The project applied the latest sequencing technology to uncover the genomic code of cucumber for the first time, and identified the important trait genes that control the fruit's size and bitterness. The discoveries open a new era for molecular assistant breeding of cucumbers, and make China a world leader in vegetable genomics research. The project found nine bitterness biosynthetic genes and their regulators in cucumber. The "Shuyan" series cultivated in the project successfully solved the severe problem that cucumbers would turn bitter and thereby lose their commodity value. The total promotion area of "Shuyan" series reaches about 66,700 hectares, which have created nearly 8 billion yuan ($1.16 billion) of economic value and achieved remarkable social benefits.
Cultivation and promotion of new cucumber varieties featuring high yield and non-bitterness in southern