Enhanced somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in Cenchrus ciliaris L.

A highly reproducible plant regeneration protocol through somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis has been developed for Cenchrus ciliaris. Three explants (seeds, shoot apices, and immature inflorescences) of four genotypes (IG-3108, IG-718, IG-74, and DBC15-8/32/10) were used for callus induction and plant regeneration. The highest rate of callus formation was found using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 benzylaminopurine (BA) and 3.0 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The largest number of somatic embryos was generated with the addition of 400 mg L−1 L-proline, 400 mg L−1 L-glutamine, and 300 mg L−1 casein hydrolysate. Somatic embryos were successfully germinated on MS medium with 3.0 mg L−1 BA and 0.25 mg L−1 2,4-D. In vitro plant regeneration was accomplished through somatic embryogenesis using all three explants. Ultra-structural features of somatic embryos confirmed proper formation and ontogeny.