Pumkin mutation rate
- To: <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
- Subject: Pumkin mutation rate
- From: "* <r*@colfax.com>
- Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 09:20:42 -0700
If the natural mutation rate is about 1% treatment with cholchicine
solutions will raise this to over 50%. This chemical is obtained from the
fall crocus bulb. This chemical in the past has been used by
horticulturists and plant breeders to increase flower size. It works by
blocking the new cell wall formation after division so you double the
number of chromosomes. I have used treatment in the past with good
success. Lack of water and time and my personal climate prevent me from
fully utilizing this process. When you crosspollinate only about 1 seed
out of 100 will have what you want. No one has the room to grow them all
out to find the one. With this process you treat the seeds you like, self
pollinate to maintain the new strain. They will breed true. Grind the
bulb in the blender, add 25% water, shake well. Soak the seeds in the
solution for 24hrs, rinse the seeds and place in wet papertowels in
ziplock, follow your normal seed handling from here. If all you seeds die
add more water and repeat. If you have no visible effect in the seed leafs
that first appear or in the appearance of the root structure while
germinating(increased size in both cases) then remove some water from the
settled solution or add more of the full strength from the blender. This
might help someone get to the 2000# by yr 2000. You need seeds to play
with, you can freeze or refrigerate the solution when not in use. Have
fun! By training I am a plant Sci from U of Idaho with 2yrs in research.
In life I'm a Plantperson. All of this is in the lit. for other plants.
Roger
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