Anther Culture of Naked Oat and the Establishment of Its Haploid Suspension Cell

This paper reported the production of haploid plants through anther culture in naked oat (Arena nuda). Calluses were induced from anthers of naked oat placed on various culture media. MS medium with 4% sucrose, 1% activated charcoal and no hormones gave the highest initiation frequencies (14.7%) of anther callus among media tested. Twelve green plants and one albino plant have been regenerated from anther calluses. Cytological examination of mitotic rooot tip ceils from three green anther plants showed that two of the plants were haploid (2n=3x=21) and one was diploid (2n=6x=42). The cell suspension cultures were established from pollen friable calluses in liquid medium. The suspension cells were cytologically stable during one year subcultures. Most of the ceils examined were haploid.     

Efficient callus induction and plant regeneration from mature embryo culture of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes

Immature and mature embryos of 12 common winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes were cultured in vitro to develop an efficient method of callus formation and plant regeneration from mature embryo culture, and to compare the responses of both embryo cultures. Fifteen days after anthesis, immature embryos were aseptically dissected from seeds and placed with the scutellum upwards on a solid agar medium containing the inorganic components of Murashige and Skoog (MS) and 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Mature embryos were moved slightly in the imbibed seeds. The seeds with moved embryos were placed furrow downwards in dishes containing 8 mg/l 2,4-D for callus induction. The developed calli and regenerated plants were maintained on 2,4-D-free MS medium. Plants regenerated from both embryo cultures were vernalized and grown to maturity in soil. Regenerated plantlets all maintained the hexaploid chromosome number. A strong genotypic effect on the culture responses was found for both explant cultures. Callus induction rate, regeneration capacity of callus and number of plants regenerated were independent of each other. Mature embryos had a high frequency of callus induction and regeneration capacity, and therefore, being available throughout the year, can be used as an effective explant source in wheat tissue culture. Received: 4 February 1997 / Revision received: 1 April 1997 / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in callus culture of tef, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter

The study was carried out to establish in vitro culture conditions for plant regeneration of tef, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter. Mature seeds of two Ethiopian varieties, DZ-01-354 and DZ-01-196, were used to initiate callus cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different auxins. Four- and 8-week-old calli induced on a medium with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were subcultured onto various media to induce somatic embryogenesis. Compact, nodulated, embryogenic callus was observed after transfer onto MS-callus proliferating (CP) medium. Embryogenic tissue appeared on soft and amorphous callus and developed into somatic embryos during a subsequent subculture to MS embryo-promoting (EP) media. Various growth regulator combinations were tested in CP and EP media to obtain a high efficiency of somatic embryo formation. The highest frequency of calli forming somatic embryos (56.1–68.3%) was observed when CP media with 2.0 or 4.0 mg/l 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid were employed and then cultures were transferred to EP media with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l kinetin followed by 0.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid and 0.5 mg/l N⁶-benzyladenine. Plant development from somatic embryos was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l gibberellic acid. On average, 71.2% of calli displaying somatic embryos converted into plants. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to soil. Neither chlorophyll-deficient plants nor morphological variants were found among regenerants. All regenerated plants were fertile. Received: 9 May 1997 / Revision received: 25 September 1997 / Accepted: 3 January 1998     

Production of haploids of neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis> A. Juss.) by anther culture

Androgenic haploids of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) were produced by anther culture at the early- to late-uninucleate stage of pollen. Haploid formation occurred via callusing. The best medium for inducing callusing in the anther cultures was Murashige and Skoog's basal medium (MS) (9% sucrose) supplemented with 1 microM 2,4-D, 1 microM NAA and 5 microM BAP, while anther callus multiplied best on MS medium supplemented with 1 microM 2,4-D and 10 microM Kn. These calli differentiated shoots when transferred to a medium containing BAP; 5 microM BAP was optimum for young calli (75% cultures differentiated shoots), but older calli showed the best regeneration with 7.5 microM BAP. Shoots elongated at a lower concentration of BAP-0.5 microM. These shoots were multiplied by forced axillary branching and rooted in vitro. The plants were subsequently established in soil. Of the plants that regenerated from anther callus 60% were haploid, 20% were diploid and 20% were aneuploid.     

Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in anther cultures of Chinese pink <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Dianthus chinensis</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">.)</Emphasis>

In this study, we aimed to maximize the rates of somatic embryogenesis achievable in anther cultures of Chinese pink (Dianthus chinensis L.) (2n = 2x = 30). The genotype of the donor plant was found to be a major factor in determining the success rate. Conditions imposed during anther culture (notably medium composition and light conditions) and pretreatments (namely, cold, heat, and mannitol incubations) were also found to influence somatic embryo induction. For example, the highest levels of embryogenic callus induction were achieved when the donor buds had been cold pretreated and the subsequent anther culture was maintained in darkness. Furthermore, there appeared to be an interaction of genotype with culture conditions. Thus, in cultures of the cultivar (cv.) ‘Carpet’, the highest rates of embryogenesis were obtained when the anthers had received a 5-d heat-shock, but such a thermal treatment did not generally produce a significant effect. Likewise, a 3-d mannitol pretreatment was optimal only for the cross-hybrid line ‘HC’. Assessment of the ploidy of the plants regenerated from the anther cultures revealed both diploid and tetraploid plants. Histological and cytological observations showed that all of these (both from n-pollen and 2n-pollen lines) derived from anther wall cells. Spontaneous chromosome doubling was inferred to have occurred during the embryogenic callus culture period.     

Enzyme fingerprint analyses in tissue regenerated from anther culture of maize

The objectives of our studies were to investigate the effect of cold pre-treatment duration and the effect of two different culture media (YP and N6) on maize anther culture response in two maize genotypes (A 18 and A 19) and to identify the gametic origin of the maize regenerants. Androgenic induction and callus formation was compared in anther cultures following pre-treatment applied to both media tested and with both maize genotypes. Higher plant regeneration was observed in case of YP media independently of the genotype used. The best results were achieved when 12 days (genotype A 18) or 14 days (in case of genotype A 19) cold pre-treatment at 10°C was applied. We have tested the possibility of using enzyme isoform analyses to identify the microspore origin of calli and plants derived from anther cultures. The 11 enzymes tested in our experiments were acid phosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, catalase, diaphorase, β-glucosidase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and phosphoglucoisomerase. Analysis of malate dehydrogenase proved the gametic origin of the calli initiated and of the DH plants regenerated from anther culture, when the coleoptile of the donor plant material showed two forms of enzyme 3/6 and the analysed calli showed only one of the two forms (3 or 6).     

Thidiazuron-induced regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinacea purpurea</Emphasis> L.: Micropropagation in solid and liquid culture systems

The goals of this study were to investigate thidiazuron (TDZ)-induced morphogenesis of Echinacea purpurea L. and to assess the possibility of developing a liquid-based protocol for rapid micropropagation. Callus development and root organogenesis were observed on leaf explants cultured on media containing 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid or dicamba, but no plantlets were regenerated. Addition of TDZ to the culture medium as the sole growth regulator resulted in the production of regenerable callus cultures. The highest rate of regeneration was observed for explants cultured on medium with TDZ at 2.5 μM or higher. Tissue derived from 1.0 μM TDZ treatments was used to initiate liquid cultures. All liquid treatments produced a similar number of regenerants but significantly more healthy plants were obtained from cultures grown in the presence of 0.1 and 1.0 μM TDZ. This TDZ-based micropropagation system is the first liquid, large-scale propagation protocol developed for the mass production of E. purpurea plants.     

Prospects of androgenetic induction in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus</Emphasis> spp.

Anthers cultures of six Polish cultivars of pasture lupin (Lupinus L.) were examined for their androgenic response. Anthers with microspores at the uninucleate stage were isolated from flower buds and cultured in liquid media. Better viability of androgenetic structures was obtained when donor plants had grown under field as opposed to greenhouse conditions. A density of five anthers per 0.5 ml medium was more conducive to androgenetic induction than 25 anthers per 0.5 ml medium. Addition of 5% maltose to the induction medium and culture at 25°C without pre-treatment of flowers, buds or anthers promoted microspore release and division. The greatest frequency of androgenic callus, ~70% was developed from cvs. Katon, Wat (white lupin), in contrast to cvs. Legat, Juno (yellow lupin), Polonez and Sonet (narrow-leafed lupin) with callus induction ~30–40%. Despite various combinations of media tested, plant regeneration was not obtained from anther derived callus.     

