Exploring factors affecting anther culture in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Anther culture is an important in vitro culture technique for production of double haploids. It is largely species and genotype-specific. Asian cultivated rice (O. sativa, ssp. indica) is recalcitrant to anther culture which limits its practical application in rice breeding. Several researchers tried to optimize the media recipes and culture techniques for callus induction and plantlet regeneration. Negligible response to callus induction and recovery of higher frequency of albino plants are the major hindrance for use of the technique in crop improvement. Shortening the culture period and sexual hybridization of rice sub-groups (japonica/indica) may be adopted to improve green plant regeneration from anther-derived callus in indica rice. However, genetic transformation technology using individual genes related to different aspects of anther culture could be a more direct approach. Besides, the role of genotypes, physiological status of donor plant, developmental stage of pollen, pre-treatment, culture media, phytohormones and culture conditions for successful anther culture have been discussed. Key words: Anther culture, factors for anther culture, double haploids, genetic improvement, rice.