Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in barnyardgrass, Echinochloa oryzicola vasing

Abstract Callus was obtained from leaf sheath segments in barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa oryzicola Vasing) cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) inorganic medium containing 2, 5 or 8 mg/l of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Callus was subcultured for over 18 months on the medium containing vitamins and 2,4-D, and was then transferred to media containing cytokinin or auxin at various concentrations. Shoot formation and root formation, through somatic embryogenesis from the callus, were stimulated by addition of cytokinin and auxin, respectively. Regenerated plants were diploid and tetraploid. Diploid plants were green and grew to maturity in soil. Tetraploid plants were albino and did not grow into mature plants.