Embryogenic Callus Production, Plant Regeneration and Transient Gene Expression Following Particle Bombardment in the Pasture Grass, Cenchrus ciliaris (Gramineae)

Abstract

Callus initiated from surface sterilised, mature seeds of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) gave rise to an embryogenic form when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's nutrient medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 5% coconut water and 4 mg L^-1 2,4-D. Multiple green shoots regenerated on 20% to 50% of embryogenic calli after transfer to hormone-free medium and incubation in the light. Variations in cytokinin concentration and light intensity during regeneration did not significantly increase the regeneration frequency or the number of shoots produced. Regenerated plants developed normally when transplanted to soil. A high frequency of transient expression of the β-glucuronidase gene resulted following transfer into embryogenic callus by particle bombardment. This is a promising system for production of transformed buffel grass plants, if the frequency of shoot production can be increased.