ANTHER CULTURE OF KALE (BRASSICA-OLERACEA L CONVAR ACEPHALA (DC) ALEF)

The pollen development and androgenic ability of 18 kale (Brassica ole racea convar. acephala) genotypes was observed during an anther cultur e study. Anther culture was successful in 6 of the genotypes and the h ighest yield obtained was 17 embryos per 100 anthers plated. Two stage s of anther development were identified as being responsive to anther culture. The first and most responsive was that corresponding to the l ate uninucleated stage and the second to the late binucleated stage. T hese stages correspond with the onset of mitotic events in the microsp ores. Pollen viability was studied and low viability was noted which d eclined to zero after 9 days of anther culture. The initial viability level however was not clearly related to androgenic ability. The signi ficance of the production of haploid and dihaploid kale genotypes in t he study and breeding of resistance to clubroot is discussed.