Genotypic differences in polyembryo formation and somatic embryogenesis increment in wheat (Triticum aestivum L), following 2,4-D treatment

In the course of experiments performed to obtain haploid wheat plants in which 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was applied to developing spikes, it was found that three cultivars showed a different ability to produce polyembryos (Thatcher 20.19%, Chris 7.06%, Dollar 0%). This behaviour was related to their capacity to form somatic embryos. Diploid immature embryos cultured in vitro after 2,4-D treatment, gave a higher frequency of embryogenic callus in Thatcher and Chris than in Dollar. As the common factor in both experiments was the 2,4-D treatment we propose that the three cultivars showed a differential sensitivity to 2,4-D.