Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.)

We have established a high-frequency plant regeneration system via somatic embryogenesis from mature seeds of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds). The effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 3.6-dichloroo-anisic acid (dicamba) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) on callus formation and embryogenesis were evaluated. Callus produced on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) medium containing 2,4-D had low embryogenic potency. In the presence of 30 μM dicamba, addition of 2.25 to 9 μM BA significantly enhanced embryogenic callus formation over dicamba alone. Optimum frequency of somatic embryogenesis was achieved on MS basal medium containing 30 μM dicamba and 2.25 μM BA. Over 80% of somatic embryos germinated and formed plantlets on half-strength MS basal medium. These plantlets grew normally in the greenhouse.