The effect of plant growth regulators on callogenesis and gametic embryogenesis from anther culture of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

ABSTRACT: In this study, the effect of plant growth regulators on callogenesis and gametic embryogenesis from anther cultures of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was investigated. A factorial experiment based on Completely Randomized Design with three replications was used in this study. Two cultivars of cucumber (Beta Alfa and Esfahani) were used as first factor and 11 hormone treatments including: control (without hormone) , two concentrations of 2,4-D (2 and 5 µM), two concentrations of NAA (2 and 5 µM), three concentrations of BAP (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 µM) in combination with 2,4-D (2 µM) and finally three concentrations of kinetin (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 µM) in combination with 2,4-D (2 µM) were considered as second factor. Results showed significant differences among the various types and concentrations of plant growth regulators for callogenesis and gametic embryogenesis from anther cultures of two cucumber cultivars. Use of 2,4-D (2 ?M) in combination with 1.5 ?M Kinitine showed the highest callogenesis percentage in cultured anthers of Esfahani cultivar. Application of 2-4-D (2 ?M) in combination with 1.0 and 0.5 ?M BAP in Esfahani cultivar and also use of 2-4-D (2 ?M) combined with 1.0 ?M BAP and 1.5 ?M Kinitine in Beta Alfa cultivar produced the highest embryogenic calli. Furthermore, the highest mean number of embryo per anther obtained with combined use of 2 ?M 2-4-D and 1.0 ?M BAP in both cucumber cultivars.