Initiation of embryogenesis from cultured barley microspores: a further investigation into the toxic effects of sucrose and glucose

The toxic effects of sucrose and glucose upon Hordeum vulgare L. ev Igri microspore cultures were investigated. It was concluded from this study that:

-microspores could be cultured in the presence of low concentrations of glucose without any deleterious effects upon cell viability, but the microspores did not form embryos or calluses.

-microspores died when incubated in the presence of 40 mM glucose during the first 2 of days of incubation, but, if glucose was added after this period, cells went on to produce embryos or calluses.

-the toxic effects of sucrose upon cultured microspores were irreversible after 6 h from the start of incubation. Implications of these results on underlying causes of cell death in the presence of sucrose and glucose are discussed.