WATERMELON VARIETY NUN 32206 WMW

Abstract

A new and distinct watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is disclosed as well as seeds and plants and fruits thereof.

Claims

1. A plant or seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

2. A plant part of the plant of claim 1, wherein said plant part is a leaf, pollen, an ovule, a fruit, a scion, a root, a rootstock, or a cutting.

3. A watermelon plant, or a part thereof having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of claim 1 when grown under the same environmental conditions.

4. A tissue or cell culture comprising regenerable cells of the plant of claim 1 or part thereof, wherein said cells are obtained from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and are suitable for regeneration into a plant having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 MEM.

5. A method of producing the plant of claim 1 or part thereof, said method comprising vegetatively propagating at least a part of the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein said part is a cutting, a cell culture, or a tissue culture, and wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

6. A vegetatively propagated plant or part thereof produced by the method of claim 5, wherein the plant or part thereof has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW when grown under the same environmental conditions, and wherein a representative sample of seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

7. A method of producing a watermelon plant, said method comprising crossing the plant of claim 1 with a second watermelon plant at least once, and selecting a progeny watermelon plant from said crossing and optionally allowing the progeny to form seed.

8. A method of producing a watermelon seed, said method comprising crossing melon plants and harvesting the resultant seed, wherein at least one watermelon plant is the plant of claim 1, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

9. A method of introducing a single locus conversion into the plant of claim 1, comprising: a. crossing the plant of claim 1 with a second watermelon plant comprising a desired single locus conversion to produce F1 progeny plants; b. selecting F1 progeny plants that have the single locus conversion to produce selected F1 progeny plants; c. crossing selected F1 progeny plants with watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW to produce backcross progeny plants; d. selecting backcross progeny plants that have the single locus conversion and otherwise comprise all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and e. repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times in succession to produce selected second or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the single locus and otherwise comprise all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

10. A watermelon plant produced by the method of claim 9, wherein the plant comprises the single locus conversion and otherwise has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein the single locus confers male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, or modified protein metabolism.

11. A method of introducing a desired trait into the plant of claim 1, said method comprising transforming the plant of claim 1 with a transgene that confers the desired trait, wherein the transformed plant contains the desired trait and otherwise has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315, and wherein the desired trait is male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, or modified protein metabolism.

12. A method of making doubled haploid cells of the plant of claim 1, said method comprising making doubled haploid cells from haploid cells from the plant or plant part of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

13. A method of grafting a scion or rootstock, comprising attaching a tissue from the scion or rootstock of claim 2 to the tissue of a second plant, and optionally regenerating a plant therefrom.

14. A plant comprising the scion or rootstock of claim 2.

15. A container comprising the plant or seed of claim 1.

16. A food product, a feed product, or a processed product comprising the plant part of claim 2, wherein the plant part is a fruit or a part thereof.

17. A method of producing a modified watermelon plant having a desired trait, wherein the method comprises mutating the plant or plant part of claim 1, and selecting a plant with a desired trait, wherein the resulting mutated plant contains the desired trait and otherwise retains all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315, and wherein the desired trait is male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, or modified protein metabolism.

18. A method for determining the genotype of the plant of claim 1, said method comprising obtaining a sample of nucleic acids from said plant, and detecting in said nucleic acid a plurality of polymorphisms, thereby determining the genotype of the plant, and storing the results of detecting the plurality of polymorphisms on a computer readable medium.

19. A method of producing a watermelon plant derived from the plant of claim 1, comprising: a. producing a progeny watermelon plant derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by crossing the plant of claim 1 with itself or with a second watermelon plant; b. crossing the progeny plant with itself or a different watermelon plant to produce seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation; c. growing a progeny plant of the subsequent generation from said seed and crossing the progeny plant of the subsequent generation with itself or another watermelon plant; and d. repeating steps (b) and (c) for at least one more generation to produce a melon plant derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

20. A method for developing a watermelon plant in a watermelon breeding program, said method comprising applying plant breeding techniques to the plant of claim 1 or part thereof, wherein said plant breeding techniques result in a development of a watermelon plant.

21. A method of producing a modified melon plant, said method comprising mutating a target gene by targeted gene editing in a melon plant or plant part of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW wherein said target gene modifies a desired trait and wherein the desired trait is male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, or modified metabolism.

22. A watermelon plant produced by the method of claim 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0106] The disclosure relates to a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of seeds of said variety has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty, with Accession Number NCIMB 44315. NUN 32206 WMW is a mini seedless watermelon variety and is suitable for growing in the open field.

[0107] In another aspect, the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32202 WMW or part thereof, or progeny thereof comprises intermediate resistance to Colletotrichum obiculare Race 1, measured according to TG/142/5.

[0108] The disclosure also provides for a watermelon plant or part thereof having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW when grown under the same environmental conditions.

[0109] In one aspect, the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW or a progeny plant thereof, comprises all of the following morphological and/or physiological characteristics (i.e., average values of numerical characteristics, as indicated on the USDA Objective description of varietywatermelon (unless indicated otherwise)) as shown in Table 1, where the numerical characteristics are determined at the 5% significance level for plants and determined by type or degree for non-numerical characteristics for plants grown under the same environmental conditions. A part of this plant is also provided.

[0110] The disclosure further provides a watermelon plant which does not differ from the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW as determined at the 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5% significance level when grown under the same environmental conditions. In a particular aspect, the plants are measured in the same trial (e.g., the trial is conducted as recommended by the USDA or UPOV). The disclosure also comprises a part of said plant, preferably a fruit or part thereof.

[0111] The morphological and/or physiological differences between two different individual plants described herein (e.g., between watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and a progeny thereof) or between a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW or progeny of said variety, or a plant having all, or all but 1, 2, or 3, of the physiological and morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or all, or all but 1, 2, or 3 of the characteristics as listed in Table 1) and another known variety can easily be established by growing said variety next to each other (in the same field, under the same environmental conditions), preferably in several locations which are suitable for said watermelon cultivation, and measuring the morphological and physiological characteristics of a representative number of plants (e.g., to calculate an average value and to determine the variation range/uniformity within the variety). For example, trials can be carried out in Acampo CA, USA (N 38 degrees 07261 /W 121 degrees 18 807, USA), whereby various characteristics, for example, fruit type, maturity category, ploidy, plant sex form, leaf shape, leaf color, lobing, flower color, fruit shape, average fruit weight, fruit color, stripes, rind texture, flesh texture, flesh color, % soluble solids of juice, penetrometer resistance reading, disease resistance, and insect resistance can be measured and directly compared for species of watermelon.

