Induction of microspore embryos in a CMS line of Brassica juncea and formation of the androgenic plantlets

Anther culture of two wide hybrids (Diplotaxis erucoides x Brassica campest ris) x B. juncea and (D. berthautii x B. campestris) x B. juncea, their CMS lines and the parent species elicited a range of responses highlighting th e importance of the genotype. Androgenesis was expressed in cultured anther s of CMS (D. erucoides) B. juncea (22.8%), in restored pollen fertile plant s of this CMS line (1.66%), and in the parent, B. juncea cv Pusa Bold (13.0 2%). AgNO3 was essential for androgenic response in the CMS lines, and it m arkedly increased the frequency of androgenesis in the cultivated species. Multiple crops of microspore embryos were obtained from responsive anthers of CMS plants in anther recultures. As high as 92% microspore embryos of th e CMS line germinated on basal B-5 medium and formed normal plantlets.