Methods of anther culture of pearl millet and ploidy level of regenerated plants

To improve the regeneration efficiency from anther culture of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum Rich.), we studied the influence of the composition of culture media, stage of anther and low temperature treatment on the anther culture. The anthers having pollen around the tetrad stage were most suitable for anther culture and low-temperature treatment (10 degreesC, 7 similar to9 days) was effective for the callus induction. On the MS medium supplemented with 2.5mg/L 2,4-D, the callus induction rate was about 10% and the plant regeneration rate was 0.16%. No varietal difference was observed. Fifteen plants were regenerated in total, but all of them were mixoploid and the fertility was very low. More studies are needed to find better culturing methods, and to select the genotypes suitable for anther culture.