Rapid Propagation of Virus-free Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) by Somatic Embryogenesis

Abstract Elimination Sugarcane Mozaic Virus ( SCMV ) in sugarcane plantlets and propagation via somatic embryogenesis was assessed. The aim of this study was to obtain a virus-free sugarcane and determine methods for propagation via somatic embryogenesis. Explants derived from sugarcane SUT-02 plantlets. The explants were cultured on ribavirin and acyclovir medium at 0, 20 and 40 mgl -1 concentrations. Virus-free plantlets detected by DAS-ELISA. Rapid propagation virus-free plantlets through somatic embryogenesis consists of 3 stages. Stage 1: callus induction on the media (a) MSo, (b) MSo + 3 mgl -1 2,4-D, (c) MSo + 4 mgl -1 2,4-D, (d) MSo + 3 mgl -1 2,4-D + 1.5 mgl -1 BAP, (e) MSo + 4 mgl -1 2,4-D + 1.5 mgl -1 BAP, stage 2: proliferation on media MSo + 1.5 mgl -1 2,4-D and stage 3: regeneration on MSo media. The results showed that the media ribavirin and acyclovir at 20 mgl -1 and 40 mgl -1 concentration produces 100% virus-free sugarcane plantlets. Best embryogenic callus induction media is MSo + 3 mgl -1 2,4-D and virus free plantlets have produced as much as ± 35 plantlets within 9 weeks.