IN VITRO REGENERATION VIA CALLUS INDUCTION IN DENDROCALAMUS ASPER (SCHULT.) BACKER

We developed an efficient plant regeneration system for culturing the plantlets of a valued ornamental bamboo species Dendrocalamus asper by using mature zygotic embryos as explants. The effects of different basal media and concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on callus induction were analyzed. Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 3 mg l(-1 )or 0.5 mg l(-1) 2,4-D was suitable for callus formation and proliferation, respectively. In addition, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l(-1) N-6-benzyladenine (BA), 1 mg l(-1) kinetin, and 0.5 mg l(-1) alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid was optimal for the callus differentiation and subsequent shoot growth, resulting in a higher differentiation up to 43.4%. The differentiation of callus subcultured twice was higher than that of callus subcultured more times. The root formation was 90% in the half-strength MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting plantlets showed a 95% survival when they were transferred and grew in the greenhouse.