Plant Regeneration from Young Shoot of Nilegrass (Acroceras macrum)

To optimize the method for embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration from young shoot explants of Nilegrass (a warm-season forage grass species), young shoots were cultured onto LS medium supplemented with 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/l BA, 4 mg/l Thiamine-HCl,100 mg/l, α-ketoglutaric acid, 30 g/l sucrose and 2.6 g/l phytagel for 8 weeks. The highest callus formation and embryogenic callus induction was obtained on LS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l  2,4-D (27.50% and 13.75%, respectively). The embryogenic nature of the compact structure was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The embryogenic calli were cultured on LS media supplemented with 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mg/l BA, 3% sucrose and 2.6 g/l phytagel. After 8 weeks of culture, the highest regeneration percentages (100%) was obtained on 5 mg/l BA. The plantlets were successfully transferred to grow in the soil.