Eggplant Anther Culture: Association Between Bud/Anther Size and Microspore Developmental Stage in Different Eggplant Genotypes

Anther culture is a valuable method for obtaining haploid and doubled haploid (DH) plants from microspores and there are several factors influencing the induction of androgenesis such as genotype and microspore development stage. The aim of the present work was, therefore, to identify the bud stages, with maximum amount of young microspores (YM) and mid microspores (MM), thought to be most responsive to embryogenesis induction in anther cultured, and to investigate the influence of genotype on embryogenesis. In this work, first of all anthers and buds containing the highest percentage of YM and MM in four different F1 eggplant genotypes were identified. Results revealed that a certain bud/ anther size group in each genotype might correspond to different microspore / pollen development stage in different genotypes. After determining the best anther length in order to increase the presence of YM and MM corresponding anthers were collected for four genotypes and cultured. Embryo and regenerated plantlet production were taken into consideration to evaluate the response to anther culture for each genotype. Embryos were obtained in all 4 genotypes with variable percentages, ranging from 3,57% to 40.67 %. As a conclusion, related bud and anther length determined for each genotype could be used as fast and reliable criteria to determine the most responsive microspore/pollen developmental stage, which has maximum amount of YM and MM, to increase the efficiency in eggplant anther culture.