars, thus confirming the presence of ethylene-independent pathways. Classifying these cultivars based on their specific position along the ripening continuum presents a robust framework for optimizing targeted harvest timing and tailored postharvest management strategies

Recommended Citation

Latifah, Vida Rahma; Yusuf, Adib Fakhruddin; Putro, Karso Suryo; Sartika, Dian; Wibowo, Anjar Tri; Nurhayati, Awik Puji Dyah; Meitha, Karlia; Miftahudin, Miftahudin; and Daryono, Budi Setiadi (2026) "Differential Gene Expression of Ethylene Biosynthesis and Signaling Associated with Climacteric Behaviors in Indonesian Melon," Makara Journal of Science: Vol. 30: Iss. 3, Article 12.
DOI: 10.7454/mss.v30i3.3313
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/science/vol30/iss3/12