A reliable protocol for mass propagation via somatic embryogenesis in mature bamboos has been established using pseudospikelets
of
Bambusa balcooa. Fourty percent of the explants gave rise to multiple regenerants within 4 months. This conversion rate is sufficiently high
to use the process in commercial mass production. Further, shoot apical meristems can also be used as primary explants without
lost of efficiency.
Regenerated plants were uniform and identical to the mother plant and to plants obtained by axillary branching with respect
to growth characteristics and morphology. Furthermore, epigenetic changes could not be detected by Methylation Sensitive AFLP
(MSAP). During the complete process no changes in ploidy level could be observed.
The process allows for a cost reduction for this tropical bamboo for forestry of up to 57% compared to micropropagation via
axillary branching. For the first time, a reliable process based on somatic embryogenesis has been developed that is well
suited for commercial micropropagation of elite mature bamboos.
Keywords Bamboo - Commercial micropropagation - In vitro - Monocot