Anther culture of Solanum genotypes

Anther culture response was examined in five Solanum genotypes. Large genotypic differences exist in response to culture and liquid culture media were found to be superior to agar solidified media systems. Pre-treatment effects on embryoid induction were also investigated and two of the genotypes displayed differential response to temperature stress pretreatment. In general the beneficial effect of charcoal in the media was confirmed. Successful embryoid production and plantlet regeneration was obtained from the wild potato species, Solanum papita. The influence of sucrose concentration on embryoid production was also investigated. Large genotype by sucrose interactions were detected and this was mainly due to the differential response of the tuberosum clones to increasing sucrose concentration when compared with S. papita. Embryoids were produced from this species in media containing 15% sucrose although the optimum concentration of sucrose for embryoid production was 9%. The possible role of anther culture techniques in gene introgression and potato improvement is discussed.