Production and performance of gynogenetic sugarbeet lines.

In vitro techniques were used to obtain haploid and doubled haploid lines of gynogenetic origin in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.). Two pathways of regeneration were available for unfertilized ovule culture - embryogenesis and organogenesis. Regenerants were obtained from primary explants of diploid and tetraploid donor plants on MS nutrient medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine and sucrose. Flow cytometry indicated spontaneous polyploidization in all primarily haploid ovule-derived lines that originated from Belarusian cultivars. Mixoploidy that occured in doubled haploids was overcome through micropropagating apices of generative shoots. Performance of sugarbeet plants of ovule origin and hybrids produced with these lines indicated that promising breeding lines could be selected from gynogenetic lines.