In vitro conservation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) germplasm

In order to conserve the sugarcane germplasin in vitro, studies were undertaken at the Plant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. The cultures were successfully established for var. Katha on MS medium containing BA. Establishment of 8 other sugarcane varieties on the same medium composition Suggested its suitability for conservation of sugarcane germplasm. In vitro conservation of var. Katha by osmotic stress showed that cultures with 2% mannitol were healthy up to 165 days (showing 75% survival rate), while the cultures with 1 and 3% mannitol showed 100% survival up to 105 days of storage. The technique has great potential for the conservation of plant genetic resources and more studies are required to further extend the subculture period by combining the osmotic stress with incubation conditions management.