Callus induction and plant regeneration via anther culture in mutant tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) lines with anther abnormalities

Abstract

Anthers from two tomato mutants, solanifolia (sf) and trifoliate (tf), characterized by anther abnormalities, 4 male sterile tomato mutants (ms 15²⁶, ms 30, ms 32, and ms 33), and their isogenic fertile lines were cultured in vitro, using three modifications of MS media. The frequency of callus induction in the mutant anthers was significantly higher than in the wild type ones in all genotypes, a result independent of the medium. Pseudofruits surrounded by well-developed calli appeared from the anthers of San Marzano ms 15, Vans Early ms 26, San Marzano ms 30, and VF 11 Pearson ms 33. The higher callus induction in the mutant anthers correlated with higher frequency of organogenesis. The fact that, in addition to the ms-mutants, solanifolia and trifoliate also affected callus frequency, suggested that in tomato, process/es leading to, or resulting from anther abnormalities might be favorable for enhancing anther callus induction and subsequent regeneration.