Polyploidization of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus x giganteus by plant colchicine treatment

The purpose of this study was to find a suitable treatment combination that would effectively induce polyploids in the grass species from the genus Miscanthus. In the experiments, the combinations of two concentrations of colchicine, three options of supplementing the colchicine solution with additional substances and three exposure times were tested. The experiments were conducted using diploid and triploid genotypes belonging to M. sinensis and M. x giganteus. Colchicine treatments generated 50 tetraploids in four diploid genotypes and two hexaploids in one out of two triploid genotypes. Induction of polyploids by plant colchicine treatment was highly dependent on genotype. In three out of six genotypes, some tested combinations resulted around 20% of polyploidization effectiveness. Re-examination of obtained material confirmed that 95% of plants are fully solid polyploids. Generated tetraploids were fertile. Polyploidization by ex vitro colchicine treatment of Miscanthus plants can be useful in plant breeding, particularly because its advantages in saving time.