Abstract
Albino plants from seven different strains (I-VII) obtained by spontaneous or X-ray induced mutations in the diploid progenies of triploid hybrids between Avena barbata (2n=28) and A. strigosa (2n=14), were successfully grown to maturity in artificial culture media in test-tubes.
Based on the results obtained from several culture experiments the following conditions were determined as most adequate for the plant growth: (1) White's mineral nutrient solution with 0.4M glucose and 0.5g brewer's yeast “Ebios” per liter and 0.9% agar, (2) the temperature of 25±1°C, and (3) the continuous illumination by 1000-1300lux light at the plant level during the culture period.
Some albino plants produced panicles with usually one or occasionally two spikelets. The florets had normal stamens and pistils. The pollen mitosis took place in the normal manner. Pollen grains with two sperm nuclei and one vegetative nucleus were often observed.
Some leaves of albino plants of strains I, II, IV, V and VI showed characteristic changes in color, being usually tinged with slight green, pale green or pale yellow, but those of other strains, III and VII, remained quite white while they were alive.
By detailed observations it was further found that in albino plants from different strains or, even in the same strains, certain plant organs showed various degrees of growth in response to the culture conditions. These characteristic responses to the culture conditions seem to occur due to different genetic backgrounds in these strains.
Green plants consisted of both heterozygous and homozygous green segregates were cultured as control by the same method as used for albino plants. In most case they grew well and produced panicles more frequently. However no remarkable difference in plant growth including pollen formation was observed between green and albino plants although more or less different responses to the culture conditions could usually be observed.
