Effects of different fruit juices used as carbon source on cucumber seedling under <i>in-vitro</i> cultures

Abstract

In this study, the effect of various commercial fruit juices (used as plant carbon source) was assessed on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Liza at seedling stage under aseptic conditions. Seeds were germinated on ½MS medium (within 2-days) under dark conditions. They were sub-cultured on MS₀ (MS basal salts) medium and its derivatives [MS, supplemented with fruit juices in place of sucrose (3%) such as, MS₁ (orange), MS₂ (apple), MS₃ (red grapes) and MS₄ (strawberry)] for six weeks. Maximum seedling growth was observed in MS₁ and MS₃ cultures (p > 0.05). Significant increase in proline and reducing sugars was measured in MS₂ and MS₄ in comparison to MS₀ (control) culture. Abundance of chlorophyll contents (Chl a, b and ab) and total carotenoids including its precursor (lycopene) was also found in MS₁ medium. Both orange and grapes supplied cultures were most effective in relation to all growth related parameters.

Key words: Cucumis sativus L., seedling growth, proline contents, total carotenoids, lycopenes.