Factors influencing the establishment of haploid embryogenic callus from anthers in Jatropha curcas (L.)

Abstract

Jatropha curcas (L.) is a small perennial tree or large shrub widely cultivated throughout Central America, Africa and Asia. There are several reasons for developing Jatropha curcas as a new energy crop. As it does not compete with conventional food crops for land, water and manpower, it acquires a separate status [1]. Worldwide, introduction of Jatropha for biofuel met with limited success due to unreliable oil yields. Available planting material is indeterminate with variability in yield components and oil content. Currently crop improvement work in this species is limited [2]. The interspecific and intervarietal hybridization in Jatropha species can play a significant role in transferring useful traits such as high oil content, high number of seeds, and more femaleness for promotion of a highly heterozygous, long-generation Jatropha species. No reports are available for in vitro androgenesis in Jatropha. Thus, anther culture can be used with usual breeding practices to produce interspecific and intervarietal hybrids. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study various factors for commencement of embryogenic callus line from anthers in Jatropha.