SUSPENSION-CULTURE PERFORMANCE IN COMMERCIAL VARIETIES OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (LOLIUM-PERENNE L)

Suspension culture performance in commercial varieties of perennial ry egrass was studied to assess the effect of variety on suspension cultu re response and plant regeneration. 179 suspension cultures were estab lished from embryos of mature seeds of 21 varieties and one breeding p opulation. Of these, 123 suspensions were morphogenic (21 varieties) a nd 66 suspensions (18 varieties) regenerated green plants. A number of suspension lines, originating from two different suspensions, retaine d the capacity for green plant formation for almost four years. Replic ates performed with seed lots of different ages indicated that suspens ions initiated from young seeds (1 year) were of better quality than s uspensions initiated from older seeds (2-4 years). Varieties differed in their capacity to form morphogenic suspensions and suspensions capa ble of regenerating green plants, although the effect of variety was r elatively small. It was concluded that responsive genotypes can be fou nd within most varieties of Lolium perenne.