Factors influencing callus induction and plant regeneration of Dahurian wildrye grass (Elymus dahuricus L.)

Abstract

Establishment of highly efficient and reproducible regeneration system would greatly influence the efforts of improvement of Elymus sp. through gene transfer technology. A suitable callus induction and efficient regeneration protocol for Dahurian wildrye grass (Elymus dahuricus L.) was developed. It consisted of 3.0 mg/L 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or Dicamba + 1.0 g/L casein hydrolysate (CH) + 300 mg/L L-proline + 30 g/L sucrose in MS, and showed the highest percentage of callus induction. Highest (51%) regeneration was obtained from N6 medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D + 3.0 mg/L N₆-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 1.0 g/L CH + 300 mg/ L L-proline + 30 g/L sucrose. Thus, optimization of regeneration frequency using mature seeds as explants material may offer a simple and efficient protocol for Dahurian wildrye grass that may improve molecular breeding of this species.

Key words: Dahurian wildrye grass, Elymus dahuricus L., callus, plant regeneration.