POLLEN EMBRYOGENESIS IN THE CULTURED ANTHERS OF NICOTIANA TABACUM CV, VIRGINICA OBTAINED FROM IN VIVO AND IN VITRO PRODUCED FLOWER BUDS

Abstract

The performance of anthers from in vitro produced flower buds and those derived from glasshouse-grown plants was compared. In liquid medium anthers of all types exhibited some degree of browning. In vivo produced anthers were moderately prone to browning irrespective of the presence or absence of hormones in the culture medium. Browning in anthers derived from in vitro produced flower buds was far more in hormone-free media. The anther response based on the number of anthers incubated was much higher in hormone free media than in the media containing hormones. In vitro produced anthers exhibited a strong dependence of anther response to the stage of pollen development at excision The productivity of the invitro produced anthers was greater in the hormone supplemented media whereas the in vivo produced anthers did so in the basal medium.