Anther Culture Potential of Indica Rice Varieties, Kurulu Thuda and BG 250

TD Silva* and WJ Ratnayake

Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstrsact

The anther culture ability of two local indica rice varieties were evaluated by anther plating on N6 and SK-I callus induction media. The traditional rice variety, Kurulu Thuda displayed good anther culture potential with a callus induction frequency of 17.2%. Anthers most suitable for culture were those bearing bi-nucleate pollen. Anther response was relatively poor in the new improved variety, Bg 250 (1.4%). Callus induction was nearly three times higher on N6 medium than on SK-I medium in var. Kurulu Thuda. Shoot regeneration was achieved in var. Kurulu Thuda on SK-II medium, but only from callus induced on N6 medium. From a total of 115 calli transferred from N6 to regeneration medium shoot development occurred in 7 calli, thus limiting the overall anther culture efficiency. Of the calli with morphogenetic competence, 5 gave rise to albino shoots and 2 produced green shoots. After root development the green plantlets were potted in soil. Plant regeneration could not be observed from callus induced in var. Bg 250.

Key words: Anther culture, Callus induction, Indica rice

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* - Corresponding Author

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka

Copyright © 2007 by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

Print ISSN 1391-3646 Online ISSN 2386-1533