In vitro somatic embryogenesis in turf‐type bermudagrass: roles of abscisic acid and gibberellic acid, and occurrence of secondary somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

AbstractBermudagrass is an important warm‐season turfgrass species that is recalcitrant in regeneration in tissue culture. In a previous report, we observed that somatic embryogenesis of immature inflorescence culture was substantially improved when low levels of 2,4‐dichloro‐phenoxy acetic acid (1 mg/l) and 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP, 0.01 mg/l) were included in the callus induction medium. The object of this study was to further improve the culture conditions to enhance somatic embryo formation and plantlet regeneration. It was shown that the abscisic acid supplement (2 or 5 mg/l) to the above callus induction medium further enhanced somatic embryogenesis in hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon×Cynodon transvaalensis) cv. ‘Tifgreen’. The addition of gibberellic acid (0. 2 mg/l) to the BAP (1 mg/l)‐containing regeneration medium accelerated germination/regeneration of the somatic embryos. Secondary and repetitive somatic embryogenesis, which is rarely reported in monocots, was observed in common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon, cv. ‘Savannah’), and a full course of such a development was captured by a periodical microphotography. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed the observation.