Biotechnological methods utilized in Cucumis research - A review

Abstract

Navrátilová B., Skálová D., Ondřej V., Kitner M., Lebeda A., 2011. Biotechnological methods utilized in Cucumis research -A review. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 38: 150-158.Our biotechnological research on selected Cucumis species has encompassed interspecific hybridization via embryorescue, in vitro pollination, somatic hybridization and cytogenetics of protoplasts. Embryo-rescue and in vitro pollination are suitable in vitro techniques for production of hybrid embryos. These methods were tested and optimized for cucurbits. Protoplast culture is another valuable tool for biotechnological applications, such as somatic hybridization and genetic transformation. We study protoplast dedifferentiation not only as a biotechnological application in breeding systems, but mainly to describe mechanisms of obtaining totipotency. Protoplasts of cucurbits were studied cytogenetically to observe changes in nuclear architecture during protoplastization and regeneration and for comparison with the expression profile obtained using cDNA-AFLP techniques and reverse transcription for the specific genes involved.

Use of chemical mutagens for production of inactive pollen grains,embryo rescue, and morphological changes in cucumber

“…This technique resulted in haploid embryo production. Baktemur et al (2013) compared the various techniques of separation of haploid embryos (inspecting the seeds one by one, sowing seeds directly in nutrient media, and inspecting seeds in a light source), which were subsequently optimized for cucurbits by Navratilova et al (2011). Despite its limitations, parthenogenesis is routinely used in cucumber breeding procedures to achieve complete homozygosity in one generation (Claveria et al, 2005).…”