Optimizing embryogenic callus production and plant regeneration from `Tifton 9' bahiagrass seed explants for genetic manipulation

Bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flügge) is a warm season forage grass widely cultivated in southeastern U.S. and South America. The cultivar Tifton 9 has several desirable characteristics such as high forage yield, more vigor at the seedling stage, etc.; but its forage quality is very low. As an initial step for future genetic manipulations to improve its forage characteristics, we have optimized in vitro culture conditions for plant regeneration. In this report, we describe an efficient method for embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration from bahiagrass (cv. Tifton 9) seed explants, which are readily available and easy to manipulate, compared to other explant sources reported in the literature.