(SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM) THROUGH CALLOGENESIS AND ORGANOGENESIS

The results of present investigation demonstrated that inner fresh leaves and shoot apical meristem of sugarcane were highly amenable to In vitro callus culture. Among the auxins, 2, 4-D @ 3.0 mg/l was more potent for callus induction and its subsequent growth. Effect of auxin-cytokinin interactions were not significant with respect to callus formation. For prolonged maintenance and curtailing the morphogenic capability, subsequent decrease in 2,4-D level was essential. Two major type of calluses developed from the cultured explants: dry nodular compact and smooth compact. Most abundantly formed callus was dry nodular and compact which was white to yellowish white in colour and was highly morphogenic. The optimum temperature for callus induction and proliferation was found to be 27 ± 1°C. A significant increase in the rate of callus initiation and proliferation was observed in cultures incubated in dark as compared with light grown cultures. Best regeneration response was obtained in hormone mediated conditions. In CP 77,400, best shoot induction response was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP while in BL-4, MS medium containing 0.25 mg/l BAP + 0.25 mg/l Kinetin showed best organogenic response. Vigorous rooting of plantlets in both the varieties of sugarcane was induced after 7 days of inoculation on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA