Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most important species of cold season grass which is used in mixed sports turfgrass. This study was conducted to determine the effect of plant growth regulators on callus induction and plant regeneration from hypocotyl explants in Kentucky bluegrass. For this purpose, the MS media containing two auxins (2,4-D and NAA) at different concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/L were used alone or in combination with and without the 0.1 mg/ L Benzyladenine (BA). The results showed that the highest callus induction rate was obtained at concentrations of 2 mg/L 2,4-D in combination with 1.0 mg/L BA or 1 mg/L NAA alone. The highest plant regeneration rate was obtained at a concentration of 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. The protocol we introduced can be used for rapid and scalable micropropagation of this turfgrass species and may also serve as a good platform for for protocol developments of other recalcitrant turfgrasses.
