CALLUS AND SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS FROM CULTURED ANTHERS OF SERVICE TREE (SORBUS-DOMESTICA L)

The effects of stage of microspore development, cold pretreatment, and growth regulators on the embryogenic response of anthers from service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) are reported. Callus proliferation required the presence of growth regulators in the culture medium, best results being obtained with combinations of auxins and BA. Microspore embryogenesis was only induced when anthers containing tetrads or uninucleate pollen were cultured on BA-supplemented media containing IBA or IAA. A cold pretreatment before anther culture elicited a significant decrease in callus formation and inhibited embryogenesis. Chemical names used: benzyladenine (BA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).