Selection of S-(2-aminoethyl)-l-cysteine tolerance in embryogenic calli and regenerated plants of Pennisetum purpureum schum

Abstract

Embryogenic callus tissues of Pennisetum purpureum were selected for tolerance to S-(2-Aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (AEC). Calli were selected after 18 weeks on media containing 0.125, 0.25 and 0.50 mM of AEC. AEC tolerant calli readily regenerated green shoots on regeneration medium both with and without the AEC. Leaves from tolerant mature regenerants formed embryogenic calli at high frequencies on AEC containing medium. The tolerant calli as well as the regenerants contained 21 to 47% more free lysine than that of the controls as determined by amino acid analysis.