Rapid clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum L. Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 and to assess the genetic uniformity through molecular markers

An efficient protocol was developed for in vitro clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 through axillary meristem culture. Maximum meristem elongation was achieved on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg/L kinetin (Kn) within 15 days of culture. Multiple shoots were induced from meristems on MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA, 0.5 mg/L Kn, 0.25 mg/L 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Addition of 0.1-0.25 mg/L gibberellic acid into the multiplication medium found the better shoot elongation. Repeated subculture on multiplication medium induces higher rate of shoot multiplication. The root induction from excised microshoots was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0-2.0 mg/L NAA or indole-3-butyric acid and 6% (w/v) sucrose. While either decreasing or increasing of sucrose concentration in the rooting medium, the percentage of rooting was reduced. Maximum percentage of rooting was achieved on medium having 2.0 mg/L NAA with 6% (w/v) sucrose. About 80% of micropropagated plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and successfully established in the soil. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA marker was used to detect the variability among the micropropagated plants developed through in vitro. The results showed that there was no polymorphism among the micropropagated plants. This study will help for propagation of quality planting material of high-yielding variety of sugarcane for commercialization.