Effect of auxins and cytokinins upon the start of meiosis in cultured anthers of rye (Secale cereale L.)

Abstract

Anthers of rye excised at premeiotic interphase were cultured in vitro on a basic medium and on a series of auxin- and cytokinin-containing media to ascertain the effect of these plant hormones upon the start of meiosis. Only in the hormone-containing media was it possible to find anthers in which pollen mother cells had started the meiotic division. The different hormones and concentrations tested exhibited a differential capacity to induce the start of meiosis, the percentages of anthers with pollen mother cells in meiosis varying from 0% in one medium to more than 60% in two other media. In some media, pollen mother cells were able to complete the whole meiotic division, while in others they were arrested at different stages of meiosis.Key words: Secale cereale, meiosis induction, anther culture, plant hormones.