The use of mutagens to increase the efficiency of the androgenic progeny production in Solanum nigrum

Pollen embryogenesis was successfully induced in Solanum nigrum L. (2n=6×=72). Stimulation of androgenesis expressed as the frequency of androgenic responsive anthers was observed after 10 and 20 mM ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS), 10 and 20 mM sodium azide (NaN₃) and 0.2 mM N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) treatment applied on seeds for 24 h. The frequency of androgenesis on the medium with sucrose was higher than on the medium with maltose. Androgenic regenerants originated also in the anthers collected from donor plants where survival after mutagenic treatment was lower than 50 %. Green haploid (3x), aneuploid (to 8x) and dihaploid (6x) plants were obtained. The high frequency of aneuploids among androgenic plants is explained by cell division irregularities in microsporial calli.