[0112] Also, at-harvest and/or post-harvest characteristics of fruits can be compared, such as cold storage holding quality, post-harvest flesh firmness, and Brix can be measured using known methods. (Fruit) Flesh firmness can, for example, be measured using a penetrometer, e.g. by inserting a probe into the fruit flesh and determining the insertion force, or by other methods. Fruit flesh firmness can for example be measured using a FT 327 Penetrometer, available from QA Supplies LLC, 1185 Pineridge Road, Norfolk, VA 23502.

[0113] Thus, the disclosure comprises watermelon plant having one, two or three physiological and/or morphological characteristics which are different from those of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW and which otherwise has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, when determined (e.g., at the 5% significance level for quantitative characteristics or determined by type for non-quantitative characteristics) for plants grown under the same environmental conditions. In one aspect, the different characteristic(s) is/are a result of breeding with watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and selection of a progeny plant comprising one, two, or three characteristics which are different than in watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. In another aspect, the different characteristic is the result of a mutation (e.g., spontaneous mutation of a human induced mutation through, e.g., targeted mutagenesis or traditional mutagenesis such as chemically or radiation induced mutagenesis) or it is a result of transformation.

[0114] The disclosure also relates to a seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein a representative sample of said seed has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty, with Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

[0115] In another aspect, a seed of hybrid variety NUN 32206 WMW is obtainable by crossing the male parent of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with the female parent of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and harvesting the seeds produced on the female parent. The resultant seeds of said variety can be grown to produce plants of said variety.

[0116] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a plant grown from a seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and plant part thereof.

[0117] The disclosure also provides a watermelon fruit produced on a plant grown from a seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0118] In another aspect, the disclosure provides for a watermelon plant part of variety NUN 32206 WMW, preferably a fruit or part thereof, a representative sample of seed from said variety has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty, with Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

[0119] Also provided is a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, or a fruit or other plant part thereof, produced from a seed, wherein a representative sample of said seeds has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty, with Accession Number NCIMB 44315.

[0120] Also provided is a plant part obtained from variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein said plant part is a fruit, a harvested fruit, a part of a fruit, a leaf, a part of a leaf, pollen, an ovule, a cell, a petiole, a shoot or a part thereof, a stem or a part thereof, a root or a part thereof, a root tip, a cutting, a seed, a part of a seed, seed coat or another maternal tissue which is part of a seed grown on said variety, a hypocotyl, a cotyledon, a scion, a stock, a rootstock, a pistil, an anther, and a flower or a part thereof. Such plant parts may be suitable for sexual reproduction (e.g., a pollen, a flower, an ovary, an ovule, an embryo, etc.), vegetative reproduction (e.g., a cutting, a root, a stem, a cell, a protoplast, a leaf, a cotyledon, a meristem, etc.) or tissue culture (e.g., a leaf, a pollen, an embryo, a cotyledon, a hypocotyl, a cell, a root, a root tip, an anther, a flower, a seed, a stem, etc.). Fruits are particularly important plant parts. Fruits may be parthenocarpic, or seedless, or contain immature or nonviable seeds, or contain viable seeds.

[0121] In a further aspect, the plant part obtained from variety NUN 32206 WMW is a cell, optionally a cell in a cell or tissue culture. That cell may be grown into a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW. A part of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or of a progeny of that variety or of a plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics but one, two or three of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW) further encompasses any cells, tissues, organs obtainable from the seedlings or plants in any stage of maturity.

[0122] The disclosure also provides a tissue or cell culture comprising cells of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. Such a tissue culture can, for example, be grown on plates or in liquid culture, or be frozen for long term storage. The cells of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW used to start the culture can be selected from any plant part suitable for vegetative reproduction, or in a particular aspect can be cells of an embryo, a meristem, a cotyledon, a hypocotyl, pollen, a leaf, an anther, a root, a root tip, a pistil, a petiole, a flower, a fruit, a seed, or a stem. In another particular aspect, the tissue culture does not contain somaclonal variation or has reduced somaclonal variation. The skilled person is familiar with methods to reduce or prevent somaclonal variation, including regular re-initiation.

[0123] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a watermelon plant regenerated from the tissue or cell culture of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein the regenerated plant is not significantly different from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW in all, or all but one, two, or three, of the physiological and morphological characteristics, e.g., determined at the 5% significance level for numerical characteristics and determined by type or degree for non-numerical characteristics when grown under the same environmental conditions. Optionally, the plant has one, two, or three the physiological and morphological characteristics that are affected by a mutation or by transformation. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a watermelon plant regenerated from the tissue or cell culture of variety NUN 32206 WMW, wherein the plant has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of said variety, e.g., determined at the 5% significance level for numerical characteristics and determined by type or degree for non-numerical characteristics when grown under the same environmental conditions. Similarity or difference of a characteristic is determined by measuring that characteristic on a representative number of plants grown under the same environmental conditions, determining whether type/degree characteristics are the same and determining whether numerical characteristics are different at the 5% significance level.

[0124] Watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, or its progeny, or a plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics but one, two or three which are different from those of variety NUN 32206 WMW, can also be reproduced using vegetative reproduction methods. Therefore, the disclosure provides for a method of producing a plant, or a plant part, of variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising vegetative propagation of said variety. Vegetative propagation comprises regenerating a whole plant from a plant part of variety NUN 32206 WMW or from a progeny or from or a plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics of said variety but one, two or three different characteristics, such as a cutting, a cell culture, or a tissue culture.

[0125] The disclosure also provides methods of vegetatively propagating a part of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW. In certain aspects, the method comprises: (a) cultivating tissue or cells capable of being propagated from NUN 32206 WMW to obtain proliferated shoots; and (b) rooting said proliferated shoots, to obtain rooted plantlets. Steps (a) and (b) may also be reversed, i.e., first cultivating said tissue to obtain roots and then cultivating the tissue to obtain shoots, thereby obtaining rooted plantlets. The rooted plantlets may then be further grown, to obtain plants. In one embodiment, the method further comprises step (c) growing plants from said rooted plantlets. Therefore, the method also comprises regenerating a whole plant from a part of variety NUN 32206 WMW. In a particular aspect, the part of the plant to be propagated is a cutting, a cell culture or a tissue culture.

