In vitro morphogenesis of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.]: efficient production of multiple shoots and inflorescences from shoot apices

This report presents a procedure for high-frequency multiple shoot producti on from cultured shoot apical meristems of pearl miller [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. Shoot apices from 1-week-old aseptically germinated seedling s were cultured in vitro on MS medium containing various concentrations of 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and benzyladenine (BA) with biweekly subculture. A low concentration of 2,4-D coupled with four different conce ntrations of BA induced the production of adventitious shoots from the enla rged shoot apical meristems, Somatic embryogenesis was also observed at hig her concentrations of BA. The use of higher levels of 2,4-D resulted in cal lusing of shoot apical meristems, while the shoot tips produced many leaves and in vitro flowering in 2,4-D-free media containing BA. All four pearl m illet genotypes produced similar results. Fertile pearl millet plants were produced from in vitro-produced multiple shoots.