Induction of haploid callus and embryogenesis in in vitro cultured anthers of mulberry (Morus indica)

Abstract

Anthers of Morus indica L., with microspores at the uninucleate stage were cultured; and the influence of temperature and kinetin pretreatment on induction of androgenic calluses was examined. The effects of various pretreatments revealed that 24 h cold pretreatment increased the percentage of cultures inducing callus. First microspore division was observed after 16 to 20 days of culture. Th anthers split and developed embryogenic calluses on MB medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg l⁻¹ and BA (1.0 mg l⁻¹)) using 8% sucrose. Rhizogenesis was induced on medium supplemented with NAA and BA (each 0.5 mg l⁻¹) with reduced myo-inositol (75 mg l⁻¹). Cytological study of induced roots confirmed the haploid nature of calluses. Different type of embryos were initiated upon transfer of calluses to medium supplemented with NAA, BA (each 0.5 mg l⁻¹), 2,4-d (1.0 mg l⁻¹) and PVP (600 mg l⁻¹). These embryoids further developed roots on removal of 2,4-d from the medium and developed precociously without developing cotyledons and formed elongated shoots.