[0126] The disclosure also provides for a vegetatively propagated plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or from progeny of variety NUN 32206 WMW or from or a plant having all but one, two or three physiological and/or morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW), wherein the plant has all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW when the characteristics are determined at the 5% significance level for plants grown under the same conditions. In another aspect, the propagated plant has all but one, two or three of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW when the characteristics are determined at the 5% significance level for plants grown under the same conditions. A part of said propagated plant or said propagated plant with one, two or three differences is also provided. In another aspect, the propagated plant has all or all but 1, 2, or 3 of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1).

[0127] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for producing a watermelon plant part, preferably a fruit, comprising growing a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW until it sets at least one fruit, and collecting the fruit. Preferably, the fruit is collected at harvest maturity. In another aspect, the fruit is collected when the seed is ripe. In a particular aspect, all fruits on a truss can be harvested together. In another particular aspect, all fruit on a watermelon plant can be harvested at the same time.

[0128] In another aspect, the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW can be produced by seeding directly in the soil (e.g., the field) or by germinating the seeds in a controlled environment (e.g., greenhouse) and optionally then transplanting the seedlings into the field (see, e.g., Baameur, et. Al., University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 7213, 2009, 1-5). Watermelon can also be grown entirely in greenhouses. For example, a seed is sown into a prepared seed bed in a field where the plant remains for its entire life. Alternatively, the seed may be planted through a black plastic mulch. The dark plastic will absorb heat from the sun, warming the soil early. It will also help to conserve moisture during the growing season, controls weed and makes harvesting easier and cleaner. Triploid varieties should be interplanted with pollenizers to set fruit.

[0129] In another aspect, the plant and plant parts of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and progeny of said variety are provided, e.g., grown from seeds, produced by sexual or vegetative reproduction, regenerated from the above-described plant parts, or regenerated from cell or tissue culture of the watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, in which the reproduced (seed propagated or vegetatively propagated) plant has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, e.g., listed in Table 1. In one aspect, said progeny of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW can be modified in one, two, or three characteristics, in which the modification is a result of mutagenesis or transformation with a transgene.

[0130] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a progeny plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW such as a progeny plant obtained by further breeding of variety NUN 32206 WMW. Further breeding with variety NUN 32206 WMW includes selfing that variety and/or cross-pollinating variety NUN 32206 WMW with another watermelon plant one or more times. In particular, the disclosure provides for a progeny plant that retains all the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW or, in another aspect, a progeny plant that retains all, or all but one, two, or three, of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW, optionally all or all but one, two, or three of the characteristics as listed in Table 1, e.g., determined at the 5% significance level for numerical characteristics and determined by type or degree for non-numerical characteristics, when grown under the same environmental conditions. In another aspect, the progeny is a first generation progeny, i.e., the ovule or the pollen (or both) used in the crossing is an ovule or pollen of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, where the pollen comes from an anther of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and the ovule comes from an ovary of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for a vegetative reproduction of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and a plant having all, or all but 1, 2, or 3 of the physiological and morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1).

[0131] In still another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of producing a watermelon plant, comprising crossing a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW with a second watermelon plant at least once, allowing seed to develop and optionally harvesting said progeny seed. The skilled person can select progeny from said crossing. Optionally, the progeny (grown from the progeny seed) is crossed twice, thrice, or four, five, six or seven times, and allowed to set seed. In one aspect, the first crossing further comprises planting seeds of a first and a second parent watermelon plant, often in proximity so that pollination will occur; for example, mediated by insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually. Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without the need for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation. After pollination the plant can produce seed.

[0132] The disclosure also provides a method for collecting pollen of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising collecting pollen from a variety NUN 32206 WMW plant. Alternatively, the method comprises growing a watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW plant until at least one flower contains pollen and collecting the pollen. In a particular aspect, the pollen is collected when it is mature or ripe. A suitable method for collecting pollen comprises collecting anthers or the part of the anther that contains pollen, for example, by cutting the anther or the part of the anther off. Pollen can be collected in a container. Optionally, collected pollen can be used to pollinate a watermelon flower.

[0133] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of producing a plant, comprising selfing a watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW plant one or more times, and selecting a progeny plant from said selfing. In one aspect, the progeny plant retains all or all but one, two or three of the physiological and morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW described above when grown under the same environmental conditions. In a different aspect, the progeny plant comprises all of the physiological and morphological characteristic of variety NUN 32206 WMW of Table 1.

[0134] The disclosure also provides a method for developing a watermelon plant in a watermelon breeding program, using variety NUN 32206 WMW, or its parts as a source of plant breeding material. Suitable plant breeding techniques are recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, mass selection, mutation breeding and/or genetic marker enhanced selection. In one aspect, the method comprises crossing watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW or its progeny, or a plant comprising all but 1, 2, or 3 or more of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1), with a different watermelon plant, and wherein one or more offspring of the crossing are subject to one or more plant breeding techniques: recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, mass selection, mutation breeding and genetic marker enhanced selection (see, e.g., Vidavsky and Czosnek, (1998) Phytopathology 88 (9): 910-4). For breeding methods in general, see, e.g., Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding, 2007, George Acquaah, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN-13:978-1-4051-3646-4.

[0135] In one aspect, pedigree selection is used as a breeding method for developing a watermelon variety. Pedigree selection is also known as the Vilmorin System of Selection, see, e.g., Allard, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999, pp. 64-67. In general, selection is first practiced among F2 plants. In the next season, the most desirable F3 lines are first identified, then desirable F3 plants within each line are selected. The following season and in all subsequent generations of inbreeding, the most desirable families are identified first, then desirable lines within the selected families are chosen. A family refers to lines that were derived from plants selected from the same progeny from the preceding generation.

[0136] Thus, progeny in connection with pedigree selection are either the generation (seeds) produced from the first cross (F1) or selfing (S1), or any further generation produced by crossing and/or selfing (F2, F3, etc.) and/or backcrossing (BC1, BC2, etc.) one or more selected plants of the F1 and/or S1 and/or BC1 generation (or plants of any further generation, e.g., F2) with another watermelon plant (and/or with a wild relative of watermelon). Progeny may have all the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW when grown under the same environmental conditions and/or progeny may have (be selected for having) one or more of the distinguishing characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0137] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a method of producing a new watermelon plant comprising crossing a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, or a plant comprising all but one, two, or three of the morphological and physiological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW (as listed in Table 1), or a progeny plant thereof, either as male or as female parent, with a second watermelon plant (or a wild relative of watermelon) one or more times, and/or selfing watermelon plant variety NUN 32206 WMW, or a progeny plant thereof, one or more time, and selecting a progeny watermelon plant from said crossing and/or selfing. The second watermelon plant may, for example, be a line or variety of the species Citrullus lanatus, or other Citrullus species or even other Cucurbitacea species.