Haploid and doubled haploid plants from developing male and female gametes of Gentiana triflora

Protocols were developed for the generation of haploid or doubled haploid plants from developing microspores and ovules of Gentiana triflora. Plant regeneration was achieved using flower buds harvested at the mid to late uninucleate stages of microspore development and then treated at 4°C for 48 h prior to culture. Anthers and ovaries were cultured on modified Nitsch and Nitsch medium supplemented with a combination of naphthoxyacetic acid and benzylaminopurine. The explants either regenerated new plantlets directly or produced callus that regenerated into plantlets upon transfer to basal media supplemented with benzylaminopurine. Among seven genotypes of different ploidy levels used, 0–32.6% of cultured ovary pieces and 0–18.4% of cultured anthers regenerated plants, with all the genotypes responding either through ovary or anther culture. Flow cytometry confirmed that 98% of regenerated plants were either diploid or haploid. Diploid regenerants were shown to be gamete-derived by observing parental band loss using RAPD markers. Haploid plants were propagated on a proliferation medium and then treated with oryzalin for 4 weeks before transfer back to proliferation medium. Most of the resulting plants were diploids. Over 150 independently derived diploidised haploid plants have been deflasked. The protocol has been successfully used to regenerate plants from developing gametes of seven different diploid, triploid and tetraploid G. triflora genotypes.     

Anther culture with different genotypes of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.): effect of cold treatment

This study concerns anther culture and the production of microspore-derived calluses and plants of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). It was confirmed that growth regulators were necessary for microspore callus production. Cold treatment (7 d at 7°C) of the buds prior to culture lead to a twofold increase in the frequency of responsive anthers and in the number of calluses per 100 anthers plated. Callus was produced from cultured anthers of several genotypes, covering a wide genetic background. Step by step removal of growth regulators from the culture medium promoted organogenesis and plant regeneration. Most regenerated plants were diploid. The overall process of microspore embryogenesis closely resembled that described in previous reports on somatic callus production and plant regeneration from poppy hypocotyls in vitro.     

Comparison of 2,4-D and picloram for selection of long-term totipotent green callus cultures of sugarcane

Long-term regeneration of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid and Saccharum spontaneum L.) callus cultures was achieved by selection of green callus on MS agar medium containing 0.5 mgl^-1 picloram or 2,4-D. Newly initiated sugarcane callus cultures were a complex mixture of different tissue types including white, nonregenerative and green, regenerative tissues. The proportion of the tissue types changed as a function of time in culture, genotype, and amount and kind of auxin. Green callus on picloram media always regenerated green plants. Nine hybrids and ten wild relatives of sugarcane produced green calli on picloram media whereas only three hybrids were grown as green calli on 2,4-D media in long-term culture. Green calli were inoculated into liquid MS medium with 0.5 mgl^-1 picloram for suspension culture. These cultures were totipotent after 19 months. For routine culture, we initiated callus cultures on modified MS medium with 3 mgl^-1 2,4-D, then in two to three weeks we subcultured callus on MS medium with 0.5 mgl^-1 picloram and selected for green callus. Green calli regenerated large numbers of green plants after more than four years.     

