Enhancement of embryogenesis and plant regeneration from barley anther culture by low doses of gamma irradiation

The effects of 0, 5 and 10 Gy doses of gamma irradiation on the enhancement of embryogenesis and plant regeneration efficiency of three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes, Igri, Arabi Abiad and AECS 76, were evaluated. Embryo yields at 5 and 10 Gy doses were significantly higher than those of the control (0 Gy). This effect was genotype-dependent. The most responsive genotype was Igri, with 592.8 embryos 32 anthers exposed to 10 Gy. However, despite a high embryo induction rate, the green plant regeneration rate was low. Arabi Abiad had a higher ability to generate green plants produced from, with 28.13 plantlets obtained from 32 anthers at 10 Gy; irradiation had no significant effect on regeneration of Igri and AECS 76 genotypes. In general, the 10 Gy dose produced a much higher embryo yield than the 5 Gy dose. The root-tip chromosome number and the fertility of 298 regenerating green plants of cv. Igri revealed that 64% of the tested plants were spontaneously doubled haploids (DHs) and fertile.