Modern techniques for production of seedless vegetables

Muhammad Umair Javid

MS.C Scholar, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Email:umairjavid286@gmail.com

Cell: 00923336629839

A plant is considered to be seedless if it is able to produce a fruit with no seed, traces of aborted seeds or amuch-reduced number of seeds (Voraquauxet al.,2000). Induction of seedlessness in fruits and vegetables is being appreciated due to customer demand, improve aesthetic value and ease in preparation(Pandolfini, 2009). The shelf life of seedless vegetables is expected to be longer than seeded fruit because seeds produce hormones that trigger senescence. This effect has been observed in watermelons, in which seeds are the origin of fruit deterioration(Lukyanenko, 1991). Studies have also shown that seedless tomato fruits are tastier than the seeded variety. Moreover, seedless tomato fruits have been reported to possess 1% more dry-matter content, more sugars,less acidity, less cellulose and considerably high soluble solidsas compared to seeded fruits (Lukyanenko, 1991).

Parthenocarpy, literally meaning virgin fruit, is the natural, artificially induced, or genetically modified production of fruit without fertilization. In the absence of pollination, parthenocarpic plants will set seedless fruit (Gustafson, 1942). Thus, parthenocarpy can be regarded as a primary requirement for the production of seedless fruit(Pandolfiniet al., 2002).

Traditionally seedless watermelonsare produced by crossing a tetraploid (4× = 44) inbredline as the female parent with a diploid (2× = 22)inbred line as the male parent of the hybrid. The reciprocal cross (diploid female parent) does not produce seeds. The hybrid is a triploid (3× = 33) and sterile (Besteet al., 1998). Howeversome problems still exist producing the tetraploid parental line (by treating seedlings with colchicine), finding compatibility between the diploid pollinator and the tetraploid mother plant. Consequently, these difficulties required more time periodfor induction of seedlessness. Moreover Triploid seeds have a thicker seed coat, which decreases their vigour and germability(Yamamuroet al., 1978).Because the current production methods of seedless vegetables are associated withshortcomings, it is necessary to develop a new method to produce seedless vegetables in Short time which would be more convenient for and acceptable to consumer (Sugiyama and Morishita, 2002).

Among the modern existing techniques irradiation is an effective method for introducing nearly complete to complete seedlessness in vegetables. Seedless watermelon can be produced by pollination with partially functional pollens irradiated with gamma rays and x rays at the dose of 600 and 800 Gy (Moussa and Salem, 2010). In cucumber male pollen were irradiated with 0,100,200,300 and 400 Gy caused seedless fruit development, However fruit set percentage was not affected (Lotfiet al., 1999).

Another approach for eliciting seedlessness involves biotechnological research. Auxins andGAs plays important roles in parthenocarpic fruit development. Increased levels of these hormones in the ovary or ovule can substitute for pollination and can trigger fruit development, Researchers have obtained seedless parthenocarpic fruit by elevating the auxin levels in ovules of transgenic eggplant (Solanummelongena L.) and cucumber (Carmi et al., 2003; Goetz, et al., 2006; Yin, 2006).

Genetic approach for the production of seedless fruits is based on the rolBgene of Agrobacterium rhizogenesthat alters auxin sensitivity when expressed in plant. The rolbgene was introduced in tomato under the control of an ovary and young fruit specific promoter. In the rolB transgenic tomato plants, fruits developed without pollination and therefore were seedless (Carmi, et al., 2003).Seedleesnessalso developedby genetically modified parthenocarpic tomato plants(Rotinoet al., 2005).

Conclusion

Traditional polyploidy has been is in use to develop parthenocarpy (seedless) vegetables However, due to different drawbacks regarding commercial feasibility, this method is being discouraged. There is need to develop new technologies for the production of seedless vegetables by using less time to meet the consumer requirment, presently modern techniques are being in usedinclude, Irradiation, Mutation breeding, use of phytoharmones and transgenic approaches for the induction of Seedlessness in vegetables, However several others are yet to be explored.

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