An efficient method for in vitro regeneration from immature inflorescence explants of Canadian wheat cultivars

Fertile, green plants were regenerated from immature inflorescence explants from each of four Canadian wheat cultivars. The cultivars were representative of four classes of Canadian wheat. Explants from immature inflorescences of three size ranges were cultured on two types of media: MSI/MSR, which contains 1650 mg l(-1) NH4NO3 and sucrose as a carbon source, and BII/BIR, which contains 250 mg l(-1) NH4NO3 and maltose as a carbon source. Regeneration from all cultivars was significantly better on BII/BIR media than on MSI/MSR media. On BII/BIR media, 'AC Karma', 'Plenty', and 'Fielder' gave the highest number of shoots per 10 explants, where the explants were derived from immature inflorescences 5.1 to 10.0 mm in length. 'Columbus' did not regenerate on MSI/MSR medium, and regenerated poorly on BII/BIR medium. Differences were found between cultivars with regard to the number of regenerant plants produced with the best treatments: 'Plenty' produced 16.1 shoots per 10 explants, 'AC Karma' 12.4, 'Fielder' 6.4, and 'Columbus' 2.2.