Optimization of Cucumber Doubled Haploid Line Production Using In Vitro Rescue of In Vivo Induced Parthenogenic Embryos

Homozygous doubled haploid lines (DHLs) from new cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) accessions could be useful to accelerate breeding for resistant varieties. DHLs have been generated by in vitro rescue of in vivo induced parthenogenic embryos. The protocol developed involves the following: 1) induction of parthenogenic embryos by pollinating with pollen irradiated with a Co 60 γ-ray source at 500 Gy; 2) in vitro rescue of putative parthenogenic em- bryos identifi ed by their morphology and localized using a dissecting scope or X-ray radiography; 3) discrimination of undesirable zygotic individuals from the homozygous plants using cucumber and melon SSR markers; 4) determina- tion of ploidy level from homozygous plants by flcytometry; 5) in vitro chromosome doubling of haploids; and 6) acclimation and selfi ng of selected lines. Codominant markers and fl ow cytometry confi rmed the gametophytic origin of plants regenerated by parthenogenesis, since all homozygous lines were haploids. No spontaneous doubled haploid plants were rescued. Chromosome doubling of haploid plants was accomplished by an in vitro treatment with 500 μM colchicine. Rescue of diploid or chimeric plants was shown by fl ow cytometry, prior to their acclimation and planting in the greenhouse. Selfi ng of colchicine-treated haploid plants allowed for the perpetuation by seed of homozygous lines. The high rate of seed set, 90% of the lines produced seed, facilitated the recovery of inbred lines. Despite some limiting factors, parthenogenesis is routinely used in a cucumber-breeding program to achieve complete homozygos- ity in one generation. Breeding for new commercial hybrid cultivars will be accelerated. DHLs are ideal resources for genomic analyses.