In vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration potentials in some snake melon accessions collected from different regions in Egypt

Abstract

Several snake melon genotypes are grown in different locations in Egypt. However, the relationships and the degree of relatness among these genotypes are not well documented. This study was carried out with the aim to classify different Egyptian snake melon genotypes based on the in vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration potential. Nine snake melon accessions (acc.) were collected from different regions in Egypt, including acc.3 (Damietta), acc.7 (Bany Swief), acc.8 (Fayoum), acc.9 (Giza), acc.11 (Menia), acc.14 (Sohag), acc. 15 (Behaira-Wady Elnatron), acc. 17 (Ismailia) and acc. 18 (Behaira-Badr Center). Twenty seeds from each accession were sterilized and cultured in vitro on MS medium basal salt and vitamins for 4 weeks. Segments (4x4mm each) from cotyledon were used as explants and cultured on MS medium amended with 2.0 mg/L TDZ for callus induction. The formed callus was sub cultured onto MS medium amended with 3.0 mg/L BA+4ml Hyaluronic acid for shoot regeneration. Results indicated that the degree of callus formation was different among the different accessions. Based on callus growth potential measured as fresh weight, snake melon accessions could be ranked as: acc.9> acc.18> acc.3= acc.11> acc.17> acc.15> acc.8= acc.14> acc.7. Significant differences among the accessions were also observed for their shoot regeneration potential from callus. The highest number of shoots per explant was recorded in acc. 18 (ave.12.6 shoots), followed by acc.9, 11, and 7 which produced an average of 10.8, 10.4, and 9.8 shoots, respectively. Results suggested that snake melon genotypes with high callus induction had also high regeneration capacity. In addition, these accessions could have different genetic background, which might help in future breeding programs to improve plant and agronomic traits. The current in vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration technique in snake melon will also aid in future effort for germplasm preservation of accessions with unique characteristics.