Embryogenic Suspension Culture and Plant Regeneration from Suspension-Derived Proto-plasts of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Fast growing embryogenic cell suspension culture was established when embryogenic callus derived from cotyledon protoplasts of cucumber was transferred into a liquid culture. So far the cell line has been subcultured for two years and retained the ability of embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Experimental data showed that the concentration of ABA or sucrose had a dramatic effect on embryogenesis and synchronization of embryoid development. Low level of sucrose concentration (1%) facilitated the precocious germination of the embryoids while 1 mg/l of ABA or 7–9% of sucrose was found to be effective for reducing callusing of the cultures and synchronisticly controlling the embryoids at globular or late globular stage. Embryogenic cells taken from 3–5 days after subculture were enzymatically digested. A large amount of viable protoplasts was isolated. Protoplasts were cultured in a DPDK1 medium either by means of drop or thin layer liquid culture or by means of sodium alginate encapsulation culture. Actively dividing cells formed cell colonies and globular embryoids which were transferred onto a solidified agar medium or directly into a liquid medium to form a shaken culture. The embryoids would proliferated continuously. Embryoids eventually developed into plantlets when they were transferred onto a 1/2 MSO medium devoid of phytohormones.