Organogenesis versus embryogenesis from long-term suspension cultures of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

Suspension cultures were initiated from leaf explant-derived callus of cucumber,Cucumis sativus cv. Hokus, and maintained under two different conditions; (I) continuously in medium with 5 μM 2,4-D + 5 μM BA, and (II) alternately three cultures in medium containing 5 μM NAA + 5 μM BA and one culture in 5 μM 2,4-D + 5 μM BA. After plating on solid medium with 0.5 μM KIN + 0.1 μM IAA, suspension aggregates from long-term culture in medium with 2,4-D developed into callus, and subsequently formed somatic embryos. These embryos, however, hardly developed into plants. They showed growth arrest and several structural abnormalities. In contrast, organogenesis took place when suspension aggregates from NAA containing medium were plated on solid medium with 0.5 μM KIN + 0.1 μM IAA. Numerous adventitious buds were regenerated, which quite normally developed into plants. Sucrose at low concentration of 1% improved plant formation. On the average thirty complete plants were obtained from each ml of suspension. It is discussed why adventitious buds develop into plants so well, whereas somatic embryos are prone to growth arrest and abnormal development.