[0138] In a further aspect, watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is used in crosses with other, different, watermelon varieties to produce first generation (F1) watermelon hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics. In a particular aspect, the disclosure provides a watermelon seed and a plant produced by crossing a first parent watermelon plant with a second parent watermelon plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent watermelon plant is watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. In another aspect, the watermelon seed and plant produced are the first filial generation (F1) watermelon seed and plants produced by crossing the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with another watermelon plant.

[0139] The morphological and physiological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW are provided in Table 1, as collected in a trial according to USDA and/or UPOV standards. Encompassed herein is also a plant obtainable from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., by selfing and/or crossing and/or backcrossing with said variety and/or progeny of said variety) comprising all or all but one, two, or three of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW listed in Table 1 (as determined at the 5% significance level for quantitative characteristics or identical for non-quantitative characteristics) when grown under the same environmental conditions and/or comprising one or more (or all; or all except one, two, or three) characteristics when grown under the same environmental conditions. The morphological and/or physiological characteristics may vary somewhat with variation in the environment (e.g., temperature, light intensity, day length, humidity, soil, fertilizer use, disease vectors), which is why a comparison under the same environmental conditions is preferred. Colors can best be measured using the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chart.

[0140] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of producing a plant derived from a watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising crossing a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW either as a male or female parent with a second plant or selfing watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW or vegetative reproduction of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and collecting seeds from said crossing or selfing or regenerating a whole plant from the vegetable cell-or tissue culture. Also provided are seeds and/or plants obtained by this method. All plants produced using watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW as a parent are within the scope of the disclosure including plant parts derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0141] In a further aspect, the method comprises growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a second plant and repeating the steps for additional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. The plant derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW may be an inbred line and the aforementioned repeating crossing steps may be defined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. By selecting plants having one or more desirable traits of the line as well as potentially other selected traits.

[0142] The disclosure provides for methods of producing a plant which retain all the morphological and physiological characteristics of the plant described herein. The disclosure also provides for methods of producing a plant comprising all but 1, 2, or 3 or more of the morphological and physiological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1), but which are still genetically closely related to said variety. The relatedness can, for example, be determined by fingerprinting techniques (e.g., making use of isozyme markers and/or molecular markers such as Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, microsatellites, minisatellites, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers and others). A plant is closely related to variety NUN 32206 WMW if its DNA fingerprint is at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% identical to the fingerprint of said variety. In a particular aspect AFLP markers are used for DNA fingerprinting (see, e.g., Vos et al. 1995, Nucleic Acid Research 23:4407-4414). A closely related plant may have a Jaccard's Similarity index of at least about 0.8, preferably at least about 0.9, 0.95, 0.98 or more (see, e.g., Parvathaneni et al., J. Crop Sci. Biotech. 2011 (March) 14 (1): 39-43). The disclosure also provides a plant obtained or selected by applying these methods on watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. Such a plant may be produced by traditional breeding techniques, or mutation or transformation or in another aspect, a plant may simply be identified and selected amongst plants of said variety, or progeny of said variety, e.g., by identifying a variant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, or within progeny of said variety, which variant differs from the variety described herein watermelon in one, two or three of the morphological and/or physiological characteristics (e.g., characteristics listed in Table 1). In one aspect, the disclosure provides a watermelon plant having a Jaccard's Similarity index with watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW of at least 0.8, e.g., at least 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.98 or even at least 0.99.

[0143] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a watermelon plant comprising genomic DNA having at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity compared to the genomic DNA sequence of a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW as deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315. In some aspects, the watermelon plant further comprises all or all but 1, 2, or 3 of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1). In other aspects, the watermelon plant is a hybrid derived from a seed or plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW. In other aspects, the watermelon plant further comprises all of the distinguishing characteristics of a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0144] For the purpose of this disclosure, the sequence identity of nucleotide sequences, expressed as a percentage, refers to the number of positions in the two optimally aligned sequences which have identical residues (100) divided by the number of positions compared. A gap, i.e., a position in the pairwise alignment where a residue is present in one sequence but not in the other, is regarded as a position with non-identical residues. A pairwise global sequence alignment of two nucleotide sequences is found by aligning the two sequences over the entire length according to the Needleman and Wunsch global alignment algorithm described in Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48(3):443-53). A full implementation of the Needleman-Wunsch global alignment algorithm is found in the needle program in The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite (see, e.g., EMBOSS, Rice et al., Trends in Genetics June 2000, vol. 16, No. 6. pp.276-277).

[0145] In another aspect, the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW may also be mutated (by e.g., irradiation, chemical mutagenesis, heat treatment, etc.) and mutated seeds or plants may be selected in order to change one or more characteristics of said variety. Methods such as TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) may be applied to populations in order to identify mutants.

[0146] Similarly, watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW may be transformed and regenerated, whereby one or more chimeric genes are introduced into the variety or into a plant comprising all but 1, 2, 3, or more of the morphological and physiological characteristics (e.g., as listed in Table 1). Many useful traits can be introduced into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by e.g., crossing a watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with a transgenic watermelon plant comprising a desired transgene, as well as by directly introducing a transgene into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by genetic transformation techniques.

[0147] Any pest or disease resistance genes may be introduced into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, progeny of said variety or into a plant comprising all but 1, 2, or 3 or more of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., as listed in Table 1). Resistance to one or more of the following diseases or pests may be introduced into plants described herein: Colletotrichum orbiculare (Anthracnose), Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Downy Mildew), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fusarium Wilt), Didymella bryoniae (Gummy Stem Blight), Podosphaera xanthii (Powdery Mildew), Verticillium sp. (Verticillium Wilt), Squash Mosaic Virus, Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV), Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRWV-W), Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV), Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV), Macrophomina phaseolina (Charcoal Rot), Monosporascus cannonballus (Monosporascus Vine Decline), Sunburn, Root Knot, and/or Bemisia tabaci (Silverleaf Whitefly). Other resistance genes, against pathogenic viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects or other pests may also be introduced.

