Effect of spikelet position on rice anther culture efficiency

The potential of anthers from different parts of the panicle to induce call us was investigated with the japonica rice variety Taipei 309. The results showed that the callusing abilities of anthers from different spikelet posi tions were significantly different. After plating 4483, 4496, 4348 anthers from the basal, middle and top parts. the percentage of anthers forming cal li was 20% in the basal part, 12% in the middle parr and 8% in the top part . The anthers of basal parts containing pollen at all uninucleate stages, i ncluding early, middle and late, showed higher callus induction frequency t han those from middle and top parts. The green plantlet regeneration freque ncies of top, middle and basal spikelets were around 18% in all three cases . From the results it would appear that anthers from the basal part of the panicle should be used in anther culture of rice in order to obtain higher efficiencies, and thereby optimise the usefulness of this technique in rice breeding programmes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights res erved.