Regeneration of fertile plants from protoplasts derived from embryogenic cell suspensions of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

We report regeneration of fertile plants from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Igri) protoplasts isolated from regenerable suspension cultures initiated from anther-derived embryogenic callus. Plants were routinely regenerated from these suspension cultures, which maintained their regenerative capacity for several months. It was first possible to isolate protoplasts from suspensions after three months of culture and after four months protoplasts capable of division could be isolated. Protoplasts maintained the regenerative capacity of the donor cells and formed embryogenic callus. Green plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived calli, although the proportion of albino plantlets was high. Viable regenerants were transferred to soil and fertile plants were recovered.