Effect of different irradiation sources and doses on haploid embryo induction in Altinbas (Cucumis melo L. var. inodorus) melons

Authors: BARIŞ DAL, NEBAHAT SARI, İLKNUR SOLMAZ

Abstract: In vivo induction of parthenogenesis using an irradiated pollen technique provides successful results in melon and accelerates breeding by shortening the time for obtaining 100% homozygous lines. Gamma rays (cobalt-60) are usually used for the pollen irradiation, although it is difficult to find a suitable source for irradiation. Haploid technology is widely used in melon breeding programs, so there is a need to find alternative sources for pollen irradiation. This study was performed to compare the efficiency of different irradiation sources to induce haploid embryos. One dose of cobalt-60 (300 Gy), two different doses (200 Gy and 300 Gy) of cesium-137, and two different doses (200 Gy and 300 Gy) of X-ray were used for the irradiation of melon pollen. All irradiation sources were efficient for fruit set, while the highest fruit set (60.38%) was obtained from 200 Gy cesium-137 and the lowest (20.01%) was obtained from 300 Gy X-ray. A total of 2294 haploid embryos were rescued, of which 2052 regenerated into plants. The number of rescued haploid embryos per fruit ranged between 8.77 (300 Gy cobalt-60) and 4.23 (200 Gy X-ray). The highest regeneration rate of haploid embryos into plants was 92.56% (300 Gy cobalt-60) and the lowest was 61.86 % (200 Gy cesium-137).

Keywords: Cesium-137, cobalt-60, embryo rescue, haploid plant, X-ray

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