Author(s)

Ming Y. Zheng^1*, Allyson Fournier¹, Yujia Weng²

¹Department of Biology, Gordon College, Wenham, MA, USA.
²Cell Signaling Technology, Inc., Danvers, MA, USA.

Albinism is a common problem encountered by researchers in anther/microspore cultures of cereal crops. The present study investigates the effects of temperature variations on embryogenesis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) microspores. Following a cold (4°C - 13°C) vs. heat (33°C) shock to wheat tillers, microspores were isolated and cultured in a liquid medium to obtain embryoids. Data on embryogenic microspore%, embryoid yield, plant regeneration% and green plant% were collected and analyzed. Cold pretreatment of 4°C or 10°C for a period of 6 or 10 days were more effective than other cold temperature regimes in inducing microspore embryogenesis. The heat shock of 33°C yielded the highest numbers of embryogenic microspores and embryoids. The albino-prone genotypes produced significantly higher green plant% following optimal cold shock, as compared to the standard 33°C heat shock. Results from present study suggest that cold shock may be a desirable alternative for germplasm that produce lower green plant% using heat shock. Lowered incubation temperature during embryoid development did not result in higher green plant.

Albinism, Microspore Embryogenesis, Embryoid, Stress Treatment, Wheat

Zheng, M. , Fournier, A. and Weng, Y. (2023) Differential Effects of Cold and Heat Shock on Embryogenic Induction and Green Plant Regeneration from Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Microspores. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 14, 308-322. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2023.143021.