Enhanced Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus)

Enhanced somatic embryogenic system was developed using zygotic embryos of Dendrocalamus strictus. Linsmeir and Skoog (LS) medium supplemented with 27.14?M 2,4-D was suitable for the induction of somatic embryogenic callus. Proliferation of embryogenic callus was improved by selective and timely subculturing of embryogenic regions. The germination potential of somatic embryos was improved through exogenous supply of 1.0 �M abscisic acid (ABA). The mature embryos were germinated and developed into normal plantlets when placed on hormone free LS medium. Production of non-embryogenic callus was highly reduced by culturing the isolated scutellar tissues. Morphological observations showed the typical graminaceous mode of embryo development with globular, scutellar and coleoptular stages. Histological studies confirmed the origin of somatic embryo from the peripheral cells of scutellum. The reliable regeneration system with high frequency plantlet formation developed would be useful in propagation and genetic improvement of D. strictus.