Question

Anther culture technique was developed by

• A. Cocking
• B. Murashige and White
• C. Haberlandt
• D. Guha and Maheshwari

Hint:

Guha and Maheshwari = Haploids/Anther culture.
This is one of the most significant Indian contributions to global plant biotechnology that is frequently tested.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the scientists credited with the pioneering work in developing the technique for culturing anthers to produce haploid plants.
Detailed Explanation:

• Anther Culture and Haploidy:
Anther culture is a tissue culture technique where immature anthers containing microspores are placed on a nutrient medium.
Instead of developing into pollen, the microspores are induced to develop into embryos or callus, which eventually grow into haploid plants.

• Historical Milestone:
This landmark discovery was made in 1964 by two Indian scientists, Sipra Guha and S.C. Maheshwari, working at the University of Delhi.
They successfully produced haploid embryos from the anthers of Datura innoxia.

• Significance:
This technique is vital in plant breeding because it allows for the rapid production of homozygous lines (doubled haploids), significantly shortening the time required to develop new crop varieties.

• Analyzing other options:
Haberlandt: Known as the "Father of Plant Tissue Culture" for his concept of totipotency (1902).
Murashige and Skoog (MS): Developed the most widely used plant tissue culture medium (MS medium) in 1962.
Cocking (E.C. Cocking): Famous for his work on protoplast isolation and fusion.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The anther culture technique was developed by Guha and Maheshwari.