Abstract: Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn. is a native grass of
semiarid region in Iran which is quit resistant to cool and drought
climate and withstand heavy grazing. This species has close
phylogenetic relationship with Triticum and Hordeum. In this
research, the effect of seven different concentrations of growth
regulator 2,4-D on callus production and somatic embryogenesis of
A. cristatum was investigated on Murashige and Skoog medium. The
results showed that the rate of callus, embryo and neomorph were
highest in 1 mg L-1 2,4-D. Callus production was increased in 1 mg
L-1 2,4-D but dramatically decreased at 5.5 and 9 mg L-1 2,4-D. The
somatic embryos were observed at 1 and 4 mg L-1 2,4-D but matured
embryos and plantlet were only occurred at 1 mg L-1 2,4-D. There
were significant differences between 1 mg L-1 2,4-D and other
treatments for producing globular and torpedo embryos, plantlet,
rooted callus and number of roots (p