Tendrils as an Alternate Tissue Source for Chromosome Visualization

Abstract

Tendrils were used as an alternate tissue source to determine the ploidy level of transgenic melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants. Young tendril tips were prepared for chromosome visualization using standard root tip preparation techniques. Well-spread chromosome preparations were obtained. Tendrils were found to be as amenable to chromosome visualization as root tips. The transformed melon plants, representing three transgenic melon lines, were tetraploid. The tendril technique also was applied successfully to several other tendril-producing species: cucumber (C. sativus L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and grape (Vitis vinifera L.). This technique can be very useful for chromosome visualization in tendril-producing species, and can be especially valuable when root tips or anthers cannot be obtained easily.