Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures of sweet sorghum.

Tissue culture methods were developed for the induction, maintenance, and regeneration of embryogenic callus in sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars Keller, Rio, and Wray. No significant differences were observed in production of embryogenic callus in cultures established from developmentally immature or mature embryo explants cultured on LS medium with 2 mg/1 2,4-D plus 0.5 mg/1 kinetin. Prolific callus production did not occur until the third four-week culture period. Long-term maintenance of embryogenic callus was dependent upon the selective transfer of embryogenic callus, with other callus types discarded. High-frequency plant regeneration was achieved and quantified on a fresh weight basis of embryogenic callus.