Interspecific hybridization in Cucumis L. II. The crossability of species, an investigation of in vivo pollen tube growth and seed set

Response of Wild Cucumis Species to Inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Race 1,2y

“…Because some wild Cucumis species have high resistance to race 1,2y, it would be valuable to study the use of wild Cucumis species as genetic resources of high resistance to race 1,2y. To date, few interspecific hybrids between melon and wild Cucumis species have been reported because of strong reproductive barriers (Beherav and Choen, 1995;Deakin et al, 1971;Fassuliotis, 1977;Kho et al, 1980;Fujishita, 1969, 1970;Singh and Yadava, 1984); however, some interspecific hybrids of genus Cucumis were obtained through embryo culture (Chen et al, 1997;Fassuliotis and Nelson, 1988;Skálová et al, 2008). To introduce this high resistance to race 1,2y into melon cultivars, methods to overcome reproductive barriers in interspecific crosses between melon and wild Cucumis species, such as embryo cultures, should be investigated.…”

Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae; Cucumis spp., Cucurbita spp., Citrullus spp.)

“…The presence of compatible pollen can facilitate pollen-tube growth. This approach improved hybrid seed set in the cross C. metuliferus X C. africanus (Kho, den Nijs, and Franken 1980). In Cucumis, success has been achieved when mentor pollen combined with chemical treatment was followed by embryo culture (den Nijs and Oost 1980;den Nijs, Custers, and Kooistra 1980).…”

Origin and evolution of cultivated cucurbits

“…However, strong barriers were found in crosses between annual and perennial Cucumis species (KROON et al, 1979) and no viable seeds were obtained from any cross between African and Asiatic groups. Based on pollen tube behavior, C. africanus L. and C. melo appear to be the most promising male parents for crossing with C. sativus, but special pollination techniques and advanced embryo culture methods are necessary to overcome interspecific barriers in several crosses (KHO et al, 1980). The first successful and repeatable cross between African and Asiatic group was made by CHEN et al (1997) by crossing C. hystrix with C. sativus.…”