Improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) anther culture embryogenesis and direct regeneration by different plant growth regulators and gelling agent

Androgenesis via anther culture or microspore culture is one of the current methods for producing haploid and double haploid plants in maize. To use of this method in maize breeding program it should be able to regenerate enough plantlets. Anthers culture usually is carried out indirectly via callus induction and regeneration on at least two different media. In this study a responsive genotype, ETH-M82, using a new single culture medium was used for embryogenesis and regeneration. We tested different growth regulators (2,4-D; kinetin; NAA & IAA) in modified YP medium. After6-week, direct regeneration on some treatments was observed. The highest frequency of direct formation of plantlets (in 100 anthers) occurred on medium supplemented with 2mgl-1 IAA and 2mgl-1 kinetin (4%).Best results with an average of 3.1plantlets in replication were obtained with the medium solidified with agar, while in difcobactoagar only 1.4 of plantlets in replication was produced. This experiment suggested that agar and plant growth regulators in the medium were beneficial for producing embryo and plantlet from maize anthers.