[0148] Genetic transformation may, therefore, be used to insert a selected transgene into the watermelon plants of the disclosure described herein or may, alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenic watermelon plants which can be used as a source of the transgene(s), which can be introduced into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by e.g., backcrossing. A genetic trait which has been engineered into the genome of a particular watermelon plant may then be moved into the genome of another watermelon plant (e.g., another variety) using traditional breeding techniques which are well-known in the art. For example, backcrossing is commonly used to move a transgene from a transformed watermelon variety into an already developed watermelon variety and the resulting backcross conversion plant will then comprise the transgene(s).

[0149] Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species or from the same species, which are inserted into the genome using transformation, are referred to herein collectively as transgenes. A transgene also encompasses antisense, or sense and antisense sequences capable of gene silencing. Thus, the disclosure also relates to transgenic plants of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. In some aspects, a transgenic plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW may contain at least one transgene but could also contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or more transgenes.

[0150] Plant transformation involves the construction of an expression vector which will function in plant cells. Such a vector comprises DNA comprising a gene under control of, or operatively linked to a regulatory element active in plant cells (e.g., promoter). The expression vector may contain one or more such operably linked gene/regulatory element combinations. The vector may be in the form of a plasmid and can be used alone or in combination with other plasmids to provide transformed watermelon plants using transformation methods to incorporate transgenes into the genetic material of the watermelon plant(s). Transformation can be carried out using standard methods, such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation, electroporation, biolistics particle delivery system, or microprojectile bombardment, followed by selection of the transformed cells and regeneration into plants.

[0151] Plants can also be genetically engineered, modified, or manipulated to express various phenotypes of horticultural interest. Through the transformation of watermelon, the expression of genes can be altered to enhance disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance, stress tolerance, horticultural quality, and other traits. Transformation can also be used to insert DNA sequences which control or help control male sterility or fertility restoration. DNA sequences native to watermelon as well as non-native DNA sequences can be transformed into watermelon and used to alter levels of native or non-native proteins. Various promoters, targeting sequences, enhancing sequences, and other DNA sequences can be inserted into the genome for the purpose of altering the expression of proteins. Reduction of the specific activity of specific genes (also known as gene silencing or gene suppression) is desirable for several aspects of genetic engineering in plants.

[0152] Genome editing is another method recently developed to genetically engineer plants. Specific modification of chromosomal loci or targeted mutation can be done through sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs) by introducing a targeted DNA double strand break in the locus to be altered. Examples of SSNs that have been applied to plants are: finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), engineered homing endonucleases or meganucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), see, e.g., Songstad, et. al., Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 2017, 36:1, 1-23.

[0153] Thus, the disclosure also provides a method of producing a watermelon plant having a desired trait comprising mutating the plant or plant part of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and selecting a plant comprising the desired trait, wherein the mutated plant retains all or all but one, two, or three of the morphological and physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW, and contains the desired trait and wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315. In a further aspect, the transformation or mutation confers a trait wherein the trait is yield, storage properties, color, flavor, male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified protein metabolism, or occurs in the intense gene.

[0154] The disclosure also provides a method for inducing a mutation in watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW comprising: [0155] 1. exposing the seed, plant, plant part, or cell of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW to a mutagenic compound or to radiation, wherein a representative sample of seed of said watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315; [0156] 2. selecting the seed, plant, plant part, or cell of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW having a mutation; and [0157] 3. optionally growing and/or multiplying the seed, plant or plant part or cell of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW having the mutation.

[0158] The disclosure also provides a method of producing a watermelon plant having a desired trait, wherein the method comprises transforming the watermelon plant with a transgene that confers the desired trait, wherein the transformed plant otherwise retains all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW and contains the desired trait. Thus, a transgenic watermelon plant is provided which is produced by the method described above, wherein the plant otherwise has all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and the desired trait.

[0159] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of producing a progeny of plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW further comprising a desired trait, said method comprising transforming the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with at least one transgene that confers the desired trait and/or crossing the plant of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with a transgenic watermelon plant comprising a desired transgene so that the genetic material of the progeny that resulted from the cross contains the desired transgene(s). Also encompassed is the progeny produced by this method.

[0160] A desired trait (e.g., gene(s) conferring pest or disease resistance, or tolerance for protection, etc.) can be introduced into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, or progeny of said variety, by transforming said variety or progeny of said variety with a transgene that confers the desired trait, wherein the transformed plant retains all or all but one, two or three of the morphological and/or physiological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW and contains the desired trait. In another aspect, the transformation or mutation confers a trait wherein the trait is yield, storage properties, color, flavor, male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified protein metabolism or occurs in the intense gene. In a particular aspect, the specific transgene may be any known in the art or listed herein, including, a polynucleotide sequence conferring resistance to imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, triazine, benzonitrile, cyclohexanedione, phenoxy proprionic acid and L-phosphinothricin or a polynucleotide conferring resistance Colletotrichum orbiculare (Anthracnose), Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Downy Mildew), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fusarium Wilt), Didymella bryoniae (Gummy Stem Blight), Podosphaera xanthii (Powdery Mildew), Verticillium sp. (Verticillium Wilt), Squash Mosaic Virus, Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV), Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRWV-W), Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV), Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV), Macrophomina phaseolina (Charcoal Rot), Monosporascus cannonballus (Monosporascus Vine Decline), Sunburn, Root Knot, and/or Bemisia tabaci (Silverleaf Whitefly). Other resistance genes, against pathogenic viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects or other pests may also be introduced.

[0161] By crossing and/or selfing, (one or more) single traits may be introduced into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW (e.g., using backcrossing breeding schemes), while retaining the remaining morphological and physiological characteristics of said variety and/or while retaining one or more or all distinguishing characteristics. A single trait converted plant may thereby be produced. For example, disease resistance genes may be introduced, genes responsible for one or more quality traits, yield, etc. Both single genes (e.g., dominant or recessive) and one or more QTLs (quantitative trait loci) may be transferred into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by breeding with said variety.

[0162] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of introducing a single locus conversion or single trait conversion or a desired trait into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising introducing a single locus conversion in at least one of the parents of variety NUN 32206 WMW; and crossing the converted parent with the other parent of variety NUN 32206 WMW, to obtain seed of said variety.

