Comparison of anther and shed-microspore cultures to obtain haploid plant in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The efficiencies of solid and liquid anther cultures and shed-microspore culture were compared in order to increase the yield of haploid embryo and plantlet in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). A117 F₁, Anamur F₁ and Darko F₁ cultivars were used in the spring and autumn growing seasons. Before the anthers were cultured, the appropriate microspore stages were determined by DAPI staining method and repeated at certain intervals. In solid, liquid and double-layered (shed-microspore) cultures; DDV-C and DDV-R were used as the main nutrient medium, and the concentrations of plant growth regulators consisting of 2,4-D and Kinetin were kept constant in accordance with the original DDV media. The efficiencies of sucrose and maltose as the carbohydrate sources in the media were investigated together with the effects of silver nitrate and activated charcoal in different concentrations. The efficacy of the numerous nutrient media prepared in the study were examined on the parameters of anther growth (%), anther callus (%), embryo (pcs / 100 anther), plantlet (pcs / 100 anther) and acclimatized plant (pcs / 100 anther). The results of the studies conducted in the spring period directed the studies in the autumn period. As the efficacy of maltose was found to be remarkable as a result of spring studies, the effect of different doses of maltose was investigated in the autumn period. In spring, a total of 10.800 anthers belonging to the three cultivars were cultured in solid, liquid and double-layered anther culture media. Of these, 3.600 anthers were cultured in solid medium; 64 embryos, 45 plantlets and 45 aclimatized plants were obtained. In the autumn period, 14.400 anthers belonging to two cultivars were cultured in solid and liquid anther culture media. A total of 3.543 embryos, 1.604 plantlets and 1.445 aclimatized plants were obtained from 9.600 anthers cultured in solid media. In this study, embryos and plantlets were also obtained from liquid anther culture experiments in autumn for the first time in eggplant and regenerated plants were transferred to external conditions. These pioneering results for eggplant can be described as a preliminary study and have the potential to generate much higher embryo and plantlets yield by optimization. As the result; it was determined that the donor plants grown in autumn season, the A117 F among the genotypes and the solid cultures among different culture types responded much better to eggplant anther cultures. As a remarkable result for again eggplant anther cultures; it has been found that the appropriate doses of maltose, activated charcoal and silver nitrate in solid medium type have positive synergistic effect on embryo and plant formation. Thanks to this effect, embryo yield has been increased up to 320 embryos / 100 anther in eggplant anther culture.