ENHANCED POLLEN GRAIN EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION IN ANTHER CULTURES OF BRASSICA-JUNCEA CV PR-45

Pollen grain embryogenesis in anther cultures of Brassica juncea cv. PR-45 was considerably enhanced by treating the donor plants with 4 ml l(-1) (v/v) of ethrel or delayed sowing of the donor plants, the latter treatment being superior. The anthers derived from plants sown about two months after the normal sowing period showed 18% androgenesis as compared to 3.5% in the control. Pollen grain embryos normally showed very poor germination (10%) on B-5 or B-5 containing GA(3). However, ABA or cold treatment promoted normal germination of these embryos. Exposure of the embryos to 4 degrees C for 6 days, which proved to be the best treatment, induced 66% germination of the embryos.