Characterization of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) cell suspension cultures

Cell suspension cultures of buffelgrass were established from two types of callus, a friable tan callus and a brown gelatinous callus, using Murashige and Skoog medium containing$13.6 \muM$2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The friable callus formed a rapidly growing suspension culture, designated BG, which had a doubling time of 2.5 days. The gelatinous callus formed a very slow-growing suspension culture, designated BGG, which had a doubling time of 1 mo. During growth, the medium of the BGG line slowly increased in viscosity, becoming a thickened gel by the end of the subculture period. Both lines had high cell viability. Embryogenesis could be induced in both lines by culturing on charcoal-containing, 2,4-D-free medium. No embryos formed in the absence of charcoal.