Abstract
Explants from immature inflorescences of four genotypes of Old World bluestem grasses, (Bothriochloa spp.), produced callus tissue on Linsmaier and Skoog (RM) and 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (1/2 MS) media containing high levels of growth regulators. Callus masses were composed of two distinct tissue types, one a compact, white, embryogenic portion (E calli), the other soft, translucent, gelatinous and nonembryogenic (NE calli). When transferred to medium with a reduced level of 2,4-D, and/or supplemented with zeatin, E callus underwent further organization culminating in shoot production. Light and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the embryogenic pathway of differentiation. Genotype significantly affected callus induction frequency and the number of plants regenerated. The RM medium induced more explants to initiate callus compared to the 1/2 MS medium. Age of the inflorescence explant, as indicated by size, was critical for callus induction. Inflorescences with racemes ≤8 mm in length were superior to older ones. Five-hundred-twenty-two plantlets were regenerated and grown to maturity.
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Metzinger, B.D., Taliaferro, C.M., Johnson, B.B. et al. In vitro regeneration of apomictic bluestem grasses. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 10, 31–38 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00037494
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00037494