Doubled haploid production by anther culture for Australian barley breeding

Abstract

Agarose-solidified media containing maltose and glutamine were used to produce double-haploid lines, by anther culture, from Australian spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes. Three sets of F1 and two sets of F2 breeder's hybrids were used. Genotype differences were significant for the proportion of anthers responding, and the number of green and albino regenerants per 100 anthers plated. It was confirmed that the environmental conditions experienced by the donor plants (time of year, and field or glasshouse) had a large impact upon explant performance in culture. A minimum level of anther culture efficiency was achieved to allow a breeding program to produce all its inbred lines by this method. The procedure has the potential to save research costs, and deliver improved genotypes to the grower up to four years earlier than conventional methods.