Somatic embryogenesis from rhizome explants of Cymbopogon winterianus

Plantlet regeneration through indirect somatic embryogenesis was attempted from rhizome derived callus of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (cv. Jorlab2). Optimum callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 4 mg dm(-3) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Initially the callus was friable, shiny white and watery in nature. After subculturing on MS medium containing 2,4-D and kinetin (Kn), callus was transferred onto the MS medium supplemented with 2,4 -D, Kn and coconut water to induce somatic embryogenesis. Optimum somatic embryogenesis (78.33 %) was achieved on MS medium containing 3.0 mg dm(-3) 2,4-D and 0.5 mg dm(-3) Kn. High frequency (65 %) plantlet conversion from embryos was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg dm(-3) N-6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.5 mg dm(-3) Kn, 0.2 mg dm(-3) calcium pantothenate and 0.2 mg dm(-3) biotin.