In the world of rice breeding, a groundbreaking study has shed new light on the intracallus cytotypic variation of regenerated Oryza sativa L. plants through in vitro androgenesis. This research, led by M. V. Ilyushko from the Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika, could have significant implications for the agricultural and energy sectors.
The study, published in ‘Труды по прикладной ботанике, генетике и селекции’ (Proceedings on Applied Botany, Genetics, and Breeding), focused on assessing the frequency of intracallus cytotypic variability in regenerated O. sativa plants. The research team studied 409 calli with multiple regenerations from thirty F1 and F2 hybrids, dividing the regenerated plants into five cytotypic groups: haploids, doubled haploids, aneuploids, tetraploids, and plants that died in the early stages of growth and development.
The findings revealed that 265 (64.8%) of the calli were polymorphic, with varying types of regenerated plants. “The differences between the calli of the F1 and F2 hybrids were highly significant in the haploids, doubled haploids, tetraploids, and dead regenerated plants,” noted Ilyushko. This high level of intracallus variability is a crucial factor in understanding the efficiency and reliability of in vitro androgenesis as a method for obtaining doubled haploids.
The study also found that the increase in the number of regenerated plantlets per callus was primarily due to the presence of haploid plants, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.81 (p < 0.05). This insight could be pivotal for breeders aiming to optimize their regeneration processes. The commercial impacts of this research are substantial. In vitro androgenesis is a reliable method for obtaining doubled haploids, which are essential for plant breeding programs. Understanding the intracallus cytotypic variability can help breeders improve the efficiency of their processes, leading to faster and more reliable development of new rice varieties. This, in turn, can enhance crop yields and contribute to food security. Moreover, the energy sector could also benefit from this research. Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world's population, and improving its yield and resilience can have a significant impact on global energy consumption patterns. By developing more efficient breeding techniques, we can reduce the need for extensive land use and agricultural inputs, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and energy-efficient food production system. This research opens up new avenues for exploration in the field of plant breeding. As Ilyushko and his team continue to delve into the complexities of intracallus variability, we can expect to see further advancements in the efficiency and reliability of in vitro androgenesis. The future of rice breeding looks promising, and this study is a significant step forward in that journey.