Determination of Microspore Population to Obtain High Frequency Embryogenesis in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.).

Abstract

To develop an efficient microspore culture system for broccoli, the effect of the developmental stage of the cultured microspore population was clarified, and embryogenic microspores were selected by percoll density gradients. The mean number of microspore nuclei was more effective than bud size for the determination of the developmental stage and microspore population that would be embryogenic. A microspore population having an average of 1.54-1.84 nuclei produced a high yield of embryos. Microspores selected by percoll (28, 36%) produced about 3-fold the number of embryos of those that were not selected.