Anther Culture Response in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

20 diploid clones from 7 varieties, and 10 tetraploid clones from 3 varieties of Lolium perenne were tested in replicated anther culture experiments. Embryos or calluses, were obtained from all clones, and plants were regenerated from all clones except one. The total yield of plants (albino and green plants) ranged from 0 to 61 plants per 100 cultured anthers among genotypes, and there was a general tendency for tetraploic genotypes to be more responsive. Viable green plants were obtained from 5 diploid and 7 tetraploid clones representing 2 and 3 varieties, respectively. Their origin from reduced pollen was confirmed by a haploid chromosome number in some regenerants and by homozygosity for isozyme loci in spontaneously chromosome doubled plants produced from heterozygous diploid donor plants. A large number of the plants were successfully established in the soil. For most donor genotypes, green plants were rare exceptions, but two diploic clones consistently produced 2.3 and 3.8 green plants per 100 cultured anthers, respectively. Estimates of variance components from replicates with greenhouse and field-grown donor plants showed that genotypes accounted for about 73 per cent of the total variation in yield of embryos/calluses, while only 14—15 per cent of the total variation was due to replicates. Hence at present, emphasis should be placed on die selection of high-response genotypes in material of high agronomic potential.