High frequency shoot organogenesis in Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench

In vitro morphogenesis that includes enlargement of apical meristems and differentiation of shoot buds on the surface of enlarged meristemoids, have been observed in Sorghum bicolor. The enlargement of apical meristems occurred on the MS medium containing different auxins [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and parachlorophenoxyacetic acid (pCPA)] with or without 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP)]. Large number of shoot buds arose over the entire surface of enlarged, green, compact, nodular, hard and shiny meristemoids on transfer to medium containing BAP (2.0 mg l(-1)) + (IAA) indole 3-acetic acid (0.5 mg l(-1)). Histological observations revealed the origin of shoot apices from the surface of enlarged meristemoids. Efficient rooting was achieved onto half-strength MS medium supplemented with alpha-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 2.0 mg l(-1)) and sucrose 2% (w/v). Plantlets were transferred to earthen pots under field conditions for the evalution of several agronomically important characters.