DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMBRYOGENIC SUSPENSION CULTURE IN CUCUMIS MELO

Efficient somatic embryogenesis simplifies proliferation and gene transforma¬tion of many plants.
A system for induction of direct somatic embryogenesis via suspension cultures in an Iranian melon cultivar (Khatooni) was optimized.
Somatic embryos were induced from quiescent seed cotyledons on liquid MS basal medium supplemented with some osmotic materials.
Effect of PEG 6000, PEG 4000, glucose and sucrose were evaluated on induction of somatic embryos.
The excised cotyledons were cultured in liquid media and cultures were placed on a gyratory shaker (115 rpm) for two weeks and then crossed through 50 μM metal mesh.
The caught embryos were eventually moved on a solid MS medium for further growth and maturation.
The number of induced embryos was significantly different in various osmotic materials.
The best result was obtained from medium supplemented with 60 g/L PEG 6000. A large number of cotyledonary somatic embryos (approximately 100 embryos from each explant) were produced in this treatment while the number of embryos in glucose and sucrose treatments was less than 30 for each explant.
Using the PEG, suggested a quick and efficient way for direct induction of somatic embryogenesis in melon.

IV International Symposium on Cucurbits

H. Asad, M. Lotfi, K. Vahdati

direct somatic embryogenesis, melon, osmotic, propagation

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.871.76