Plant regeneration from suspension culture derived protoplasts of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) of a single genotype

Abstract

Protoplasts were isolated from suspension cultured cells of a single genotype from tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and cultured by the agarose bead method. Colonies were formed only when nurse cells were added to the liquid medium around the agarose blocks. Plating efficiency was higher in AA medium than in B5 medium. Protoplast-derived colonies were transferred to MS or N6 solid medium supplemented with, or without, 2,4-D and proline. Some of the protoplasts from cultivar Nanryo grew into yellow compact calluses that differentiated into green plantlets. When the protoplast derived colonies were plated directly on hormone-free media, the regerants were less vigorous than when subcultured once or twice on media supplemented with 2,4-D and proline. Albino shoots were regenerated more frequently than green shoots. More than thirty regenerated plants could be transferred to soil.