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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Embryo Rescue Protocol for Interspecific Hybridization in Squash
Published on: September 12, 2022
Improving embryo rescue efficiency in seedless grape breeding with zeatin
Xi Chen1, Shaopeng Zhao1, Xinyu Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
Optimizing embryo rescue with zeatin (ZT) significantly improves seedless grape breeding efficiency. This technique enhances plantlet formation and identifies potential seedless lines, crucial for developing new grape germplasm.
Area of Science:
- Plant Breeding
- Horticultural Science
- Plant Biotechnology
Background:
- Embryo rescue is vital for seedless grape germplasm development but faces efficiency limitations.
- Optimizing culture media is critical for successful in vitro embryo development and germination.
- Parental genotype and plant growth regulators influence embryo rescue outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of parental genotypes and zeatin (ZT) on seedless grape embryo rescue efficiency.
- To optimize culture media for improved embryo development and plantlet formation.
- To identify superior parental lines and molecular markers for seedless grape breeding.
Main Methods:
- Systematic investigation of four self-pollinated maternal grape lines and 23 hybrid cross combinations.
- Evaluation of embryo development and plantlet formation in ER and MM3 media with varying zeatin (ZT) concentrations.
- Application of KASP_VviAGL11 molecular marker for identifying seedless grape genotypes.
Main Results:
- Zeatin (ZT) significantly improved normal plantlet formation rates (8.84-19.03%) and reduced abnormalities in self-pollinated lines.
- In hybrid combinations, ZT supplementation enhanced both embryo development and plantlet formation rates in MM3 and ER media.
- The hybrid 'Huozhoucuiyu × Yan73' in MM3 medium with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ ZT showed the highest embryo development (63.33%) and plantlet formation (26.67%) rates.
- Parental lines 'Huozhoucuiyu' and 'Ruby Seedless' (maternal) and 'Yan73', 'Italy', 'Ruidukemei' (paternal) were identified as superior.
- KASP_VviAGL11 marker identified 69.05% (290/420) potential seedless lines from hybrid progeny.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate zeatin (ZT) addition to culture media significantly boosts embryo rescue efficiency in seedless grape breeding.
- This study provides a foundation for establishing a highly efficient and stable embryo rescue system for seedless grapes.
- Optimized embryo rescue contributes to the development of novel seedless grape varieties.

