Frequency and characteristics of zygotic seedlings from polyembryonic mango cultivars, determined using isozymes as genetic markers.
Degani C., Cohen M., Reuveni O., El-Batsri R., Gazit S.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Horticulture, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
: 78-85
Abstract : Leaf extracts of seedlings derived from open-pollination of mango (Mangifera indica) cultivars Turpentine and 13-1, and from pollinations when Turpentine was caged with 13-1 were electrophoretically analysed for isoenzymes of isocitrate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucose isomerase [glucose-6-phosphate isomerase], phosphoglucomutase and triose-phosphate isomerase. Based on this analysis, 22, 20 and 13% of the seed progeny from open-pollinated 13-1 and Turpentine, and from Turpentine caged with 13-1, respectively, contained zygotic embryos. Among the zygotic progeny of open-pollinated 13-1, 37% were identified as originating from outcrossing. Within each progeny population, the mean weight of zygotic seedlings was higher than that of nucellar seedlings. Seed weight was positively correlated with the number of seedlings per seed, as well as with their total weight. A significant relationship was found between seedling weight and sprouting order, with the heaviest being the first to sprout.