Native plant species that colonize metal-enriched soils, including abandoned mine tailings, often display specialized physiological and biochemical adaptations that enable survival under high concentrations of potentially toxic elements1,2. These facultative metallophytes hold considerable promise for phytotechnologies such as phytostabilization, phytoextraction, and phytomining, owing to their ability to accumulate, tolerate, or immobilize metals in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner3. In addition to their applied relevance, these species serve as informative models for studying metal homeostasis and stress tolerance under extreme environmental conditions. The development of efficient and reproducible in vitro propagation systems is fundamental for advancing both basic and applied research in metallophytes. Tissue culture methodologies enable large-scale clonal propagation, provide homogeneous plant material for physiological and biochemical studies, and serve as platforms for downstream molecular and functional analyses4. However, many native grasses exhibit strong recalcitrance to in vitro culture, making the establishment of regeneration systems particularly challenging5,6. Despite these limitations, recent advances demonstrate that somatic embryogenesis can be achieved in several non-model Poaceae species when explant selection, auxin balance, and micronutrient availability are optimized. For instance, Cenchrus ciliaris now possesses robust embryogenic callus and regeneration systems derived from juvenile tissues7, while Chloris gayana has recently been regenerated and transformed...

Discover how biochar aids in phytostabilization, detoxifying lead-zinc mining sites and enhancing soil health for improved plant growth.

Discover how biochar aids in phytostabilization, detoxifying lead-zinc mining sites and enhancing soil health for improved plant growth.