Methodical improvements in rye anther culture.

The crucial problem in anther culture of rye (Secale cereale L.) is the very low regeneration capacity. Our study was conducted to overcome this restriction. The plant material used included a doubled haploid line (DH), two single crosses between DH Unes, and a tetraploid Secale cereale L. population. The factors carbohydrate source, post-plating temperature treatment, and gelling agent were investigated. Substantial progress was achieved by substituting maltose for sucrose. Top rates of 49 % responding anthers and 20 % green plants were obtained from one of the single crosses after a post-plating cold treatment on geirrte solidified medium. We consider our results a methodical step forward in rye anther culture.