USE OF HAPLOIDS IN INDUCED MUTATION IN BARLEY AND WHEAT

Progress on the production of haploids in barley via anther and microspore culture appears to have achieved a breakthrough in the past year. This has been achieved through media alterations of sugars, N source and hormones with the basic MS media. More genotypes need to be tried in order to determine the role of genotype with the media. Although albinos are still produced, the proportion of green plants is much higher. Microspore culture in barley can be achieved through either shed pollen or mechanical isolation and would appear to be a potential replacement for anther culture procedures. While progress is being made with wheat anther cultures, the new procedures developed for barley have not been successful. Similarly, microspore culture in wheat is not as successful as in barley. Further research on field evaluation of anther or microspore derived doubled haploids is required. As embryo production becomes the norm, the level of gametoclonal variation may decrease. At present, gametoclonal variation is quite extensive in doubled haploids derived from anther culture as illustrated in wheat. Evaluation of doubled haploids in barley produced from the Bulbosum Method is continuing. Recurrent selection has not made significant progress for yield but a quantitative basis for improved powdery mildew resistance is evident. With further improvements, the isolated microspore culture system may become a tool for monocot transformation and mutation.