Photoautotrophic Micropropagation of Triploid Melon. I: Sucrose, Light, and CO2 Affect Growth and Net Photosynthetic Rates of Shoot Buds

Abstract

Growth and net photosynthetic rates of shoots of a triploid melon clone, `(L-14 × B) × L-14', were observed over 21 days following transfer from a multiplication MS medium containing 3% sucrose and 10 μM BA to a shoot development medium containing 1 μM BA at varying levels of sucrose in the medium (0%, 1%, and 3%), and light (50, 100, and 150 PPF) and CO2 (500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) in the headspace. Largest numbers of shoot buds were observed in media with 3% sucrose. Increased light and CO2 had a positive interactive effect. Fresh and dry weights were greatest at highest levels of sucrose, light, and CO2. Although there was less growth in the absence of sucrose, fresh or dry weight of shoot buds grown without sucrose in the media still doubled over the 21 days of culture. Net photosynthetic rates of buds were negative 4 days after initiation of culture and approximately zero after 20 days of treatment. When transferring buds to fresh, sugar-free media, net photosynthetic rates became highly positive. Buds that had been cultured in the absence of sucrose and at highest light levels had the highest net photosynthesis rates upon transfer to fresh, sugar-free media.