Improvement of green plant regeneration by manipulation of anther culture induction medium of hexaploid wheat

Anthers of three hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes with high frequencies of albino regenerants in anther culture were compared to DH after inoculation on medium supplemented with ficoll, colchicine or maltose separately, pair-wise or combined, in an attempt to increase green plant regeneration. Maltose treatment produced more green regenerated plants than sucrose for all of the genotypes. The three chemicals combined in anther medium either reduced green plant regeneration or did not yield significantly different numbers of green regenerated plants compared to the maltose treatment. With DH fewer embryo-like structures (ELS) were obtained per 100 cultured anthers on all medium containing colchicine but greater frequencies of green plants per 100 ELS were obtained. It appeared that the increase in green regenerated plants per 100 ELS was due to a better quality of embryos that were capable of regenerating into green rather than albino plantlets. Smaller increases in green plants per 100 ELS were observed in ICR 4 and V-15 on colchicine containing medium compared to DH. Genotypic differences in anther culture response were observed for ELS per 100 cultured anthers (increased for V-37, decreased for DH and approx. the same for ICR 4 and V-15 in medium with all three chemicals compared to the sucrose control).     

Effect of Potato-2 Medium on Anther Culture of Interspecific Rice Hybrids

The effect of two culture media, potato-2 and N₆ supplementedwith kinetin and either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)or -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on anther culture responseof two interspecific rice hybrids was studied. While calluscould be successfully induced and plants regenerated from theF₁ of O. saliva x O. rufipogon, the other hybrid, O. salivax O. longistaminala did not respond to the anther culture. Nevertheless,some success in callus induction was achieved when anthers froma few selected F₂ plants were cultured from the latter cross.No interaction effects between the media (potato-2, N₆ and growthhormones (2,4-D and NAA) for anther response to callusing wereobserved. Potato-2 medium proved to be superior to N₆ in termsof increased anther response, early callus induction, multiplecalli formation and also overall green plant regeneration Oryza saliva L., O. rufipogon Griff., O. longistaminata A. Chev. et Roehr, interspecific hybrid, anther culture, potato-2 medium, N₆ medium     

A comparative study of somatic embryogenesis in Secale vavilovii

Summary The ability of immature embryos, inflorescences and leaves of Secale vavilovii to form embryogenic callus was tested on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D. All cultured immature embryos formed calluses. The highest percentage of embryogenic callus production was from 1–2 mm embryos. Young leaves also formed calluses, mainly from the 10–15 mm basal segment, the percentages of embryogenic calluses being higher when cultures were maintained in darkness. Embryogenic calluses were obtained also from all the cultured immature inflorescences, in the three cases, rooted green plants were obtained and grown in soil. Comparison of the responses of the three explants used indicates that immature inflorescence is the most useful explant for obtaining regenerated plants in Secale vavilovii.     

In vitro regeneration ability of diploid and autotetraploid plants of Cichorium intybus L.

Polyploidy has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of plants and is a valuable tool for obtaining useful characteristics. Because of the novelty of polyploids, comparison of their in vitro culture responses with diploids would be notable. In this study, leaf explants from diploid, autotetraploid and mixoploid plants of Cichorium intybus L. were cultured in vitro on the similar media and under same conditions. The ploidy level of the obtained calluses and regenerants were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The callogenic response of leaf explants cultured on the callus induction medium did not depend on the ploidy level of their parental plants. According to the flow cytometry analysis, the increased ploidy levels (4x) and (8x) were observed in the callus cultures with diploid and tetraploid origin, respectively. A considerable difference was observed between the ploidy level of mixoploid plants and their calluses, indicating the dominance of diploid cells in the callus tissue. The results showed that polyploidy led to the loss of organogenic potential as the tetraploid origin calluses failed to regenerate, while the diploid origin calluses successfully regenerated to whole plants.     

Haploid plants from in vitro anther culture of the leguminous tree,Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC) K. Hayne (Copper pod)

The development of haploid callus, embryos and plantlets from cultured anthers and the various factors affecting androgenesis in Peltophorum pterocarpum (Copper pod), a tropical legume tree is reported. A pretreatment of flower buds at moderate temperature of 14°C for 8 days was most effective for callus production. The colour of the anther was found to be a reliable and efficient indicator for identification of suitable stage of anther for culture. The frequency of anthers which produced callus and shoots was highest when anthers were cultured at mid or late-uninucleate stage. A high sucrose concentration of 10% is a specific media requirement for androgenesis. The haploid nature of the embryos, callus and regenerated plants (n=14) were confirmed by chromosome count.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - KN kinetin - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - BAP bezylaminopurine     

