Callus production and plant regeneration from mature embryos of Poa pratensis L.

Plant regeneration from callus cultures may provide a source ot somaclonal variation for the improvement ot the apomictic grass Poa pratensis L. It is first necessary to be able to induce callus and regenerate plants in this species at a high frequency. Variation was observed between 50 cutivars of Poa pratensis for callus induction and plant regeneration. Using the cultivars ‘Merion’ and ‘Victa’, three basal media were tested along with various media additives. Murashige and Skoog's basal medium with 0.2 mg 1−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.1 mg 1−1 6-benzylamanopurine, 100 mg 1−1 casein hydrolysate and 25 g 1−1 sucrose is considered to be a good medium for callus growth and plant regeneration. Embryo-like structures were observed in the callus of some cultivars but plant regeneration appeared to be predominantly from shoot meristems on the callus surface. The majority of regenerated shoots were green, but chlorophyll deficient shoots were obtained from media containing coconut milk. Green plantlets could be transferred to soil without difficulty.