REGENERATION OF HIGH SUGAR NON-FLOWERING SOMACLONES OF SUGARCANE

Abstract

Somaclones of sugarcane varieties Isd 16, Isd 28, Isd 31 and clones I 273-91 and B34-104 were regenerated through callus culture using unexpanded spindle leaf segments as explants. Explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D for callus induction. Callus was cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP 2.0 mgl-1 and Kn 1.0 mgl-1 for shoots formation. For roots formation in shoots MS medium with NAA 5.0 mgl-1 was used. Regenerated plants were hardened and planted in the field for variable somaclones selection. Selected somaclones were planted in field next year for observation of yield contributing characters. Finally the somaclones selected based on yield contributing characters were planted in the field and germination, tiller, millable cane, yield, flowering behaviour, and chemical analysis for pol and recovery were recorded to study the field performances compared to their donor parents. Three sub-clones of flowering donor variety Isd 16 became non-flowering with higher recovery. One sub-clone each of Isd 31, B34-104 were also showed higher recovery than their donor parents. Studied yield and yield contributing characters of sub-clones showed more or less substantial equivalency to their respective donor parents. Results revealed the regeneration of high sugar non-flowering sub-clones from profusely flowering variety to prevent early recovery deterioration of sugar due to profuse flowering behaviour of cane. The results indicate the possibilities of recovery improvement and flower inhibition of sugarcane through tissue culture technique intervening callus.