Genotypic differences in proembryoid development and green plantlets regeneration through androgenesis in barley varieties

Abstract

The development of in vitro haploid plants followed by spontaneous or induced genome duplication allows to achieve, in one generation, the recovery of total homozygosis. The efficiency of the haplodiploidization process through in vitro anther culture of barley is variable among genotypes. This study was aimed at determining the androgenetic response of nine barley genotypes from the breeding program of Embrapa Trigo, analysing proembryoid development and green plantlets regeneration in anthers cultivated in vitro. Cultivar 'BR2' presented the highest average of proembryoids (104/anther) and 'MN698' presented the highest average of green plantlets (0,41/anther). There was a significant variation among the average values of barley genotypes for embryo formation and green plantlets regeneration, making possible the selection to combine androgenetic capacity and good agronomic traits.