Embryogenesis and plant regeneration in anther culture of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A protocol for high frequency callus induction and plant regeneration from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) anthers is described. Different variables using Murashige & Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.0 mg/l N6-benzyladenine (BA) were tested for their ability to enhance the frequency of anther callusing and subsequent embryogenesis. Of these, agar concentration, sucrose concentration, carbohydrate source had significant effect on callusing, while differences due to incubation under dark vs light conditions, cold pretreatment of capitula for 1 to 6 days prior to anther inoculation and genotype on callusing were non-significant. However, all these factors exerted highly significant influence on embryogenesis when calli from the various media were transferred to medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA. With the procedure developed, callusing as high as 100% and embryo formation at a frequency of 44% was achieved. Although complete embryos were formed the frequency of their conversion to whole plantlets was low (14.3%). Hence, the embryogenic pathway was bypassed to obtain multiple shoots by transferring embryogenic calli with developing embryos to MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA. Elongated shoots rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l NAA. Cytological analysis of embryogenic callus and somatic embryos revealed haploids at a frequency of 30% while that of rooted plants showed haploid regenerants at a frequency of 8.3%. Nevertheless, the frequency of putative haploid plants could be enhanced through mass multiplication using nodal explants of the regenerants.