[0163] In another aspect, the step of introducing a single locus conversion, single trait conversion, or desired trait in at least one of the parent plants comprises: [0164] 1. crossing the parental line of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with a second watermelon plant comprising the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait; [0165] 2. selecting F1 progeny plants that contain the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait; [0166] 3. crossing said selected progeny plants of step b) with the parental line of step a), to produce a backcross progeny plant; [0167] 4. selecting backcross progeny plants comprising the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait and otherwise all or all but one, two or three of the morphological and physiological characteristics the parental line of step a) to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and [0168] 5. optionally repeating steps c) and d) one or more times in succession to produce selected second, third or fourth or higher backcross progeny plants comprising the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait and otherwise all or all but one, two or three of the morphological and physiological characteristics the parental line of step a) to produce selected backcross progeny plants, when grown in the same environmental conditions.

[0169] The disclosure further relates to plants obtained by this method.

[0170] In another aspect, introducing a single locus conversion in at least one of the parent plants comprises: [0171] 1. obtaining a cell or tissue culture of cells of the parental line of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW; [0172] 2. genetically transforming or mutating said cells; [0173] 3. growing the cells into a plant; and [0174] 4. optionally selecting plants that contain the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait.

[0175] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of introducing a single locus conversion or single trait conversion or a desired trait into watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW comprising: [0176] 1. obtaining a combination of a parental lines of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, optionally through reverse synthesis of breeding lines; [0177] 2. introducing a single locus conversion in at least one of the parents of step a; and [0178] 3. crossing the converted parent with the other parent of step a to obtain seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0179] In another method, the step of introducing a single locus conversion in at least one of the parents comprises genetically transforming or mutating cells the parental line of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW; growing the cells into a plant; and optionally selecting plants that contain the single locus conversion, the single trait conversion or the desired trait.

[0180] In any of the above methods, where the single locus conversion concerns a trait, the trait may be yield or pest resistance or disease resistance. In one aspect, the trait is disease and the resistance is conferred to Colletotrichum orbiculare (Anthracnose), Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Downy Mildew), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fusarium Wilt), Didymella bryoniae (Gummy Stem Blight), Podosphaera xanthii (Powdery Mildew), Verticillium sp. (Verticillium Wilt), Squash Mosaic Virus, Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV), Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRWV-W), Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV), Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV), Macrophomina phaseolina (Charcoal Rot), Monosporascus cannonballus (Monosporascus Vine Decline), Sunburn, Root Knot, and/or Bemisia tabaci (Silverleaf Whitefly). Other resistance genes against pathogenic viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects or other pests may also be introduced.

[0181] The disclosure also provides a plant having one, two, or three physiological and/or morphological characteristics which are different from those of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and which otherwise has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of said variety, wherein a representative sample of seed of said variety has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315. In particular, variants which differ from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW in no, one, two, or three of the characteristics mentioned in Table 1 are encompassed.

[0182] The disclosure also provides a plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, a sample of seed has been deposited under Accession Number NCIMB 44315, optionally further comprising a single locus conversion. In another aspect, the single locus conversion confers a trait wherein the trait is yield, storage, color, flavor, male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified protein metabolism, or ripening.

[0183] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a haploid plant and/or a doubled haploid plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, or a plant having all but one, two, or three physiological and/or morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW, or progeny of any of these. Haploid and doubled haploid (DH) plants can, for example, be produced by cell or tissue culture and chromosome doubling agents and regeneration into a whole plant. DH production chromosome doubling may be induced using known methods, such as colchicine treatment or the like. In one aspect, the method comprises inducing a cell or tissue culture with a chromosome doubling agent and regenerating the cells or tissues into a whole plant.

[0184] In another aspect, the disclosure comprises a method for making doubled haploid cells of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising making doubled haploid cells from haploid cells from the plant or plant part of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW with a chromosome doubling agent such as colchicine treatment (see, e.g., Nikolova and Niemirowicz-Szczytt (1996) Acta Soc Bot Pol 65:311-317).

[0185] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for haploid plants and/or doubled haploid plants derived from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW that, when combined, make a set of parents of variety NUN 32206 WMW. The haploid plant and/or the doubled haploid plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW can be used in a method for generating parental lines of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0186] The disclosure also provides methods for determining the identity of parental lines of plants described herein, in particular the identity of the female line. US2015/0126380, which is hereby incorporated by reference, relates to a non-destructive method for analyzing maternal DNA of a seed. In this method, the DNA is dislodged from the seed coat surface and can be used to collect information on the genome of the maternal parent of the seed. This method for analyzing maternal DNA of a seed comprises contacting a seed with a fluid to dislodge DNA from the seed coat surface, and analyzing the DNA thus dislodged from the seed coat surface using methods known in the art. The skilled person is thus able to determine whether a seed has grown on a plant of a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW or is a progeny of said variety, because the seed coat of the seed is a maternal tissue genetically identical to variety NUN 32206 WMW. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a maternal tissue of variety NUN 32206 WMW. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a watermelon seed comprising a maternal tissue of variety NUN 32206 WMW. In another particular aspect, the disclosure provides a method of identifying the female parental line of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW by analyzing the seed coat of a seed of that variety. In another aspect, the skilled person can determine whether a seed is grown on watermelon NUN 32206 WMW by analyzing the seed coat or another maternal tissue of said seed.

[0187] Using methods known in the art such as reverse synthesis of breeding lines or reverse breeding, it is possible to produce parental lines for a hybrid plant such as watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. A skilled person can take any individual heterozygous plant (called a phenotypically superior plant in Example 2 of US2015/0245570 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is such a plant) and generate a combination of parental lines (reverse breeding parental lines) that, when crossed, produce the variety NUN 32206 WMW. It is not necessary that the reverse breeding parental lines are identical to the original parental lines. Such new breeding methods are based on the segregation of individual alleles in the spores produced by a desired plant and/or in the progeny derived from the self-pollination of that desired plant, and on the subsequent identification of suitable progeny plants in one generation, or in a limited number of inbred cycles. Such a method is known from US2015/0245570 or from Wijnker et al., Nature Protocols Volume: 9, Pages: 761-772 (2014) DOI: doi:10.1038/nprot.2014.049. Thus, the disclosure provides a method for producing parental lines for a hybrid organism (e.g., watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW), comprising in one aspect: a) defining a set of genetic markers present in a heterozygous form (H) in a partially heterozygous starting organism; b) producing doubled haploid lines from spores of the starting organism; c) genetically characterizing the doubled haploid lines thus obtained for the said set of genetic markers to determine whether they are present in a first homozygous form (A) or in a second homozygous form (B); and d) selecting at least one pair of doubled haploid lines that have complementary alleles for at least a subset of the genetic markers, wherein each member of the pair is suitable as a parental line for the hybrid organism.

