PLANT-REGENERATION FROM ANTHER CULTURE IN CANADIAN CULTIVARS OF FLAX (LINUM-USITATISSIMUM L.)

The effect of culture of anthers at 35 degrees C for one to four days prior to culture at 25 degrees C in darkness, genotype, anther orienta tion on callus induction and shoot regeneration in anther culture of f lax was investigated. The influence of type and concentrations of cyto kinins in the regeneration medium on shoot regeneration was also inves tigated. The results suggested that culture of anthers at 35 degrees C prior to continuous culture at 25 degrees C in darkness did not signi ficantly improve the percentage of anthers producing calli. However, c ulture of anthers at 35 degrees C for one day significantly increased the overall efficiency of regeneration compared to no culture temperat ure treatment. Genotypic effects were significant for the percentage o f anthers producing calli and the overall efficiency of regeneration. Anther orientation showed no significant differences. The regeneration medium containing 4.5 mu M zeatin had significantly higher percentage of calli forming shoots than the same basal medium containing 0.01 mu M TDZ. The importance of these findings for flax breeding was discuss ed.