In Vitro Callus Induction of White Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) ‘Casperita’ (F1 Hybrid) through Difference Explants

Abstract

White pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) ‘Casperita’ (F1 Hybrid) is a popular pumpkin in many countries, however, it produces unfertile seeds. The current study determined the appropriated concentrations of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) and BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) on callus induction using various explants as hypocotyl, epicotyl, cotyledons, petiole, and leaf. Sterilized explants were cultured on MS media with various concentrations of 2,4-D (0 and 2 mg/L) and BAP (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/L) for 20 days. Results found that MS media containing all 2,4-D concentrations induced callus in all explants. MS medium containing 2 mg/L 2,4-D in combination with 0.1 mg/L BAP provided high callus percentage (100%) from hypocotyls, epicotyls and petiole. When comparison of callus formation from various explants, it was found that hypocotyl showed the highest performance on callus formation in term of fresh weight, dry weight, and callus size. This discovery can be applied to white pumpkin micropropagation improvement in the future.

Keywords: Callus induction, BAP, 2,4-D, white pumpkin, MS media, F1 hybrid

Cite this Article: Worasitikulya Taratima, Thunyarad Cherdchoo, Narisa Kunpratum, Pitakpong Maneerattanarungroj. In Vitro Callus Induction of White Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) ‘Casperita’ (F1 hybrid) through Difference Explants. International Journal of Plant Biotechnology. 2019; 5(2): 15–21p.