The phenomenon of polyploidy has played a vital role in the evolution of many crops. Some of the economically important plants whose triploids are in commercial use include several varieties of apple, bananas, mulberry, sugar beets, tea and watermelon [1] . In citrus and its relatives, there are a few known tetraploid and triploid types. The great majority of the species of Citrus, Fortunella and Poncirus are diploid, having 18 chromosomes [2] . Doubling of an entire chromosome complement may result in an increase of cell volume and consequently in an increase of plant parts. This can be a useful tool in breeding and selecting for larger fruit size [3] .

Balady mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is one of the major citrus cultivars grown in Egypt. Besides its several merits, there are certain demerits like alternate bearing, loose skin and high number of seeds. Seedlessness, which is a desirable characteristic for the fresh fruit market [4] , can be induced in citrus by crossing tetraploid and diploid strains [5] -[7] . However, desirable autotetraploid that can be used in such crosses is still limited. In this regard, induction of more autotetraploids will facilitate recovery of triploid via interploid crosses.

Stomata density and size are used as markers in differentiation of diploids and tetraploids [8] -[11] . Diploid citrus had numerous and densely arranged stomata while tetraploids had larger and widely spaced stomata [12] .

Since colchicine being discovered in 1930s, it has been widely used for chromosome doubling in a variety of plant species leading to the production of novel germplasm that can be used as bridging materials or as direct commercial cultivars [13] . However, the responsiveness of cells is genotype dependant and influenced, to a varying degree, by numerous biological, environmental and chemical factors [14] .

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of inducing polyploidy in Balady mandarin in vitro by colchicine in order to improve this variety.

Data in Table 1 shows that seed survival percentage decreased by increasing colchicine concentration and the exposure time under the same concentration compared to the control. The control recorded the highest seed survival percentage (92.3%) and the lowest percentage (37%) was recorded under 0.2% colchicine for 48 hrs.

Comparing the effect of the concentration regardless the time, the results clear that the survival percentage decreased by increasing the colchicine concentration (Figure 1). Germination inhibition caused by colchicine treatments maybe due to the toxic effect of colchicine and this toxicity is proportional to the concentration and exposure duration. Zeng et al. [22] reported that colchicine decreased protoplast viability, delayed protoplast division and inhibited callus growth indicating presence of toxicity to cells on kumquat and navel orange. Moreover, Sanford [23] stated that if the solution is too concentrated or the duration of treatment too long, a high portion of the meristems will be killed.

^*Tetraploid induction efficiency % = seed survival % × tetraploid induction %/100.

Regarding the effect of colchicine treatments on ploidy induction percentage, the results show a tendency of increasing tetraploid percentage by increasing the concentration and duration of exposure. The highest tetraploid percentage was obtained at 0.2% for 24 hrs (Table 1). The most efficient treatment in tetraploid induction was 0.1% for 48 hrs which achieved 33.78%.

The cytological studies of root tips by chromosome counting, which is the only reliable method to confirm the ploidy level [24] revealed the occurrence of tetraploid as shown in Figure 2.

DNA content in the leaves generally tended to increase significantly by increasing the colchicine concentration and the time of exposure (Table 2). The highest content was recorded at the treatment of 0.2% colchicine for 24 hrs. recording 207.1 µg/ml. However, there was no significant difference among 0.05% for 48 hrs, 0.1% for 24 hrs and 0.2% for 48 hrs and neither between 0.1% for 48 hrs and 0.2% for 48 hrs. Considering the concentration effect regardless the time, DNA highest value was found under 0.2% colchicine and the control was the lowest. Other studies proved that by colchicine treatment, the tetraploid cells contained DNA almost two times more than the diploid ones [22] [25] [26] .

2n 4n

Figure 2. Chromosome number in diploid (2n = 18) and tetraploid (4n = 36) of Balady mandarin plants.

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.

number decreased by increasing colchicine concentration and exposure time to record the lowest value under the treatment of 0.1% for 48 hrs.

The highest stomata length was found at 0.2% for 12 hrs, while the lowest ones were recorded under the control (Table 4). The differences among treatments were statistically significant.

Concerning stomata width, data in Table 5 shows that stomata width recorded the highest significant values under 0.1% for 12 and 48 hrs (128.3 and 128.2 µm, respectively) followed by 0.2% for 12 hrs. whereas, the control and 0.01% for 24 hrs showed the lowest ones. Figure 3 shows the differences between the diploid and tetraploid in stomata dimension.

Similar results were found on different citrus species and varieties as a result of colchicine treatment [9] [22] [25] -[28] , where they found that stomates of diploid citrus appears as numerous, densely arranged, while stomates of tetraploids were larger and spaced more widely.

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.

In conclusion, treating seeds of Balady mandarin with colchicine at 0.1% for 48 hr had the highest tetraploid induction efficiency percentage. The obtained tetraploid strains are a source of genetic diversity and have a great potential in breeding programs to create seedless/triploid cultivars thereafter.