Optimization of Protocol for Embryogenic Callus induction and Regeneration of Saccharum officinarum L. var. Co 0239

An efficient embryogenesis and direct regeneration protocol for commercial sugarcane cultivar Co 0239 was optimized to obtain embryogenic callus and direct regeneration of plantlets from immature leaf discs. Callus induction was achieved on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4 D) in combination with kinetin, abscisic acid, proline, maltose, sucrose and coconut water. Medium containing 2, 4-D (4 mg/l), maltose (3%), proline (500 mg/l), kinetin (1.5 mg/l) induced 80% embryogenic callus while MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l), Lglutamine (100 mg/l), kinetin (2.5 mg/l), sucrose (3%) and coconut water (10%) enhanced 54% direct regeneration frequency from explants as compared to control. These optimized protocols for development of organogenic callus and regeneration of plantlet would be useful for conducting various gene transformation experiments in sugarcane.