Abstract
Chromosome doubling with colchicine treatment of seedlings derived from cross among hexaploid persimmons (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) were carried out to induce dodecaploid persimmons. Colchicine treatment of the meristem of seedlings in vitro was effective at a concentration of 0.03–0.05% for 12–24 hours. Induced dodecaploid seedlings generally showed weak vigor, but some vigorous seedlings could be obtained. Compared with the hexaploid parent cultivar, these dodecaploid seedlings had longer stomatal guard cells and lower stomatal densities. Although the rate of flower bud on dodecaploid seedlings was lower than that of the hexaploid seedling, some of the seedlings bore both pistillate and staminate flowers. Since the pollen of the induced dodecaploid seedlings has germination ability, the seedlings could be parental stocks for the breeding of seedless-PCNA persimmons.
