Development of Isolated Rudimentary Anthers from Somatic Anther Callus of Cyclamen persicumMill.

Abstract

Summary Cyclamen anthers, when excised and cultured in vitro in the presence of IAA and BA, show callus formation from somatic tissues and, to a certain extent, subsequent reorganization of the callus. High IAA/BA concentration ratios may cause root formation, whereas low ratios favour the development of isolated organs possessing characteristics of foliage leaves, petals, or anthers. When subcultured, the somatic anther callus loses its potential of forming adventitious anthers already after the first transfer but remains capable of producing other leaf organs. Comparative anatomical investigations revealed that the internal structure of normal anthers is missing in some of the adventitious organs exhibiting morphological features of anthers. In other cases shape and anatomy of adventitious organs is rather similar to normal anthers. However, the sporogenous tissue in adventitious anthers is generally less developed than in normal anthers of comparable size and shape. Surprisingly, the most extensive and most advanced development of sporogenous tissue was observed in some organs having less evident morphological characteristics of anthers. Up to now, it was not possible to obtain development beyond the formation of pollen mother cells.