Effect of BAP and IAA on shoot regeneration in cotyledonary explants of Costa Rican melon genotypes

Abstract

Cultured cotyledon explants of OSO-1, OSO-2, OSO-3, PQRG-1, PQRG-2, PQRG-3, and EM-1 "criollo" melon (Cucumis melo L) genotypes were evaluated with regard to their morphogenic response to combinations of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg.l^-1) with indolacetic acid (IAA) (0, 0.05 and 0.5 mg.l^-1). Regardless of BAP and IAA concentration in the shoot induction medium, the highest shoot formation percentages were obtained using EM-1 > OSO-1 > PQRG-3 > OSO- 2 > PQRG-2 > PQRG-1 > OSO-3. On the other hand, independently of the genotype, the shoot induction medium supplemented with 0.5 mg.l^-1 BAP and 0.05 mg.l^-1 IAA or 1 mg.l^-1 BAP and 0 IAA mg.l^-1 resulted in the highest average of shoots. Culture of cotyledons of the genotypes evaluated on induction medium supplemented with different BAP and IAA resulted in a different response. The in vitro culture protocol developed in this study will be useful in micropropagation of "criollo" melon genotypes.