Suspension culture performance in commercial varieties of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.)

Suspension culture performance in commercial varieties of perennial ryegrass was studied to assess the effect of variety on suspension culture response and plant regeneration. 179 suspension cultures were established from embryos of mature seeds of 21 varieties and one breeding population. Of these, 123 suspensions were morphogenic (21 varieties) and 66 suspensions (18 varieties) regenerated green plants. A number of suspension lines, originating from two different suspensions, retained the capacity for green plant formation for almost four years. Replicates performed with seed lots of different ages indicated that suspensions initiated from young seeds (1 year) were of better quality than suspensions initiated from older seeds (2–4 years). Varieties differed in their capacity to form morphogenic suspensions and suspensions capable of regenerating green plants, although the effect of variety was relatively small. It was concluded that responsive genotypes can be found within most varieties of Lolium perenne.