Plant regeneration from anther culture in Canadian cultivars of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The effect of culture of anthers at 35 degrees C for one to four days prior to culture at 25 degrees C in darkness, genotype, anther orientation on callus induction and shoot regeneration in anther culture of flax was investigated. The influence of type and concentrations of cytokinins in the regeneration medium on shoot regeneration was also investigated. The results suggested that culture of anthers at 35 degrees C prior to continuous culture at 25 degrees C in darkness did not significantly improve the percentage of anthers producing calli. However, culture of anthers at 35 degrees C for one day significantly increased the overall efficiency of regeneration compared to no culture temperature treatment. Genotypic effects were significant for the percentage of anthers producing calli and the overall efficiency of regeneration. Anther orientation showed no significant differences. The regeneration medium containing 4.5 mu M zeatin had significantly higher percentage of calli forming shoots than the same basal medium containing 0.01 mu M TDZ. The importance of these findings for flax breeding was discussed.