Production of haploids and double haploids in annual (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial (L. perenne) ryegrasses

Abstract

Anthers from 32 genotypes from one line of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and 229 genotypes from 15 cultivars of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) were tested for the production of haploids and double haploids. Six (23%) annual and 71 (31%) perennial ryegrass genotypes produced calli ranging from 1.3-16% and 0.8- 12.2% respectively. However none of the annual ryegrass genotypes produced green plants and only one genotype (Option WH-1) of perennial ryegrass produced 16 (1.8%) green plants. The remaining produced only albino regenerates. Twelve of the 16 green plants were evaluated cytologically for chromosome numbers. Four were haploids thus confirming their origin from haploid pollen. The remaining eight were all diploids. One haploid and one diploid were tested for their homozygous condition using seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and were found to be homozygous at all seven loci. In order to increase the recovery of green regenerates, we have used the responsive genotype Option WH-1 in crosses with three other perennial ryegrass genotypes and the progenies are currently been grown for anther culture