Tissue culture studies in lemongrass (Lippia citriodora Kunth)

In this study, the aim was to determine suitable media for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis in lemongrass (Lippia citriodora Kunth) under in vitro conditions. The study comprised two stages. At the first stage, transferring lemongrass to tissue culture, callus induction and proliferation, and, then, at the second stage embryonic callus growth were aimed. The study was carried out at Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratories, Agricultural Faculty, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University in years of 2010-2011. In the experiments, Murashige and Skoog (MS) was used as basal medium and supplemented with some cytokines and auxins, and their different concentrations. The effects of these media on callus growth were examined. According to the results of investigated characters, the best callus growth was obtained from MS supplemented with 2,0 mg/L NAA + 0,5mg/L BA. As a result, lemongrass plant was transferred to tissue culture and calli were induced with this study. In addition, somatic embryogenesis or embryonic calli for the bases of organogenesis were obtained. Even very few, root development were observed from some calli. Some important results were achieved as the first callus report in lemongrass.