Rapid In Vitro Propagation of Bioenergy Crop Miscanthus Sacchariflorus

Abstract

Miscanthus sacchariflorus is an important perennial bioenergy feedstock, but no information is available regarding plant rapid propagation from in vitro seed grown plantlets. The present study investigates the effects of the types and combination of plant growth regulators on tissue culture system of M. sacchariflorus. Shoot apices from in vitro germinated seedling explants were tested for adventitious shoot proliferation. The highest level of proliferation (proliferation coefficient 11.66) was obtained when shoot apices were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.05 mg L−1 α–naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. The highest root number (13.33) and root length (9.67 cm) were obtained when adventitious shoots were cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.4 mg L−1 NAA, 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. The efficient plant regeneration system developed here will be helpful for rapid propagation and further genetic improvement in M. sacchariflorus.