Evidence for genetic control and media effect on haploid regeneration in the anther culture of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Crosses were made between seven hexaploid wheat genotypes. Twenty-one F-1 hybrids and their parents were grown in a greenhouse with 16h day/8h night at 25 degrees C and 15 degrees C, respectively. The experiment was a complete randomized block design with three replications. Each replication consisted of one pot with three plants. Anther culture was performed in two different induction media (CHB and W14) and androgenetic traits were studied. Statistical analysis was carried out separately for each induction medium. Genetic variation was highly significant for androgenetic traits and the best parent (IBPT 19) produced 68 embryos and 9.3 green plants per 100 anthers in CHB medium. Genetic components were affected by induction media and some components were significant in one medium and non significant in the other. General combining ability (GCA) was significant for all androgenetic traits, except for albino plant regeneration in both media and total plant regeneration in CHB medium, whereas specific combining ability (SCA) was not significant for the traits studied. Narrow sense heritability was high for embryo induction frequency and green and total plant regeneration. All our results indicate that androgenetic parameters can be improved in hexaploid wheat by genetic means.