The effectiveness of microspore embryogenesis (ME) is determined by a complex network of internal and environmental factors. In the present study on triticale and barley, strong positive correlation (r = 0.85) between the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ME effectiveness confirmed the important role of reactive oxygen species in microspore reprogramming. However, for high effectiveness of ME induction, intensive H2O2 generation had to be associated with high activity of antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The strong seasonal effect on the physiological status of microspores revealed in the study suggests a kind of ‘biological clock’ controlling plant reproduction, crucial for microspore viability and embryogenic potential. Although the effect of various modifications of ME-inducing stress tiller pre-treatment was determined mainly by the physiological condition of microspores, at higher stress intensity positive effects induced by antioxidant molecules—reduced glutathione and its precursor, l-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid—were observed. High level of variation in the response to ME-inducing stress tiller pre-treatment was also revealed between the two DH lines of triticale and two cultivars of barley and among microspores isolated from subsequently developed spikes.

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