Establishment of micropropagation in Merkeron napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and estimation of somaclonal variation using flowcytometry analysis

The objective of this study was to establish in vitro propagation system of Merkeron napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) via multiple-shoot clumps formation. Shoot apical meristem as explants were isolated from shoot-tillers and cultured in vitro on a solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The cultured medium contained 3% sucrose and 0.3% phytagel. There were several combinations levels of 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP). The most effective combination treatment for multiple-shoot clumps induction was 0.1 mg L-1 2,4-D plus 2.0 mg L−1 BAP. The addition of 5µM CuSO4 could increase the percentage of clump proliferation. As much as 57% plant regeneration frequency was achieved by culturing the clumps on a solid MS medium containing 0.01 mg L−1 NAA and 2.0 mg L-1 BAP. All registrants were successfully grown up in the soil. Comparison of results from morphological characteristics evaluation and DNA content using flow cytometry analysis showed that in vitro regenerants did not reveal any significant difference compared with control plants. The research findings indicated that the combination between 2,4-D, BAP, and low concentration of CuSO4 improved the multiple shoot clumps formation of Merkeron.