Doubled haploid populations offer special advantages in genetic analyses, since the information they provide may be maximized due to the fact that all loci are homozygous. The aim of this study was to develop two barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp.vulgare L.) doubled-haploid (DHs) populations segregating to (1-3, 1-4)-β-glucanases activity, utilizing the anther culture protocol. Two crosses were performed with contrasting cultivars to (1-3, 1-4)-β-glucanases activity. Parental cultivars used were 'MN 698' and 'CEV 97047' for the development of 'green malt' population (MV) and Embrapa 127 and 'CEV 96025' for the development of "dry malt" population (MS). For the MS and MV populations, 10,734 and 4,139 anthers were cultured, respectively. MV population produced 50% more green seedlings as compared to MS population, which reflects the importance of genotype to the culturing of anthers and to regeneration. Most doubled-haploid adult plants were obtained by in vitro spontaneous duplication of the haploid genome, which occurred in 66% of plants from the MS population and 76% of plants from the MV population. Haploid, triploid and tetraploid individuals were also observed, though at low frequencies. The anther culture protocol afforded to develop 204 double-haploid lineages, of which 72 were generated by the 'dry malt' population and 132 from the "green malt" population. This material should be considered as important germplasm for barley genetic improvement.
anther culture; androgenetic response; Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare
