Components of Response in Barley Anther Culture

Abstract

AbstractAnther culture response with 17 widely‐grown varieties and one model variety of barley was studied with one replication from field‐grown donor plants and one replication from a growth‐chamber. Plants were regenerated from all 18 varieties and green plants were obtained from 16 of them. On average, 1.6 green plants were obtained per 100 cultured anthers from all the material. Estimated variance components for the formation of embryos/callus from the anthers were dominated by the effects of the genotypes and interactions between plant material and environments which together accounted for 60.1 and 17.0 % of the total variation respectively, while environments were nonsignificant for this character. Plant regeneration from embryos/callus were not significantly influenced by either genotype or environments. Components of variance for green plant formation were dominated by the effects of the genotypes, accounting for 73.2 % of the total variation, and a smaller effect from environments accounting for 11.2% of the total variation. Main effects from genotypes on the percentage of green regenerants divided 7 varieties into two distinct groups, indicating that major genetic factors were involved. The genetic basis for green plant regeneration seems different from that governing embryo formation. The results are discussed with respect to the possible prediction of anther culture response for new barley hybrids, as a means for directing the use of barley anther culture towards material that responds well.