AN IMPROVED MEDIUM FOR IN-VITRO GRAIN DEVELOPMENT FROM DETACHED WHEATSPIKELETS

Wheat spikelets detached from the spike at anthesis were cultured on s olidified media and successfully produced mature grains. These grains resembled normal grains and contained well-developed, embryos. Lower c oncentrations of glutamine favored dry weight increase in developing g rains. Such grains were indistinguishable from grains from greenhouse- grown plants in germination on moist blotting sheets. The technique of individual spikelet culture can be used to study physiology and devel opment of wheat grains and kernels and to study host-pathogen interact ions in wheat floret diseases such as Karnal bunt.