Evaluation of in Vitro Propagated Sugarcane Hybrids for Somaclonal Variation¹

Abstract

A study was conducted from 1982 to 1984 to assess the variability arising from in vitro regeneration and its vegetative transmission in two cultivars of Saccharum officinarum (L.) interspecific hybrids (‘CP 65‐357’ and ‘CP 72‐356’). Tissue was either regenerated directly from explanted apical meristems or maintained as callus for 6 weeks prior to plantlet regeneration. Several morphological characteristics of each plant were evaluated in the field at maturity in each of 2 years at one location. The frequencies of variants were compared to those found in each original cultivar. The tissue culture process resulted in slightly increased morphological variability in plant cane in both cultivars. This variability was manifested primarily in the form of abnormal plant growth habit, which included number of tillers, stalk length, leaf attitude, and stalk diameter. However, a reversion to the original phenotype characteristic of the parental cultivars was evident in the second year of the experiment, suggesting that the majority of the apparent variation from tissue culture was not under genetic control. Although conformity for plants derived from callus cultures increased n the second year, direct regeneration from explant tissue was more desirable for cloning in CP 65‐357, whereas CP 72‐356 tissue maintained up to 6 weeks as callus in culture also was suitable for clonal propagation. These results demonstrate that to successfully clone and mass propagate specific sugarcane cultivars for use as planting materials the effect of tissue culture technologies must be examined on a cultivar‐by‐cultivar basis.

In vitro minimal growth storage of Saccharum spp. hybrid (genotype 88H0019) at two stages of direct somatic embryogenic regeneration

“…These range from little or no evidence of somaclonal variation (Chowdhury and Vasil 1993;Taylor et al 1995), to high levels regardless of morphogenesis path (Heinz and Mee 1971;Lourens and Martin 1987;Irvine et al 1991;Burner and Grisham 1995;Taylor et al 1995;Hoy et al 2003). Further, where phenotypic variations were detected, they were found to be transitory as the variants reverted to the original parental phenotype in the first ratoon crop (Lourens and Martin 1987;Irvine et al 1991;Burner and Grisham 1995).…”

Cryopreservation of Tropical Plant Germplasm with Vegetative Propagation - Review of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and Pineapple (Ananas comusus (L.) Merrill) Cases

“…Peña & Stay (1997) stated that, with sugarcane in vitro culture stimulated growth and vigour, induced rejuvenation and generally improved agricultural performance. Many authors (Jimenez et al, 1991;Lorenzo et al, 2001;Lourens. & Martin 1987;Taylor et al, 1992) indicate that such differences disappear during the course of field growth and the first clonal multiplication, as observed in our experiments.…”

Applications of in vitro culture systems for commercial sugarcane production and improvement

“…Sugarcane was amongst the first plants where this was reported (Heinz andMee 1969, 1971;Heinz 1973;Larkin and Scowcroft 1981), with variations found in cytogenetic and enzymatic traits Heinz 1973), as well as stool appearance, stalk characteristics and disease resistance (Larkin and Scowcroft 1981). Since then, somaclonal variation from in vitroderived sugarcane has been consistently observed, particularly when plants are produced via a callus stage, which involves exposure to high levels of auxin (3-5 mg/l 2,4-D) and long culture periods (up to 12 wk; Larkin and Scowcroft 1981;Irvine 1984;Lourens and Martin 1987;Irvine et al 1991;Burner and Grisham 1995;Zucchi et al 2002;Abo-Elwafa 2004). Studies to-date indicate that some sugarcane genotypes are more prone to somaclonal variation than others and that in vitro instability is possibly a consequence of the interaction between genotype and culture medium (Lourens and Martin 1987;Burner and Grisham 1995;Zucchi et al 2002).…”

“…Since then, somaclonal variation from in vitroderived sugarcane has been consistently observed, particularly when plants are produced via a callus stage, which involves exposure to high levels of auxin (3-5 mg/l 2,4-D) and long culture periods (up to 12 wk; Larkin and Scowcroft 1981;Irvine 1984;Lourens and Martin 1987;Irvine et al 1991;Burner and Grisham 1995;Zucchi et al 2002;Abo-Elwafa 2004). Studies to-date indicate that some sugarcane genotypes are more prone to somaclonal variation than others and that in vitro instability is possibly a consequence of the interaction between genotype and culture medium (Lourens and Martin 1987;Burner and Grisham 1995;Zucchi et al 2002). Explants from species with high ploidy (such as sugarcane) show more inherent variability than those with low ploidy (Heinz and Mee 1971;Karp 1995).…”