Plant Tissue Cult. 4(1) : 1-7, 1994

Rapid Clonal Multiplication of Sugarcane through Tissue Culture

Nand Lal and H.N. Singh

G.S. Sugarcane Breeding and Research Institute, Seorahi, P.O. Tamkuhi Raj, Deoria-274 407, U.P., India

Key words: Clonal propagation, Sugarcane, Tissue culture

Abastract

A method for rapid multiplication of sugarcane has been developed using shoot tip culture. In vitro shoot multiplication and growth were optimal in modified MS liquid medium containing 0.25 mg/1 kinetin and 6-benzylaminopurine each. In this medium multiplication rate of shoots increased 18.5- fold in 17-20-day culture. Roots could be easily induced on these shoots by their transfer to another medium with or without NAA. Optimal rooting and plantlet growth were observed with a semisolid ? strength modified MS medium containing 0.2 mg/1 NAA. Plantlets grown on these medium for 3-4 weeks could be successfully established in sterile sandy soil following a hardening phase of 14 days and nourishment with Knop?s solution. No intervening callus or morphological variants were observed during the in vitro cycle. The production holds promise for rapid clonal multiplication of elite sugarcane clones. Use of liquid culture is suggested for reduction of propagation cost and further widening the scope of automation.

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