The application of in vitro tiller induction in Lolium multiflorum

Summary Eight Lolium multiflorum genotypes were micropropagated for over one year. Using Murashige & Skoog's basal medium, various growth regulators (6-benzylaminopurine, indole acetic acid, adenine sulphate) were tested for their effect on micropropagation. Plantlet handling methods, culture conditions and culture procedures were also compared. Differences were observed in rates of micropropagation between plant genotypes. Under the best conditions for micropropagation, an average of approximately 50 tillers were produced in a 5–6 week period, compared with an estimated 8–15 tillers from soil-grown plants over the same period. Tillers must reach a certain developmental stage before they will grow independently, therefore the number of surviving propagules at subculture under micropropagation and in soil is about half the number of tillers produced. A proposed system for the micropropagation of Lolium multiflorum is described.