Effects of growth regulators on callus cell growth, plant regeneration, and somaclonal variation of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)

Abstract

Immature inflorescences of smooth bromegrass were cultured on MS agar media supplemented with varying combinations of 2,4-D and kinetin. Callus was initiated from segments of young inflorescences on each medium. All of the calli were subcultured monthly for 5–6 times and transferred onto hormone-free MS medium for plant regeneration. Addition of kinetin to the basal medium stimulated shoot initiation in the callus cultures. Plantlets were regenerated only from calli grown on media containing 2 and 6 mg I-1 2,4-D with a supplement of 0.2 mg I-1 kinetin. No albino plantlets were produced. Morphological characteristics and dry matter yield of ten somaclones and the parental plant (SBG7) were studied in the greenhouse in a randomized complete block experiment with five replications. There was significant variation (P>0.01) among genotypes for all morphological characteristics studied. Although all somaclone heights and leaf widths were lower than those of the parental plant, the somaclone F9A, F10A, and F10B had larger tiller numbers, and leaf/stem ratio by dry weight than the parental plant. Only somaclone F9B gave higher specific leaf area and leaf area ratio than the parental plant. Almost all somaclones had the same leaf length, total dry weight, and specific leaf weight as the parental plant. The variation found in somaclones should permit selection for desirable agronomic traits.