High frequency plant regeneration of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats by somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis

Abstract

Embryogenic callus cultures were obtained upon repeated sub-culture of non-embryogenic callus from nodal segments of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 mg/l kinetin and Linsmaier and Skoog's medium supplemented with 2mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.4 mg/l kinetin were used as maintenance media for non-embryogenic and embryogenic cultures, respectively. Plant regeneration occurred through organogenesis in MS basal media containing 2 mg/l kinetin, 1 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine, 0.2 mg/l biotin, 0.2 mg/l Ca-pantothonate and 0.1 mg/l napthalene acetic acid. Embryogenesis was induced in LS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l kinetin, 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mg/l 3-indole acetic acid. Plant regeneration at high frequency was recorded both through organogenesis and embryogenesis in different passages of long term callus cultures.

Genetic polymorphism analysis of somatic embryo-derived plantlets of Cymbopogon flexuosus through RAPD assay

“…The addition of CaP and biotin, though not obligatory, helps in producing luxuriant growth. The present investigation on the role of CaP and biotin on regeneration is in conformity with earlier reports (Baruah and Bordoloi 1989). The analysis of the similarity coefficient based on Nei Li's similarity coefficient equation (Nei and Li 1979) revealed a high degree of relatedness of the majority of regenerated plantlets to the parent clone.…”

“…There are also a very limited number of reports of tissue culture practices in Cymbopogon species, particularly in C. flexuosus. Preliminary tissue culture studies especially on organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from nodal segments and inflorescences has been worked out in C. martinii and C. winterianus (Baruah Bordoloi 1989;Sahoo and Debata 1995;Jagadishchandra 1980, 1991;Nayak et al 1992). Moreover, successful regeneration and establishment of plantlets from NaCl-tolerant callus lines along with embryogenesis from cell suspension cultures have been reported in C. martinii (Patnaik and Debata 1997).…”

“…However, this information in non-cereal crops with reference to aromatic species is meager (Baruah and Bordoloi 1989). Cymbopogon species are one such group of grasses bearing important aromatic compounds (Guenther 1950) of which only a few aspects have been worked out in detail.…”

Somatic embryogenesis from rhizome explants of Cymbopogon winterianus

“…The addition of CaP and biotin, though not obligatory, helped in luxuriant growth. The present investigation on the role of CaP and biotin on regeneration is identical with earlier reports for other species of Cymbopogon (Baruah and Bordoloi 1989). The formation of somatic embryos that is said to be single cell origin (Haccius 1978) is of rare occurrence in grasses.…”

“…Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt, commonly known as citronella Java, is a vegetatively propagated perennial grass due to extremely poor seed setting and low germination percentage. Since 1980s, in vitro multiplication of Cymbopogon species by using different explants such as nodal segments, inflorescence and rhizome has been performed in C. martinii, C. flexuosus, C. nardus and C. winterianus (Sreenath and Jagadishchandra 1980, Baruah and Bordoloi 1989, Sahoo and Debata 1995, Nayak et al 1992, 1996, Bhattacharya et al 2008a. However, somatic embryogenesis from rhizome explants of C. winterianus has not been reported so far.…”