Sugarcane shoot formation in an improved temporary immersion system

A new protocol was established for sugarcane cv. C- 1051-73 shoot formation in a temporary immersion system. The two-step protocol involves shoot formation in 50 ml of culture medium per explant and 1.0 mg 1-1 paclobutrazol for 30 days followed by shoot elongation by exposure to 1.0 mg 1-1 gibberellic acid for 15 days. The multiplication rate was doubled in comparison with the conventional micropropagation protocol (Jiménez et al., 1995) and the cost has been reduced by 46%. Three additional sugarcane varieties have been micropropagated according to this new protocol and results are comparable. Temporary immersion -derived plants have also been compared with conventionally propagated plants in sugarcane fields for more than 9 months and their agricultural indicators of performance are similar. (Author's abstract