The ability to produce haploids in anther culture in vitro is a genetically determined and heritable trait. High performances in direct embryogenesis and plant regeneration are considered to be unique characters of certain genotypes. At the same time low androgenetic response of most hybrids, strongly restricts DH-line production. Besides of technique improvement, significant increase in the efficiency of haploid production may be reached by the involvement of highly responsive varieties and lines into hybridization. The investigation was aimed to test spring barley varieties and lines for response to haploid production in anther culture in vitro in order to find the most valuable genotypes combining high culture ability with important agronomic traits. More than 100 spring barley genotypes were screened for reaction to cultivation of anthers in vitro. Among them there were varieties possessing hulless grain, waxy endosperm, awnless spikes, high protein content as well as resistance to loose smut and to covered smut. Cut tillers or isolated spikes were subjected to cold pretreatment at 4ºС in the dark for 5 days or 28 days respectively. Anthers were inoculated onto the inductive media containing N6 macro-, MS micronutrients, organic supplements (vitamins, amino acids), 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D 0.5 mg/l BAP, maltose (9.0%) and solidifying with agar or chemically modified starches. Tested varieties responded in a different way however none of them exceeded model genotype DH00-126 (up to 145 green plants per 100 cultivated anthers). Most of genotypes had low androgenetic ability. The high percentages of morphogenic anthers were revealed in awnless variety Modern (47.00 %), in varieties Revansh (51.5 %), Signal (47.2 %), Rosalina (32.05 %) resistant to covered smut as well as in varieties Velikan (49.0 %), Yavir (31.2 %) possessed high protein content. Variety Tula was the most responsive among hulless varieties (47.3 %). None of varieties with waxy endosperm was highly responsive. The highest yield of green plants was obtained in varieties Modern and Revansh (71 and 49 plants per 100 anthers respectively). In the rest varieties above mentioned, green plant yields ranged from 6.4 to 21.4 plants per 100 anthers. All highly responsive varieties gave good results in crosses. At least one of the parents needs to be highly responsive because of dominant (more or less) inheritance of this trait. Highly responsive to androgenesis in vitro genotypes suitable for use in the special breeding programs (high protein content, resistance to smut diseases etc.) were selected among varieties with different valuable agronomic traits. A spring barley collection of genotypes related to their diversity for androgenesis in vitro abilities was created.