303. Nair AS, Heslop-Harrison P, Schwarzacher T. 2013. Production of haploid tissues and SNP analysis of the genome in Musa acuminata cv.‘Matti’ (AA). Plant Mutation Reports 3(1): 18-24.

Haploid and doubled haploid plants are of considerable value in genetic studies, genomics and plant breeding, allowing characterization and exploitation of genes where only one allele is present. Inbred banana lines have not been developed and with very few haploids or homozygotes reported, we aimed to develop new materials for genetic and genomic studies and to see if protocols could be improved using a range of genetic material not previously investigated. Anther culture was carried out using four Musa acuminata (AA) cultivars grown in homestead cultivation in Kerala, southern India. Protocols based on using modified MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BA (0.1 mg l-1 each) were used. Embryogenic callus was regenerated from 4% of anthers of cv. Matti. The callus produced somatic embryos that developed small leaves but haploid plant regeneration was not achieved. Regenerated leaf tissues had a haploid set of chromosomes/complement. The
haploid tissues provided a source of DNA which may be suitable for whole genome shotgun approaches to resequencing, where the high levels of heterozygosity in Musa would impair assembly.

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