Development of a simple and genotype independent in vitro regeneration system in Sugarcane [Saccharum spp] using shoot apex explants

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) is commercially cultivated in Tamil Nadu for industrial purposes. Germplasm of this crop is mainly conserved in the form of clonal gene bank. For long term conservation of vegetatively propagated crops, cryo-preservation offers a promising approach which could be realized through a reliable and genotype independent tissue culture system. In the present study, two sugarcane genotypes namely Co 86032 and TN SC Si 7 were evaluated for their in vitro regeneration response through optimization of various factors influencing organogenesis. The results indicated that shoot apices explants inoculated on medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BAP + 5.0 mg/l kinetin + 0.05 mg/l NAA recorded highest shoot induction frequencies of 92.2% and 84.4% for Co 86032 and TN SC Si 7 respectively. On an average, 6 to 8 shoots were formed per explant. After 60 days of culture, single shoots were separated from the multiple shoots and transferred to the rooting medium. Among the different media tested, highest regeneration frequencies of 63.3% (Co 86032) and 56.6% (TN Sc Si 7) were found on medium supplemented with 5 mg/l NAA. Thus, a simple and genotype independent in vitro regeneration system was developed which could be well adopted for conservation of sugarcane germplasm in the cryo gene bank.