Miscanthus sinensis (Poaceae) is a typical perennial giant grass of East Asia. Due to its high photosynthetic efficiency, low input requirements, and high biomass production, M. sinensis shows outstanding potential as a biofuel feedstock. However, the lack of an efficient tissue culture system may limit its utilization potential. Different explants of M. sinensis were evaluated to develop an efficient tissue culture system. Shoot apices from in vitro-germinated seedling explants were tested for adventitious bud proliferation. The highest level of proliferation (multiplication coefficient 6.69) was obtained when shoot apices were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L −1 6-benzyladenine (BA), 2.0 mg L −1 kinetin, 0.05 mg L −1 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. The highest rooting percentage (95.4%) was obtained when adventitious buds were cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg L −1 NAA, 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. Significant differences were found in the formation of embryogenic callus among different explant types. The embryogenic callus derived from epicotyls had the highest regeneration capacity when cultured on a medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L −1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.5 mg L −1 BA, and 0.1 mg L −1 thiamine. Under these conditions, the callus induction percentage was 82%.

Miscanthus sacchariflorus is an important perennial bioenergy feedstock, but no information is available regarding plant rapid propagation from in vitro seed grown plantlets. The present study investigates the effects of the types and combination of plant growth regulators on tissue culture system of M. sacchariflorus. Shoot apices from in vitro germinated seedling explants were tested for adventitious shoot proliferation. The highest level of proliferation (proliferation coefficient 11.66) was obtained when shoot apices were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.05 mg L−1 α–naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. The highest root number (13.33) and root length (9.67 cm) were obtained when adventitious shoots were cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.4 mg L−1 NAA, 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. The efficient plant regeneration system developed here will be helpful for rapid propagation and further genetic improvement in M. sacchariflorus.

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