Induction of in vitro androgenesis in anther culture of recalcitrant einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.)

Abstract

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) can be applied as a model species for cereal genomic studies due to its small genome size and high level of polymorphism. The in vitro somatic tissue culture protocol in einkorn was significantly improved recently, however the in vitro androgenesis remained an unresolved research topic. Five different pre-treatments were compared to study the effects of stress pre-treatments on the efficiency of androgenesis in two einkorn genotypes. The long cold pre-treatment (2 weeks, 4 °C) of donor tillers increased significantly the number of microspore derived embryo-like structures (ELS). Green and albino plantlets were regenerated from these structures. The ploidy level of microspore-derived green plantlet was determined as haploid by flow cytometric analyses. This is the first report published on the successful androgenesis induction (ELS production) and green- and albino plantlet regeneration in in vitro anther culture of the recalcitrant einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum L.).