Effects of Bermuda grass and Alfalfa extracts on callus induction of Rye embryo.

We investigated the effects of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) extracts concentrations on callus induction and rye (Secale cereale L.) embryo regeneration and growth of rye seedlings in both greenhouse and in-vitro conditions. Immature rye embryos were used as explants for generating callus, and water extracts of alfalfa and bermudagrass were added to the environment with a concentration of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 %. This extract was also used in the regeneration period. The use of 25 and 30 % alfalfa extracts stopped callus induction and its components. The application of bermudagrass extract with a concentration of 30 %, reduced rye callus induction to 50 %. Alfalfa extract concentrations of 20 and 25 %, respectively caused a reduction of 35 and 75 % in callus fresh weight in comparison with the control conditions. Applying 25 and 30 % concentrations of bermudagrass extract led to a reduction of 68 and 80 % respectively. Alfalfa extracts with 15, 20 and 25 % concentrations caused reductions of 40, 63 and 69 % in rooting. The 30 % concentration of M. sativa extract stopped rooting in rye callus. Concentrations of 15, 20, 25 and 30 % caused reductions of 31, 50, 55 and 81 % in the shooting of rye callus, respectively. The results indicate that alfalfa extract had greater effect on rooting, and the bermudagrass extracts had greater effect on shooting. The analysis of the results shows that Alfalfa and bermudagrass extracts have a strong allelopathic effect, which can be used in the production of herbicides of natural origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]