An efficient method of plant regeneration from seed-derived callus was established in ravenna grass [
Erianthus ravennae (L.) Beauv.], which is an ornamental tall grass as well as an important biomass crop. For callus induction, mature seeds were cultured on media containing different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg l
−1) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg l
−1) on callus induction using MS medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) supplemeted with 1 g l
−1 casamino acids, 30 g l
−1 maltose and 8 g l
−1 agar as a basal medium. The highest callus induction was obtained on medium supplemented with 2 mg l
−1 2,4-D and 0.2 mg l
−1 BA, where 96% of explants formed callus. During the subculture of the calli on the same medium for 4 months, 3 types of calli showing different growth rate, color and morphology were differentiated. By using these 3 types of calli, effects of different concentrations of BA or 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg l
−1) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg l
−1) as plant growth regulators on shoot regeneration were evaluated using MS medium with 1 g l
−1 casamino acids as a basal medium. The highest frequency of shoot formation was obtained in type A callus, which had white and compact nature, on medium containing 30 g l
−1 sucrose, 1 mg l
−1 BA and 0.1–0.25 mg l
−1 NAA, where 89.3% of the calli formed shoots.
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