Question

Which of the following scientists first developed anther culture?
(a) Murashige and Skoog
(b) Guha and Maheshwari
(c) Watson and Crick
(d) M.S.Swaminathan

Answer 1

Anther culture is a type of plant regeneration from haploid microspore cells to produce haploid plants. It is generally used to develop instant homozygous inbred lines and the technique was first discovered between 1964-1966.

Complete answer:
Anther culture is an in-vitro artificial technique by which the developing anthers are taken from sterile flower buds at a specific stage. These are then cultured in a nutrient medium. In this medium, the microspores with the cultured anther develop into callus tissue which is termed embryoids. These embryoids in turn give rise to haploid plantlets through different techniques. Embryogenesis is one of those techniques.
This technique was first reported and developed by Guha and Maheswari and the first haploid tissue formed from anther culture was in 1964-1966. These pollen grains were extracted by Datura flowers. Haploids thus produced by anther culture carry only one allele out of each gene therefore any recessive change or characteristic is clearly visible. In addition to this production of haploids shorten the time for inbreeding for superior hybrid genotypes. Haploids thus produced provide a convenient system for the induction of mutations and selection of mutants with desired traits.

Additional information:
Factors affecting anther culture include:
- Genotype of donor plant
For example, in Hordeum vulgare, each genotype differs when androgenic responses differ. Also, highly responsive anthers should only be selected.
- Anther wall factor includes several conditions that help in promoting growth.
- Stage when pollen should be collected varies among different species
- Physiological status of donor plants means that good environmental conditions with good anthers will give rise to healthy plants and flowers that are obtained at the beginning of the flowering season are highly responsive.
- Anthers should be pre-treated for the healthy growth of haploid plant production.
- Low temperature prior to culture induces androgenesis whereas high temperature during pre-treatment of anther stimulates androgenesis
- Culture medium
It may vary among different genotypes and ages of the anther.
Culture is maintained on an auxin medium for a longer period to develop a friable callus.

So, the correct answer is option (b), ‘Guha and Maheshwari’.

Notes:
Anther culture has many advantages as it helps in studying various effects that cause mutation and it also helps in studying secondary metabolites content. In addition to this, it is a less time consuming, simple, and highly responsive technique.