Two experiments were carried (I) to determine tomato anther development stage influence on callus production; and (II) to investigate gamma radiation effects on anther culture. In the first experiment, anthers of a tomato hybrid (IPA 5 x Rotam 4 - F1) were grown on three media. Although calli were induced at all stages of anther development, varying from prophase I to mononucleate microspore, callus frequency decreased as anther development progressed and calli induction were not significantly affected by all media tested. Anthers containing prophase I meiocytes produced the highest calli frequency. Anther and flower bud length both were significantly correlated with anther development stage. In the second experiment, seeds and floral buds of tomato hybrids IPA 5 x Rotam 4 (F2), IPA 6 x Rotam 4 (F2) and IPA 8 x 217.1 (F2) were submitted to gamma-ray and anthers were plated on two media described by Gresshoff & Doy (1972) supplemented with 2.0 mg L-1 NAA + 5.0 mg L-1 KIN and 2.0 mg L-1 NAA + 1.0 mg L-1 KIN. No significant differences for genotype and dosage tested were found for calli formation.
Lycopersicon esculentum; anther culture; gamma-ray; tomato
