Haploid Induction via In Vitro Gynogenesis in Persian Shallot (Allium hirtifolium)

Haploid induction using in vitro cultures of unpollinated flowers has been recognized as an important tool to produce homozygous plants for genetic studies and breeding programs. In this study the potential of gynogenic haploid induction in four ecotypes of Allium hirtifolium under different combinations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), or α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was investigated. Unpollinated flower buds were excised from an umbel 5 to 3 days before anthesis, and cultured onto B5 medium containing 7.5% sucrose and 2 mg·dm⁻³ BAP with auxin. The experiments revealed that NAA increased the percentage of gynogenesis induction and number of gynogenic embryos per flower in all ecotypes. Somatic organogenesis from basal callus or other floral parts was most effective on the media containing 2,4-D. Plants obtained by gynogenesis were haploid in 70–77% and plants from somatic tissue were mostly diploid.