Induced Androgenesis in vitro in Mutated Populations of Barley,Hordeum vulgare

Graduated concentrations of chemomutagens ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS), N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) and N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (ENU) and one concentration of sodium azide (NaN₃) were used to treat seeds of spring barley cultivars Heris, Tolar, Granát and Novum. Androgenesis in vitro was induced in mutagenised plant populations. The significant stimulation effect of mutagenic treatment on the mean number of androgenic anthers from all 36 treated variants was registered in 17 variants, on the mean number of regenerated plants in 15 variants and on the mean number of regenerated plants per androgenic anthers in seven variants only. Genotypes with a lower androgenic response were relatively more stimulated. Evaluation was made of the frequency of chlorophyll mutations within androgenic regenerants and in seed progeny of androgenic donors. Androgenesis was also induced in vital chlorophyll mutants and in the variants where the mutagen treatment resulted in less than 50% survival of the donor plants. Ratios between frequency of haploids and spontaneous dihaploids were similar in green and in albino androgenic plants. The results confirm that in barley it is possible to enhance the frequency of in vitro pollen embryogenesis by mutagenic treatment of seeds.