Different culture media on the induction and multiplication of calluses from citrus anthers

The haploids used in breeding programs facilitates the genetic analysis by eliminating the complexity of the heterozygous state. However, this technique has not provided satisfactory results when applied to Citrus and related genera. In the present study, we aimed to refine the protocols for producing calluses in different species of Citrus and one species of Poncirus. The plant material used was collected from the Citrus Germplasm Active Bank of EMBRAPA Cassava & Fruits, and the work was developed in the Tissue Culture Laboratory of this institution. Four culture media were used in the callus induction stage. Each culture medium was considered an isolated factor and applied to each of the eight genotypes studied, totaling 32 experiments. Among the genotypes, different experiments were conducted based on the difference in the size of the floral buds. Only the anthers extracted from the floral buds of the Citrus medica L. genotype responded to the treatments applied in the induction stage. Consequently, only this species was submitted to the callus multiplication stage, in which two experiments were performed with two culture media. The other genotypes are still being investigated to promote future protocol adjustments to allow the continuity of the studies on callus induction.