ANDROCLONAL VARIATION IN NIGER (GUIZOTIA-ABYSSINICA CASS)

Anther culture of 9 niger (Guizotia abyssinica) genotypes was studied for haploid plant production, so as to use derived haploids in breedin g programmes. Both genotype and treatment affected the induction of em bryogenic and non-embryogenic callus from anthers of niger. Embryoids developed from embryogenic callus and shoots initiated from non-embryo genic callus produced whole plants upon transfer into the Chaleff's R- 2 and MS basal media, respectively One hundred and fifty plants derive d from anther callus of the niger genotype Ootacamund were successfull y transferred to pots and grown to maturity. Out of these 150 plants, 8 plants were fertile and found to be diploid (2n = 30) and showed sig nificant variations in agronomical characters like plant height, leaf length, and size of capitulum in both first and second generations. Dw arfs, large flower head types and self-compatible plants recovered in this study are extremely useful for the improvement of this crop plant .