The enhancement of anther culture efficiency in Brassica napus ssp. oleifera Metzg. (Sinsk.) using low doses of gamma irradiation

summary Selected buds of Brassica napus ssp. oleifera Metzg. (Sinsk) cvs Ariana and Primor were treated with various doses of γ‐irradiation. When the anthers were removed and cultured, it was shown that low doses of γ‐irradiation greatly enhanced anther culture efficiency in both cultivars. When microspore culture techniques were used, however, embryogenesis was reduced by irradiation in all treatments. Some of the resulting embryoids developed directly into plantlets, whereas others developed abnormally and produced secondary embryoids. Plants were regenerated from both anther embryoids and secondary embryoids and, following diploidization, seed was obtained from these plants.