Comparative evaluation of melon plants obtained via somatic embryogenesis

Nikolay Velkov, Zhana Ivanova

Резюме: A comparative evaluation of the progeny of melon line VK/1-5-5 obtained by somatic embryogenesis was carried out in “Maritsa” Vegetable Crops Research Institute – Plovdiv during the period 2022-2023. The aim of our study was to use the phenomenon of somaclonal variation to obtain new lines with improved qualities. A selection was made and parameters of the plant and fruits were reported according to twenty characterictics: days to ripening, vegetation period, fruit mass, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh thickness, total soluable solids, flowering type, fruit ribbing, fruit pattern of cork formation, predominant fruit skin colour, fruit surface, fruit corking/ netting intensity, fruit shape in longitudinal section, main colour of flesh, aroma, flesh texture, taste, flesh flavor and flesh moisture. The seed progeny of the regenerated plants was compared among themselves and with line VK/1-5-5, which was used as a control. The results show a significant variation in the values of the traits in individual progeny. According to the indicator of days to fruit ripening, the shortest period was reported for E 70-1/1-4-asf (30 days), which was 7 days earlier than the control. The vegetation period is the shortest for the same genotype – 91 days. The average fruit weight was highest in E 70-1/2-4-8-8 (3.905 kg), twice that of the control. Other progeny with greater mass than the control were E 70-1/2-4-8-3 (2.529) and E 70-1/2-4-6-sf (2.817 kg). In the same genotypes, the highest values were obtained in terms of fruit length, fruit width and fruit thickness. The highest content of dry matter was obtained at E 70/1-5-20 - 12.1%. The investigated progenies of regenerants are characterized by monoecious and andromonoecious type of flowering and male sterility. The obtained changes in progeny are a valuable source of variability in the melon breeding program.

Ключови думи: Cucumis melo; in vitro; progeny; somaclonal variation

Цитиране: Velkov, N., & Ivanova, Zh. (2025). Comparative evaluation of melon plants obtained via somatic embryogenesis. Bulgarian Journal of Crop Science, 62(3) 53-60

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61308/AOHQ9376

Дата на публикуване: 2025-06-26