Evidence for cytoplasmic control of in vitro microspore embryogenesis in the anther culture of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Anthers were cultured from two sets of seven lines of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with different cytoplasms, the euplasmic nucleus donors, 'Siete Cerros 66' and 'Penjamo 62', as well as their six alloplasmic lines derived from wild relative species of the genera Triticum and Aegilops. Significant cytoplasmic and nuclear effects but no cytoplasmic-nuclear interaction were found for embryogenic anther response, with the best performance of 'Penjamo 62' in Ae. kotschyi cytoplasm. Plant regeneration was not affected significantly by the cytoplasmic background of the lines cultured. The possible genetic implications of the observed cytoplasmic and nuclear influences on the in vitro haploid induction of wheat are discussed.