Haploidization using anther culture method and pollination with irradiated pollen technique in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Monoic, dioic and hermaphrodite flower types complicate spinach breeding studies and this situation prevents the spread of such studies. By availability of haploid plant production techniques known as one of the tissue culture in spinach, the studies aimed obtaining new varieties in this species will be increased. Therefore, in this presented study, the availability of anther culture method using male gametes (androgenesis) and pollination with irradiated pollen technique using female gametes (gynogenesis) in spinach was investigated. Koto F1, Greenstar F1 and Favorit F1 varieties were used as plant material. Four different media contained different auxin and cytokinin content were tested in the anther culture experiments. Six different irradiation doses: 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gray were tested in the same three varieties in the studies of pollination with irradiated pollen and the plants regenerated from different seed types such as solid inside, slightly solid inside, liquid inside, almost empty inside and empty inside were obtained. The flow cytometer was used for the ploidy level of plants obtained and also they were tested using SSR markers.