Regeneration of doubled haploid plants from in vitro selected microspores to improve aluminium tolerance in wheat

The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of selection for aluminium tolerant doubled haploid lines from wheat anther culture. To carry out the experiment anthers from Mv16 were cultured on a solidified W1 4 induction media supplemented with 50 and 100 mu mol/L aluminium sulfate, at low pH (pH 4.5). After 5 weeks of induction period the obtained embryoid s were regenerated on 190-2 regeneration medium supplemented with Al in the concentrations as mentioned above. The offspring generation was rested in hematoxilin staining test to define the Al tolerance of the obtained DH lin es. According to the results obtained Al added to the induction media had n o negative effect on the androgenic responses (anther response, induction f requency of embryo like structures and their regeneration ability) of the g enotype examined. The application of in vitro Al selection significantly in creased the probability of obtaining DH lines with significantly higher tol erance, compared to the original genotype. Seeds of 10 selected DH lines we re multiplied under field conditions for physiological studies. Seeds of th e R4 generation were germinated in 10, 50 and 100 mu mol/L Al containing me dia, and the root and shoot growth characteristics were measured after 10 d ays of germination. The chlorophyll and Al contents were also determined. I n the physiological tests the shoot and root elongation of the Al tolerant lines was also inhibited but the degree of inhibition was significantly les s pronounced up to 50 mu mol/L Al. Similar concentration dependent response s were obtained by comparing the fresh and dry weight of sensitive and tole rant lines. The toxic effect of Al was also reflected in chlorophyll conten t of the leaves. The increasing Al concentration decreased the chlorophyll content of the sensitive lines, but not in the Al tolerant ones.