CHARACTERIZATION OF BUFFELGRASS (CENCHRUS-CILIARIS L) CELL-SUSPENSIONCULTURES

Cell suspension cultures of buffelgrass were established from two type s of callus, a friable tan callus and a brown gelatinous callus, using Murashige and Skoog medium containing 13.6 muM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyace tic acid (2,4-D). The friable callus formed a rapidly growing suspensi on culture, designated BG, which had a doubling time of 2.5 days. The gelatinous callus formed a very slow-growing suspension culture, desig nated BGG, which had a doubling time of 1 mo. During growth, the mediu m of the BGG line slowly increased in viscosity, becoming a thickened gel by the end of the subculture period. Both lines had high cell viab ility. Embryogenesis could be induced in both lines by culturing on ch arcoal-containing, 2,4-D-free medium. No embryos formed in the absence of charcoal.