Efficient protocols for in vitro regeneration of Pennisetum glaucum (L) Br.

A system was developed for in vitro regeneration of Pennisetum glaucum through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. Mature embryo and leaf base explants of Pennisetum glaucum (L) Br. cv HH B60 (Poaceae) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 11.3 microM of 2,4-D for callus induction. Embryogenic calli were induced within eight weeks. Percentage of callus induction and somatic embryogenesis was significantly higher in mature embryo than leaf base explants. Maximum shoot regeneration was obtained via organogenesis on MS medium supplemented with 4.43 microM of BAP and 4.64 microM of kinetin from the calli of both the explants. The frequency of plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis was comparatively lower than organogenesis. Regeneration frequency was higher in mature embryo explants than leaf base explants. The shoots regenerated via organogenesis were elongated and rooted efficiently on MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.49 microM). The rooted plantlets were hardened and transferred to soil.