Reaction and breeding of the melon for resistance to the pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina

Many factors have contributed to the reduction of productivity and melon fruit quality, even though it presents an excellent adaptation to the predominant edaphoclimatic conditions in the Brazilian Northeast region. The occurrence of diseases is one of these factors, highlighting the gray stem rot, which is caused by the soil pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina Tassi (Goid.). In this context, a viable alternative to the control of this fungus is the use of resistant cultivars or resistant rootstocks, because it is safe to the environment and be used in a complementary way to other control methods. Thus, the aim of this review is to address the main points that deal with the melon reaction and its breeding for resistance to M. phaseolina.