In vitro regeneration from cotyledon explants in figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché), a rootstock for Cucurbitaceae

Abstract

An efficient plant regeneration system has been developed for figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche), which is exclusively used as a rootstock for cucumber. The protocol is based on results obtained from a series of culture experiments involving different parts of the cotyledons and various media. The culture of cotyledon explants was critical for the enhancement of shoot regeneration frequency. The lower parts of the cotyledon excised at the plumule base were found to display a markedly enhanced production of adventitious shoots compared to other cotyledon regions. Culture in silver nitrate-supplemented Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was not beneficial for shoot regeneration and suppressed root regeneration. Efficient shoot regeneration was obtained on MS medium containing 1.0 mg l−1 zeatin and 0.1 mg l−1 indole-3-acetic acid. Regenerated shoots successfully elongated and rooted in medium containing 0.1 mg l−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid after 10–15 days of subculturing. The plantlets were satisfactorily acclimatized in a greenhouse and grew into normal plants without any morphological alterations.