[0188] In another aspect, the method for producing parental lines for hybrid organisms, e.g., of NUN 32206 WMW, which when crossed reconstitute the genome of NUN 32206 WMW, comprising: [0189] 1. defining a set of genetic markers that are present in a first homozygous form (H) in a partially heterozygous starting organism; [0190] 2. producing at least one further generation from the starting organism by self-pollination (e.g., F2 or F3 generation); [0191] 3. selecting at least one pair of progeny organisms in which at least one genetic marker from the set is present in a complementary homozygous forms (B vs. A, or A vs. B); and [0192] 4. optionally repeating steps b) and c) until at least one pair of progeny organisms that have complementary alleles for at least a subset of the genetic markers has been selected as parental lines for a hybrid.

[0193] The disclosure relates to a method of producing a combination of parental lines of a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW, comprising making doubled haploid cells from haploid cells from said plant or a seed of that plant; and optionally crossing these parental lines to produce and collecting seeds. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a combination of parental lines produced by this method. In still another aspect, the combination of parental lines can be used to produce a seed or plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW when these parental lines are crossed. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a combination of parental lines from which a seed or plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW (when the characteristics are determined at the 5% significance level for plants grown under the same environmental conditions).

[0194] The disclosure also provides a combination of parental lines which, when crossed, produce a seed or plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW but one, two or three characteristics which are different (when grown under the same environmental conditions), as well as a seed or plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW but one, two or three characteristics which are different (when the characteristics are determined at the 5% significance level for plants grown under the same environmental conditions).

[0195] In another aspect, a combination of a male and a female parental line of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW can be generated by methods described herein, for example, through reverse synthesis of breeding lines.

[0196] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of determining the genotype of a plant described herein comprising detecting in the genome (e.g., a sample of nucleic acids) of the plant at least a first polymorphism or an allele. The skilled person is familiar with many suitable methods of genotyping, detecting a polymorphism or detecting an allele including SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) genotyping, restriction fragment length polymorphism identification (RFLP) of genomic DNA, random amplified polymorphic detection (RAPD) of genomic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism detection (AFLP), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes, and hybridization to DNA microarrays or beads. Alternatively, the entire genome could be sequenced. The method may, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality of polymorphisms in the genome of the plant, for example by obtaining a sample of nucleic acid from a plant and detecting in said nucleic acids a plurality of polymorphisms. The method may further comprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality of polymorphisms on a computer readable medium.

[0197] Also provided is a plant part of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or from progeny of said variety or from a plant having all physiological and/or morphological characteristics but one, two, or three which are different from those of said variety) or from a vegetatively propagated plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or from its progeny or from a plant having all or all but one, two, or three of the physiological and morphological characteristics which are different from those of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW), wherein said plant part is a fruit, a harvested fruit, a part of a fruit, a leaf, a part of a leaf, pollen, an ovule, a cell, a petiole, a shoot or a part thereof, a stem or a part thereof, a root or a part thereof, a root tip, a cutting, a seed, a part of a seed, seed coat or another maternal tissue which is part of a seed grown on said variety, a hypocotyl, cotyledon, a scion, a stock, a rootstock, a pistil, an anther, and a flower or a part thereof.

[0198] A part of the plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW (or of progeny of said variety or of a plant having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics but one, two, or three which are different from those of said variety) encompasses any cells, tissues, organs obtainable from the seedlings or plants, such as but not limited to: a watermelon fruit or a part thereof, a cutting, a hypocotyl, a cotyledon, seed coat, or pollen.

[0199] Such a plant part of variety NUN 32206 WMW can be stored and/or processed further. The disclosure thus also provides for a food or feed product comprising one or more of such parts from watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW or from progeny of said variety, or from a derived variety, such as a plant having all but one, two, or three physiological and/or morphological characteristics of variety NUN 32206 WMW. Preferably, the plant part is a watermelon fruit or part thereof and/or an extract from a fruit or another plant part described herein comprising at least one cell of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. The food or feed product may be fresh or processed, e.g., dried, grinded, powdered, pickled, chopped, cooked, roasted, in a sauce, in a sandwich, pasted, pured or concentrated, juiced, pickled, canned, steamed, boiled, fried, blanched and/or frozen, etc.

[0200] In another aspect, the disclosure provides for a watermelon fruit of variety NUN 32206 WMW, or a part of a fruit of said variety. The fruit can be in any stage of maturity, for example, immature or mature. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for a container comprising or consisting of a plurality of harvested watermelon fruits or parts of fruits of said variety, or fruits of progeny thereof, or fruits of a derived variety.

[0201] Marketable fruits are generally sorted by size and quality after harvest. Alternatively, the fruits can be sorted by expected shelf life, pH or Brix.

[0202] In another aspect, the plant, plant part or seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is inside a container, for example, containers such as cans, boxes, crates, bags, cartons, Modified Atmosphere Packaging, films (e.g., biodegradable films), etc. comprising a plant or a plant part (fresh and/or processed) or a seed of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. In a particular aspect, the container comprises a plurality of seeds, or a plurality of plant parts of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0203] In another aspect, a seed or a plurality of seeds of said variety are packaged into a container of any size or type (e.g., bags, cartons, cans, etc.). The seed may be disinfected, primed and/or treated with various compounds, such as seed coatings or crop protection compounds. The seed produces a plant of variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0204] Watermelons may also be grown for use as rootstocks (stocks) or scions. Typically, different types of watermelons are grafted to enhance disease resistance, which is usually conferred by the rootstock, while retaining the horticultural qualities usually conferred by the scion. It is not uncommon for grafting to occur between cultivated watermelon varieties and related watermelon species. Methods of grafting and vegetative propagation are well-known in the art.

[0205] In another aspect, the disclosure provides to a plant comprising a rootstock or scion of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW.

