Embryo Rescue Protocol for Interspecific Hybridization in Squash

Summary

The article describes an embryo rescue protocol for the regeneration of immature embryos derived from the interspecific hybridization of Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita moschata. The protocol can be easily replicated and will be an important resource for squash breeding programs.

Abstract

Interspecific hybridization in Cucurbita crops (squash) is desirable for widening genetic variation and for the introgression of useful alleles. Immature embryos generated from these wide crosses must be regenerated using appropriate embryo rescue techniques. Although this technique is well established for many crops, a detailed description of the appropriate methodology for squash that would allow its routine application is lacking. Here, we describe an embryo rescue protocol useful for interspecific hybridization of C. pepo and C. moschata. To identify viable combinations for embryo rescue, 24 interspecific crosses were performed. Fruit set was obtained from twenty-two crosses, indicating a 92% success rate. However, most of the fruits obtained were parthenocarpic, with seeds devoid of embryos (empty seeds). Only one cross combination contained immature embryos that could be regenerated using basal plant growth media. A total of 10 embryos were rescued from the interspecific F₁ fruit, and the success rate of embryo rescue was 80%. The embryo rescue protocol developed here will be useful for interspecific hybridization in squash breeding programs.

Introduction

Cucurbita (2n = 40) is a highly diverse genus in the Cucurbitaceae family that contains 27 different species, of which five are domesticated¹. Among these, Cucurbita moschata, C. pepo, and C. maxima are the most economically important worldwide. In the U.S., C. moschata and C. pepo are the two most important species in agricultural production. C. pepo consists of four subspecies (ovifera, pepo, fraternal, and gumala) that contain both summer and winter squash cultivar groups of crookneck, straightneck, acorn, scallop, cocozelle, vegetable marrow, zucchini,....

Protocol

1. Planting and pollination

NOTE: It is important to identify compatible genotypes whose hybridization would result in fruit set and the production of viable embryos.

1. Planting conditions and maintenance
   1. Obtain seeds of squash genotypes (cultivars/accessions) for hybridization (Table 1).
   2. Fill 50 cell starting flats (25 cm width x 50 cm length) with potting medium amended with complete NPK fertilizer containing 1.38 g/kg N, 1.38 g/kg P, and 1.38 g/kg K.
   3. Sow seeds to a depth equal to their length and cover with potting medium. Water the flats without creating ....

Results

Fruit set and seed viability
An initial test was conducted to determine fruit set and seed viability in a variety of cross-combinations. A total of 15 squash genotypes, four C. pepo and 11 C. moschata, were chosen (Table 1). Out of the 24 interspecific cross combinations attempted, a fruit set was obtained for 22 (Table 2), representing an overall >92% success in the fruit set. No mature fruits were obtained by crossing O and M and E and J, wh.......

Discussion

There are two main bottlenecks for successful interspecific hybridization between C. moschata and C. pepo: cross-compatibility barrier, which is determined by genotype responsiveness to produce hybrid embryos, and post-fertilization barriers, which hinder the development of hybrid embryos to normal seeds. As previously reported for squash, the cross-compatibility test in the current study revealed that most of the fruit developed parthenocarpically, with most of the seeds unviable¹⁶

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
ampicillin	Fisher Scientific	BP1760-5
autoclave	Steris	AMSCO LAB 250
balance
cefotaxime	Sigma Alfrich	C 7039
centrifuge tubes (1.5 ml)	Sigma Alfrich	T9661
detergent
ethanol, 95%	Decon Labs	2805HC
forceps	VWR	82027-408
gellan gum	Caisson Laboratories	G024
growth chamber or illuminated shelf
laminar hood / biosafety cabinet	The Baker Company, Inc	Edgegard
masking tape	Uline	S-11735
media bottle
Murashige & Skoog Medium	Research Products International	M10200
NPK fertilizer (20-20-20)	BWI Companies, Inc	PR200
Osmocote Plus fertilizer	BWI Companie,s Inc	OS90590
Parafilm M	Sigma Alfrich	P7793
Petri dish (60 x 15 mm)	USA Scientific, Inc	8609-0160
plant pots	BWI Companies, Inc	NP4000BXL
plastic food containers, reused	Oscar Mayer	4470003330
plastic hang tags	Amazon	B07QTZRY6T
potting mix	Jolly Gardener	Pro-Line C/B
seedling starter trays	BWI Companies Inc	GPPF128S4
syringe filter (0.22 um )	ExtraGene	B25CA022-S
trellis support	The Home Depot	2A060006
water bath