Articles
A NEW METHOD FOR PRODUCING DIPLOID SEEDLESS WATERMELON
Article number
588_34
Pages
223 – 226
Language
English
Abstract
We have developed a new method for producing seedless watermelon in diploid plants using soft-X-irradiated pollen.
Watermelons that result from pollination with pollen irradiated with 800 Gy or more contain only empty seeds.
Diploid seedless watermelon was similar to normal fruit in size, shape, color, rind thickness, sugar content and days to maturity.
However, the sugar content of seedless fruits was higher than that of normal fruits.
The use of soft-X-irradiated pollen resulted in normal penetration of pollen tube into the synergid cell and discharge of sperm cells.
Subsequently, the egg nucleus and sperm nucleus attached to each other in the egg cell and a globular embryo was formed.
However, the embryo failed to differentiate to organ tissue and degenerated.
Watermelons that result from pollination with pollen irradiated with 800 Gy or more contain only empty seeds.
Diploid seedless watermelon was similar to normal fruit in size, shape, color, rind thickness, sugar content and days to maturity.
However, the sugar content of seedless fruits was higher than that of normal fruits.
The use of soft-X-irradiated pollen resulted in normal penetration of pollen tube into the synergid cell and discharge of sperm cells.
Subsequently, the egg nucleus and sperm nucleus attached to each other in the egg cell and a globular embryo was formed.
However, the embryo failed to differentiate to organ tissue and degenerated.
Publication
Authors
K. Sugiyama, M. Morishita
Keywords
Citrullus lanatus, parthenocarpy, X-ray, irradiation, embryo, pollination.
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