Effect of Growth Regulators on Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter Direct Regeneration In vitro

Abstract

Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter is a one of the plants most widely considered as a species useful for sustainable agriculture, firstly has been widely used as a landscape ornamental plant and latter has received attention as a biomass feedstock of its great biomass production and low-maintenance requirements. However, Miscanthus×giganteus Greef et Deuter is a triploid hybrid (2n=57) that cannot produce viable seeds, and it has traditionally been propagated through rhizome division, which is slow, low throughput and labor-intensive. On the other hand, the sterility of Miscanthus×giganteus Greef et Deuter prevents putative invasion by this species. Nevertheless, the principal limitations of M. giganteus Greef et Deuter growing are its high establishment cost, its poor overwintering and the insufficient water supplies. Micropropagation is a practical method for rapid and large-scale production of many plant species. Although protocols exist for Miscanthus×giganteus Greef et Deuter micropropagation, the multiplication rate and plant quality need to be improved to meet commercial demands. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of growth regulators on direct regeneration of Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter. Research was carried out in Institute of Biology and Plant Biotechnology of Aleksandras Stulginskis University and Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology of Join Research Center in 2016-2017. Segments of Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter rhizomes were cultivated on MS nutrient medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA and TDZ. Our results showed that rhizomes segments cultured on MS media without growth regulators did not show any response. On the medium supplemented with growth regulators shoot regeneration frequency varied depending on used growth regulators combinations and concentrations.[...]