Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration from Mature Zygotic Embryos of Dendrocalamus asper

We developed an efficient plant regeneration system for culturing the plantlets of the bamboo species Dendrocalamus asper by using the mature zygotic embryos as the explants. Callus formation was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was optimal for the callus proliferation. In addition, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 6-benzyladenine, 1 mg/l kinetin, and 0.5 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid was optimal for the callus differentiation and subsequent shoot growth, resulting in a higher differentiation rate up to 45%. When the calli were subcultured twice, the rate of the callus differentiation was higher than the rates after subcultured several times. The rate of the root formation was 90% in the 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting plantlets showed a 95% survival rate when they were transferred and grew in the greenhouse. The developed regeneration system provides a tool for genetic improvement in bamboos.