XVI International Botanical Congess

The response of anther culture from five male cultivars of date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. from Iraq namely Adie, Ghanami Akhdar, Ghulami, Khikri Wardi and Smaismi were studied. Viability of pollen grains from the five cultivars were determined by the use of aqueous solution 0.7% of the salt 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. The cultivar Smaismi showed the highest percentages of viable pollen grains and cultivar Adie was the lease in viability. The anther culture on standard medium and standard medium with supplements as 8-hydroxy quinoline (HQ), Colchicine (C) and Indole Butric Acid (IBA). The culture supplemented with mixture of Colchicine and Indole Butric Acid were more successful than other combinations. The anthers of cultivar Smaismi performed better on artificial culture than other cultivars. It was concluded that production of haploids and homozygous dipolids and possible genetic improvement through anther culture is possible in date palm.