Disease free and rapid mass production of sugarcane cultivars

Background: Sacchrum officinarum is acknowledged as a basic source for the production of sugar in Pakistan and worldwide, one of the major constituents of human diet. The presented study optimizes a convenient and successful protocol for in-vitro mass production of sugarcane comprising sixteen cultivars from various sugarcane growing areas all over Pakistan.Methods: The source plants were sampled randomly from cane growing areas all over the country. Apical region from stalks of germinated plants was taken as explant source. The growth medium used for direct regeneration and multiple shoot formation was same for all constituents but the hormonal supplementations; it comprised of MS basal medium 4.43g/l (MS SIGMA, M 5519), 3% w/v sucrose, and phytagel was added in 0.3% w/v for gelling to support the explant, 0.01mg/l activated charcoal as the carbon source, pH 5.5 to 5.8.Results: Among various concentrations of BAP used 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0mg/l in growth medium supported efficient regeneration and plenty of lateral shoots in a minimum time span almost in all cultivars. For rhizogenesis, 5.0mg/l of IAA was found to be most efficient among four different concentrations of auxin. Some cultivars have a sufficient endoauxin level and do not need any supplementation for rooting i.e., basal medium supports root induction. For long term maintenance of plant stock, MS broth with 1.0mg/l of BAP was found to be most suitable.Conclusion: Cytokinin concentrations and plant potential play an equal role in direct regeneration from meristematic tissue