Somaclonal Variation For Rust Resistance in Sugarcane

Callus was produced from leaf explaints of a sugracane variety susceptible to rust disease caused by Puccima melanocephala H. & P. Syd. Whole plants were differentiated from the callus after subculture. A total of 260 plants were established in the field. They were screened for rust resistance. One somaclone was found to be resistant to the disease. This done is now undergoing adaptability trials. A second cycle of somaclones was produced from the callus derived from the explants of the resistant plant. These plants, numbering 308, were free of rust infection, indicating the stability of the change from susceptibility to resistance.