Effect of Temperature Ppretreatment on Callogenesis and Gametic Embryogenesis in Anther Culture of Cucumber

In this research, the effect of temperature pretreatment on callogenesis and gametic emberyogenesis resulting from anther culture of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using a local variety of cucumber (Esfahani) and an Italian cultivar (‘Beta Alpha’) was investigated. In the first experiment, cold pretreatment (control, 4 and 10°C for two and four days) was considered as main plot and the two cultivars as sub-plot. In the second experiment, temperature (control, 30 and 35°C for two and four day) was considered as main plot and two cultivars as sub-plot. Results showed significant differences among the various types of temperature pretreatments for callogenesis and gametic embryogenesis resulting from anther cultures of two cucumber cultivars. In the first experiment, using 4°C cold pretreatment for 4 days showed the highest callogenesis and mean number of embryos per anther, in anther culture of Esfahani and ‘Beta Alpha’ cucumbers, respectively. In the second experiment, application of heat pretreatments of 30°C for 4 days, and 30°C for 2 days resulted in the highest callogenesis and mean number of embryos per anther in anther culture of Esfahani cucumber. Furthermore, heat pretreatment of 30°C for 2 days in Esfehani cucumber showed the highest direct embryogenesis.