SHORT COMMUNICATION Factors Affecting Protoplast Culture ofCucumis melo‘Green Delica’

Abstract

Hypocotyls, cotyledons and etiolated half-expanded leaves ofCucumis melo‘Green Delica’ were used as explants for protoplast isolation and culture. Protoplasts isolated from cotyledons and etiolated half-expanded leaves cultured in Durand, Potrykus and Donn (DPD) medium supplemented with 0.9 μmbenzylaminopurine (BAP), 3.6 μm2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1% sucrose, using the agarose bead culture method, were able to form cell walls and subsequently go through cell division. Pretreatment of half-expanded leaf explants in the dark for 14 d provided the best material for protoplast isolation and cell division. Approximately one third of protoplasts from etiolated half-expanded leaves formed microcolonies. For hypocotyl protoplasts, none of the treatments used were suitable to induce cell division. There was no significant difference between sucrose, glucose, and sucrose plus glucose, in culture media on the plating efficiency of leaf protoplasts ofC. melo‘Green Delica’; however, bigger colonies were formed in media supplemented with 1% sucrose. No shoot or whole plant regeneration was achieved. However, the methods reported here provide further information onC. meloprotoplast culture.