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 th e production of the macrophyte Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. for the co nstruction of wetlands used in wastewater purification. Embryogenic calli w ere produced in florets from inflorescences in the presence of 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid in the induction media. Up to 28.4% of the calli were em bryogenic. Somatic embryos developed into plantlets when transferred to the regeneration medium lacking growth regulators. The addition of myo-inosito l to the induction medium resulted in the highest number of plantlets on th e regeneration medium. A decrease in the number of plantlets was observed w hen the embryogenic calli were maintained longer than three months on the i nduction medium. Plantlets can be further propagated by node culture. Plant lets were successfully acclimatized and developed normally showing no morph ological differences when compared to seed-grown plants.