EFFICIENT IN VITRO REGENERATION OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.) FROM BUD EXPLANTS

The regeneration potential of the economically important plant Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane) was investigated. Callus induction and shoot regeneration along with somatic embryogenesis were induced from bud explants incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS)-medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs) and white sugar The best callus induction (83.33%) was observed on explants incubated on MS-medium plus 1.0 mg.l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4.0 mg.l(-1) 2,4-D (70%) after 6 weeks of culture. Other combinations (BA, IBA, IAA, NAA and GA(3)) of PGRs were less effective than 2,4-D. It was observed that lower concentrations of 2,4-D induced somatic embryos in bud explants of Saccharum officinarum, whereas higher concentrations induced non-embryogenic calli. Subsequent sub-culturing of calli onto MS-medium supplemented with BA (6-benzyladenine) induced shoot organogenesis. Highest shoot induction (98%) was recorded for 2.0 mg.l(-1) after 3 weeks of culture. With this concentration of BA, maximum number of (178) shoots per explant were recorded, and, when the shoots were transferred to elongation medium, the longest shoots (9.4 cm) were recorded. However, 5.6 cm long shoots were also recorded with 3.0 mg.l(-1) zeatin. No root induction hormones were used for rooting. The elongated shoots started rooting upon maturation. A maximum rooting (84%), number of roots/shoot (21) and mean root length of 5.0 cm were observed on medium containing 2.0 mg.l(-1) BA along with 1.0 mg.l(-1) GA(3). The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimated in field conditions.