In vitro propagation of reed grass by somatic embryogenesis

A micropropagation system using regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescences has been optimized. This system is proposed for the production of the macrophyte Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. for the construction of wetlands used in wastewater purification. Embryogenic calli were produced in florets from inflorescences in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the induction media. Up to 28.4% of the calli were embryogenic. Somatic embryos developed into plantlets when transferred to the regeneration medium lacking growth regulators. The addition of myo-inositol to the induction medium resulted in the highest number of plantlets on the regeneration medium. A decrease in the number of plantlets was observed when the embryogenic calli were maintained longer than three months on the induction medium. Plantlets can be further propagated by node culture. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized and developed normally showing no morphological differences when compared to seed-grown plants.