Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Squashes and pumpkins are important vegetable species belonging to the genus Cucurbita of the family Cucurbitaceae.The genus Cucurbita (2n=40) comprises five cultivated species, the most economically important of which are Cucurbitapepo L., C. maxima Duch., and C. moschata Duch. The doubled haploidization technique, which allows the rapid andefficient obtaining of pure lines in variety breeding programs in many plant species, is also successfully applied in theCucurbita genus. The irradiated pollen technique yields successful results in all three squash species in obtaining haploidplants. Successful applications have been made in projects conducted at our company to obtain haploid plants in squash.However, it is not possible to propose a practical protocol for chromosome doubling in squash and obtaining doubledhaploid (DH) plants from haploid plants. Although the literature contains successful applications and reports of pure-lineseeds, the doubling step remains a key challenge in the production of pure lines in squash. For this purpose, studies wereconducted on chromosome doubling in haploid squash plants under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Concentration andduration of colchicine applications were tested, and stomatal examinations revealed diploid plants. The most effectivemethod was determined to be a 3-hour application period using a 0.5% colchicine dose used in acclimated young haploidseedlings at the 3-4 leaf stage. Plants grown from this treatment were self-pollinated to obtain pure-line seeds. However,optimization studies on chromosome doubling in squash varieties are still needed.
Source: DergiPark (Istanbul University)
Institutions: Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Ankara University
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7172367676