Seeds of cucumber “Super Long Green” were obtained from
“Shutton Seeds”, Calcutta. The seeds were washed in running tap
water for 10 min, surface sterilized with 70% alcohol for 1 min
and then 20% (v/v) commercial bleach “Teepol” (5.25% sodium
hypochlorite) (Merck, India) for 10 min. The seeds were then thoroughly
washed three times with sterile distilled water and treated
with 0.1% mercuric chloride (w/v) for 5 min. Finally the seeds were
rinsed three times in sterile distilled water to remove any traces of
sterilant. The seeds were soaked in sterile blotting paper and germinated
in in vitro condition in dark for 48 h on sterile moist cotton
(Fig. 1A).