In vitro culture of switchgrass: Influence of 2,4-d and picloram in combination with benzyladenine on callus initiation and regeneration

The objective of this study was to determine the types and concentrations of auxins and cytokinins that would result in effective culture initiation and plant regeneration of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Whole caryopses and young seedling explants were cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations of picloram or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d) in combination with benzyladenine. Best results from mature caryopses were obtained with 11.3–45.0 M 2,4-d in combination with 15.0 or 45.0 M benzyladenine (BA). More than 300 plants were obtained per embryogenic callus from some treatments after the second transfer to regeneration medium (90 days after initiation of the cultures). Regeneration was obtained from young seedling explants with both auxins. However, picloram was more effective over a wider range of BA concentrations than 2,4-d. Protocols developed during this study were used to regenerate hundreds of plants which could easily be established in the field.