Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of plants in the bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus.

Somatic embryogenesis leading to plant regeneration has been achieved in the bamboo, Dendrocalamus strictus, by culturing seeds (caryopses) on B5 basal medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Callus cultures obtained from the embryonal end of the seeds differentiated chlorophyllous embryoids. On transfer to a germination medium (B5 liquid, sucrose, indolebutyric acid, and ∝ -naphthaleneacetic acid) 40% of the embryoids developed into plantlets. Further development of the plantlets occured on B5 liquid medium (half strength) + sucrose (1%) + IBA (5 × 10(-7)M) + NAA (10(-7)M).