Induction medium osmolality improves microspore embryogenesis in wheat and triticale

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of induction medium osmolality on embryogenesis and green plant production in wheat and triticale. Isolated microspores of wheat and triticale were subjected to a range of osmolality (300-500 mOsm kg-1) using mannitol. In both species, the maximum number of embryo-like structures (ELS) and green plants were obtained at 350 mOsm kg-1 when the induction medium was supplemented with 9.1 g L-1 of mannitol. A sharp decline in microspore response was observed at higher osmolality. These results demonstrate the effect of osmolality on induction of ELS and production of green plants indicating that the process of microspore embryogenesis can be improved in wheat and triticale by increasing osmolality of the induction medium to 350 mOsm kg-1. © 2013 The Society for In Vitro Biology.