INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION OF C. ANGURIA × C. ZEYHERI, C. SATIVUS × C. MELO AND C. SATIVUS × C. METULIFERUS WITH THE USE OF EMBRYO CULTURES

Interspecific hybridization is one of the possible methods of introducing resistance genes from wild Cucumis species to Cucumis sativus cultivars. For overcoming the crossability barriers embryo-rescue and/or ovule cultures are the methods of interest. Selected genotypes of Cucumis species (C. sativus, C. melo, C. anguria, C. zeyheri and C. metuliferus) were used for pollination within and between species. Immature and mature embryos were cultivated in vitro on five types of media (OK, ON, CW, GA, GP). Cross-pollination between C. anguria and C. zeyheri was successful. By using PGM staining system five zymotypes were recorded and from polyacrylamide gel stained for LAP system six zymotypes were noted. The cross-pollination between C. sativus and wild Cucumis species was unsuccessful; during in vitro cultivation of seeds issued from C. sativus × C. melo some callus-formation was detected and morphological changes on seeds from C. sativus × C. metuliferus were observed.