Somatic Embryogenesis in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.): Growth and Plant Regeneration from Embryogenic Cell Suspension Cultures

Abstract

Embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established from calli derived from young leaves of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) by placing them in liquid medium containing 5 per cent coconut water (CW), 2–3 mg 1⁻¹ 2, 4-D and 500 mg 1⁻¹ casein hydrolysate (CH). The cultures were maintained by transferring 2.5–5.0 ml of the suspension to 35 ml of fresh medium every 4–5 days. Organized structures resembling the early stages of embryogeny were formed when 2, 4-D in the medium was lowered (0.1–1.0 mg 1⁻¹) but these did not develop beyond the globular or early scutellar stages. High levels of sucrose (6–10 per cent) promoted the formation of proembryoids. Plating of the suspension on MS agar medium supplemented with 0.25–2.0 mg 1⁻¹ 2, 4-D, 5 per cent CW, 500 mg 1⁻¹ CH, with or without activated charcoal, resulted in the formation of embryogenic calli. A large number of embryoids were formed in media containing lower 2, 4-D concentrations. Transfer of embryoids to half-strength MS medium with 6 per cent sucrose established plantlets which were successfully transferred to soil.