[0206] All documents (e.g., patent publications) are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, including the following cited references: [0207] Naktuinbouw, Calibration Manual: DUS Test for Watermelon (Citrillus lanatus), 2017. [0208] UPOV, Guidelines for the Conduct of Tests for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability, TG142/5, world-wide web at upov.int/edocs/tgdocs/en/tg142.pdf. [0209] US Department of Agriculture, Objective Description of VarietyWatermelon (Citrullus lanatus), world-wide web at ams.usda.gov/under services/plant-variety-protection/pvpo-c-forms under watermelon. [0210] Compton, M., et al., Use of Tissue Culture and Biotechnology for the Genetic Improvement of Watermelon, Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 2004, vol. 77, pp. 231-243. [0211] Eigsti, O., About our Cover, HortScience, 1971, vol. 6, pp. 1-2. [0212] Hayata, Y., et. al., Synthetic Cytokinin-1-(2=chloro=4=pyridyl)-3-phenylurea (CPPU)-Promotes Fruit Set and Induces Parthenocarpy in Watermelon, Society of Horticultural Science, 1995, vol. 120(6), pp. 997-1000. [0213] Kihara, H., Triploid Watermelon, Proceedings of American Society for Horticultural Science, 1951, vol. 58, pp. 217-230. [0214] Moussa, H., et. al., Parthenocarpy of Watermelon Cultivars Induced by -Irradiation, Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2010, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 574-581. [0215] Parvathaneni, R. K., et al., Fingerprinting in Cucumber and Melon (Cucumis spp.) genotypes Using Morphological and ISSR Markers, Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 2011, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 39-43. DOI No. 10.1007/s12892-010-0080-1. [0216] Rice, P., et al., EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Trends in Genetics, 2000, vol. 16, Issue 6. pp. 276-277. [0217] Vidavsky, F., et. al., Tomato Breeding Lines Resistant and Tolerant to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Issued from Lycopersicum hirsutum, The American Phytopathology Society, 1998, vol. 88, no. 9, pp. 910-914. [0218] Vos, P., et al., AFLP: A New Technique for DNA Fingerprinting, Nucleic Acids Research, 1995, vol. 23(21), pp. 4407-4414. [0219] Wijnker, E., et al., Hybrid Recreation by Reverse breeding in Arabidopsis thaliana, Nature Protocols, 2014, vol. 9, pp. 761-772. DOI: doi: 10.1038/nprot.2014.049 [0220] U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,637 [0221] US2015/0126380 [0222] US2015/0245570 [0223] US2006/0168701

Development of Watermelon Variety NUN 32206 WMW

[0224] The hybrid NUN 32206 WMW was developed from a male and female proprietary inbred line of Nunhems. The female and male parents were crossed to produce hybrid (F1) seeds of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW. The seeds of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW can be grown to produce hybrid plants and parts thereof (e.g., watermelon fruit). The hybrid watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively.

[0225] The hybrid variety is uniform and genetically stable. This has been established through evaluation of horticultural characteristics. Several hybrid seed production events resulted in no observable deviation in genetic stability. Coupled with the confirmation of genetic stability of the female and male parents the Applicant has concluded that watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is uniform and stable.

Deposit Information

[0226] A total of 2500 seeds of the hybrid variety NUN 32206 WMW has been deposited according to the Budapest Treaty by Nunhems B. V. on Dec. 12, 2023, at the NCIMB Ltd., Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, United Kingdom (NCIMB). The deposit has been assigned Accession Number NCIMB 44315. A statement indicating the viability of the sample has been provided. A deposit of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and of the male and female parent line is also maintained at Nunhems B. V. The seed lot number for watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW is 33546602002.

[0227] The deposit will be maintained in NCIMB for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent whichever is longer and will be replaced if it ever becomes nonviable during that period. Access to the deposits will be available during the pendency of this application to persons determined by the Director of the U.S. Patent Office to be entitled thereto upon request. Subject to 37 C.F.R. 1.808(b), all restrictions imposed by the depositor on the availability to the public of the deposited material will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of the patent. Applicant does not waive any rights granted under this patent on this application or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.). Accordingly, the requirements of 37 CFR 1.801-1.809 have been satisfied.

Characteristics of Watermelon Variety NUN 32206 WMW

[0228] The most similar variety to NUN 32206 WMW refers to variety Proxima, a commercial variety from Origene.

[0229] In Table 1, a comparison between watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW and the Reference variety is shown based on a trial in the USA in 2024. Trial location: Esparto, California, USA.

[0230] One replication of 20 plants per variety, from which at least 15 plants or plant parts were randomly selected and were used to measure characteristics. For numerical characteristics, averages were calculated. For non-numerical characteristics, the type/degree were determined. Similarity and differences between two different plant lines or varieties can be determined by comparing the number of morphological and/or physiological characteristics (e.g., characteristics as listed in Table 1) that are the same (i.e., statistically not significantly different) or that are different (i.e., statistically significantly different) between the two plant lines or varieties using plants grown under the same environmental conditions. A numerical characteristic is considered to be the same when the value for a numeric characteristic is not significantly different at the 1% (p<0.01) or 5% (p<0.05) significance level, using T-test, a standard method known to the skilled person. A non-numerical or degree or type characteristic is considered the same when the values have the same degree or type when scored using USDA and/or UPOV descriptors, for plants are grown under the same environmental conditions.

[0231] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a watermelon plant having the physiological and morphological characteristics of watermelon variety NUN 32206 WMW as presented in Table 1 when grown under the same environmental conditions.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristics of Watermelon Variety NUN 32206 WMW Characteristics NUN 32206 WMW Type: Mini seedless Fruit Type: Round Oblong, Round Large, Round Small (Icebox), Other (Specify) Days Relative Maturity: 77 days Maturity category: medium early, medium, late Ploidy: Triploid diploid, tetraploid, triploid Plant: Plant Sex Form: Monoecious monoecious, andromonoecious Cotyledon - intensity of green color: light, Medium medium, dark Flower: Time of female flowering: Medium very early, early, medium, late, very late Mature fruit: Fruit shape: Round round, oval, cylindrical Skin color pattern: Stripe solid (one color), stripe, mottle/net Primary color: Light green yellow green, light green, medium green, dark green, other Secondary color: Medium green yellow green, light green, medium green, dark green, other Waxy layer: Weak absent or very weak, weak, medium, strong Rind: Rind Texture: Tough tender, brittle, tough Flesh: Flesh Texture: Very crisp crisp, soft Main color of flesh: Red white, yellow, orange, pink, red, dark red