Callus induction and high frequency plant regeneration in Italian millet (Setaria italica)

Callus was induced from mature seeds of two cultivars of Setaria italica (L.) on Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962) supplemented with 2mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l KN. Regenerating ability of the callus was better in the cultivar 315 compared to 212. Organogenesis was influenced not only by cytokinin, but also by the sucrose concentration in the medium. High frequency (80%) plant regeneration was achieved and quantified on the basis of callus fresh weight. The ability of the callus (cultivar 212) to regenerate whole plants was retained until the 5th passage, but during the 6th passage it declined considerably.