Differentiation and development of somatic embryos in suspension cultures in Pennesetum [Pennisetum] americanum

Embryogenesis and development of somatic embryos to maturity within suspension cultures is a rare feature in the Gramineae. The present report describes somatic embryogenesis in suspension cultures in Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D in Pennisetum, americanum cv. RCB-2. Embryoid bearing clumps and embryoidal cultures were obtained within the same liquid medium after subcultures. Embryoids matured after transfer in liquid MS medium devoid of growth regulators and were induced to germinate and form plantlets which were transplanted to field conditions.