Genetic Control of Regeneration was Altered During One-Week Ripening of Immature Melon Cotyledons on Liquid/Membrane System

Abstract

Genotypic variation is a large factor affecting the success of regeneration systems in many species, including melon (Cucumis melo L.). Genotypic variation obviously has a genetic component, but regeneration response is a phenotype with strong interactive environmental factors. Recently we observed heterosis and cytoplasmic factors combine with Mendelian genetics to create the interactive environmental component for genotypic variation in regeneration of melon (Adelberg et al. 1998). We have followed that work with observations of regeneration following a one-week in vitro “ripening” treatment of immature cotyledons. Regeneration was quantified to describe differences in genotypic expression of regeneration under the influence of explant conditioning from the same three inbreds and cross combinations.