Effects of Induced Polyploidy in Cucumbers1

Abstract

Abstract Autotetraploid cucumbers were induced by soaking diploid seed in solutions of colchicine. Triploids were made by reciprocal crosses between diploids and tetraploids. The fruit yield of the polyploids was approx 1/2 that of diploids. The fertility of the tetraploid plants as measured by viable seed was approx 1/5 that of diploids. The reduced seed yields of tetraploids appeared to be due to reduced no. of functional male gametes and genic factors. Differences in seed yields were measured among tetraploid lines. Tetraploid by diploid crosses were extremely infertile in either direction.