Embryogenesis and haploid plant regeneration from anther culture of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to generate haploid marigold plantlet by examining the impact of plant growth regulators on callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration from anther cultures. The developmental stages of anthers were correlated with the morphological stages of flower bud development. Anthers containing microspores at the uninucleate stage were isolated from buds and cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal media supplemented with various combinations of growth hormones. The MS media supplemented with 4.44 μM BAP and 1.07 μM NAA was recorded to be most effective for; percent callus induction (69.16%), early callus induction (16.67 days) and induction of green colour calli with leaves. Shoot differentiation media, containing BAP (2.22–4.44 μM) and NAA (0.54–1.07 μM), yielded green regenerated plantlets at the highest frequency (58.91%) when using MS media supplemented with BAP (4.44 μM) and NAA (1.07 μM). MS media without PGR proved to be the most suitable rooting medium. Cytological analysis of root tip cells from fifty regenerated plants revealed three confirmed haploid individuals. This protocol serves as a valuable basis for further research aimed at developing homozygous Tagetes erecta and other Tagetes species.