DIRECT EMBRYOGENESIS FROM CULTURED ANTHERS AND PISTILS OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA

Direct somatic embryoids were initiated from orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) anthers and unpollinated pistils cultured in the dark at 25 C on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium supplemented with 30 MM dicamba (3,6 dichloro-o-anisic acid). Stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the embryoids originated from anther walls and from ovary and style regions of pistils. Callus initiation from direct embryoids leading to secondary embryogenesis was observed in pistils cultured from 4-6 wk. The ability of these calli to proliferate and initiate new embryoids through the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of preexisting embryoids suggests long-term totipotency.