Induced androgenesis in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). II. Factors affecting induction of androgenesis

The influence on androgenesis of donor plant growth conditions, anther size and developmental stage of the microspore, medium composition and different anther treatments prior to culture was investigated in L. esculentum Mill. cv Roma and its hybrids. Growth conditions of donor plants affected the induction of tomato androgenesis. Anthers isolated from plants grown in the greenhouse during winter at high humidity and in short days possessed higher androgenetic ability than those grown in the field. The physiological state and age of the donor plants also influenced the processes investigated. Regarding the developmental stage of microspores, the period from prophase to telophase II is optimal for tomato anther implantation. More then 20 culture media were tested. Two, based on Murashige and Skoog medium were selected as most favourable for callus induction, organogenesis and regeneration. The effect on callus induction of 2ip in combination with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was greater than that of zeatin and IAA. Zeatin promoted entire plant regeneration. A highly significant interaction between genotype and medium was observed. Temperature and gamma ray treatments of anthers enhanced callus production, shoot formation and plant regeneration. Treatments at 4 °C (48 h) and 10 °C (9 days) stimulated these processes. Combined treatment of anthers with 4 Gy and 10 °C for 9 days was the most efficient. Received: 5 September 1997 / Revision recieved: 5 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 June 1998     

General features of chromosome substitutions in Triticum aestivum x T. timopheevii hybrids

Summary Tissue culture of the Zea mays inbred line A188 resulted in the regeneration of plants having a high level of phenotypic variation compared to seed-grown control plants. To determine how such variation was induced and whether this could be related to specific in vitro culture methods, callus cultures were established and maintained on different, commonly used culture media. Plants were regenerated and the genomic DNA of callus cultures and regenerants analysed for RFLP differences. The results show that regardless of the gene probe used, callus formation resulted in significant deviations from the DNA pattern normally found in seed-grown control plants. Alterations in gene copy number also occurred. As differentiation and organogenesis began, the level of DNA variation fell, and most of the regenerated plants showed a genetic similarity to the controls; those with RFLP differences were the somaclonal variants.     

Efficient plant regeneration of garlic (Allium Sativum L.) by root-tip culture

Summary Root apices from in vitro cultured garlic (Allium sativum) cloves of cvs. ABEN and GT96-1 were used as axenic explants for organogenic callus production and plant regeneration experiments. Explants cultured in media based on those of Chu and co-workers (N6) or Murashige and Skoog (MS) could induce organogenic callus after 8 wk culture in darkness. Both media were supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.2–4.5 μM), alone or combined with 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin, 2.3–4.6 μM). Shoots started to grow 3 wk after culturing in the presence of light and the addition to culture media of 4.4 μM N⁶-benzyladenine. Plants capable of producing microbulbs regenerated 6 wk later. Up to 170 plants g⁻¹ FW callus were obtained when culturing was initiated in MS medium supplemented with 4.6 μM kinetin and 4.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.     

Screening wheat genotypes for high callus induction and regeneration capability from anther and immature embryo cultures

Plant regeneration via tissue culture varies with the genotype and is an important factor in establishing cell selection and genetic transformation systems. To select genotypes – especially Japanese ones – with a high regeneration capability, we screened 107 wheat genotypes (78 domestic, 29 foreign) for callus induction and regeneration capability from anther and immature embryo cultures. For anther culture, 83 of 107 genotypes tested induced calli and 45 regenerated plants. Only 9 genotypes, however, produced green plants, 25 produced only albino plants, and 11 produced both green and albino plants. Glennson 81 was the highest in callus induction, followed by Orofen, Danchi–komugi and Chris. The genotypes with a relatively high regeneration capability were Framala 80 at 24% and Glennson 81 at 19%, these two genotypes produced only green plants. For immature embryo culture, 97 genotypes showed a 90% callus induction rate and 74 genotypes regenerated plants. Very few genotypes produced albino plants. The genotypes with a high regeneration capability were Genaro 81 at 90%, Chinese Spring at 80%, and Norin 75 at 75%. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.