An efficient protocol for culturing meristems of sorghum hybrids

a robust protocol for culturing meristems of sorghum is required to assist with rapid genetic improvement of the genus. through meristem culture, an efficient method for rapid micropropagation was developed for sorghum bicolor (l.) moench. hybrids, namely nc+262, nc+6c21 and nc+6b50. complete plants were regenerated directly from shoot meristems without an intervening callus phase. regeneration frequencies varied between the studied genotypes and according to the growth regulator combinations present in the medium. the combination of bap and tdz showed a synergistic effect on shoot multiplication. the highest number of shoots per meristem (68 ± 2) was recorded for the genotype nc+262, followed by nc+6c21 (31.3 ± 0.8), and nc+6b50 (16 ± 1.7). ms medium supplemented with 3 mg/l bap and 1 mg/l tdz was the most effective hormone combination for multiple shoot production. regenerated shoots were rooted on ms basal medium. once rooted, plants were transferred to the greenhouse, where 80% survived to reach maturity.