Effect of salinity on tillers in In vitro pretreated sugarcane plants

To develop salt tolerant sugarcane lines among the varieties Co. 86032, Co. 7714 and Co. 671, the plantlets regenerated from salt treated calluses were screened in green house with pot culture experiment. The plantlets survived during screening were transferred into the soil simulated with salinity levels (4 and 6 Ece). The number of tillers per plant were significantly more in variety Co.7714 (27.93) and Co. 86032 (27.06) against the variety Co. 671 (21.15). Though salinity affects tiller formation, Co. 7714 and Co. 86032 varieties were relatively salt tolerant.