Ethylene precursors and antagonists increase embryogenesis of Hordeum vulgare L. anther culture

The role of ethylene in microspore embryogenesis and regeneration was analyzed by studying the effects of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and the ethylene antagonists silver nitrate and silver thiosulphate on the androgenic response of in vitro cultured anthers of seven genotypes of barley. Incorporation of either ACC or silver salts in the culture medium lead to a significant increase in callus induction for five of the seven genotypes tested. The treatment that increased callus induction depended upon genotype. Only anthers cultured on 1 mg l^–1 silver thiosulphate gave rise to fertile plants in all seven genotypes tested.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole acetic acid - PAA phenyl acetic acid - STS silver thiosulphate - ACC 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid