GENOTYPIC AND EXOGENOUS FACTORS AFFECTING SHOOT REGENERATION FROM ANTHER CALLUS OF LINSEED (LINUM-USITATISSIMUM L)

The objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting the regeneration capacity of linseed anther culture. Four different environmental conditions in a phytotron were tested with regard to their effects on anther donor plants of cv. 'Hella'. Anther response and shoot regeneration from anther callus was maximal when donor plants were grown in a 16 hrs-day at 14-degrees-C day/8-degrees-C night temperature. Anthers of four linseed genotypes were cultured on different media. Maximum shoot regeneration was achieved when the induced calli were transferred onto a modified N6 medium containing zeatin (1 mg l-1). Most of the calli regenerated shoots in the second subculture on regeneration media. Shoots were rooted on modified B5 or MS media containing NAA (0.1 mg l-1). Cytological examinations of incubated anthers and root tips of regenerated plants indicated that the anther calli were derived from microspores.