Cefotaxime and Benzyladenine Improve Melon Regeneration

Background: Worldwidely cultivated, melon is commercially an important fruit crop, as it is in Iran. Objectives: Establishment of an efficient in vitro plant regeneration system plays a pivotal role in the plant transformation, hence, the importance of regeneration protocol for Iranian melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Gorgab) has encouraged us to work on in vitro melon regeneration. Material and Methods: The effect of selective media, including various concentrations of the 6-benzyladenine (BA), cefotaxime, as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on regeneration of the cotyledonary petioles derived from a 6-day-old in vitro grown seedlings were assessed. Results: The highest frequency of regeneration rate was recorded at 1.5 mg.L-1 of the BA plus 250 mg.L-1 cefotaxime in addition to 1 mg.L-1 BA plus 1000 mg.L-1 cefotaxime. The highest percentage of the shoot formation (100%) was recorded at 1 mg.L-1 BA plus 1000 mg.L-1 cefotaxime, while, it was relatively lower (75%) on than the medium containing 1.5 mg.L-1 BA in combination with 250 mg.L-1 cefotaxime. The highest root induction was observed in the medium containing 500 mg.L-1 cefotaxime + 0.1 mg.L-1 IAA. A significant positive influence on roots and leaves formation, as well as their number, in addition to regeneration of shoots was observed as well. Conclusions: This is the first work reporting an appropriate regeneration procedure for the melon, an Iranian native crop.