The ploidy of plants obtained from anther culture of cauliflowers (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

Anther culture of four cultivars of autumn cauliflower gave embryo yields of 100 embryos (per 100 anthers cultured) for one cultivar, eight embryos for a second cultivar, and almost zero for the two other cultivars. From 986 embryos which were grown on, 418 plants were regenerated. The ploidy of the regenerants was assessed by measuring guard cell lengths, pollen size, and by chromosome counts at meiosis. Only 1% of the regenerants were haploid, 41% diploid, 5% triploid and 53% tetraploid. One octoploid plant was also found. The results are discussed in relation to equivalent results for Brussels sprouts, and the use of anther culture in the breediing of cauliflowers.