In vitro sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Micropropagation

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is fundamental to the "Ingenio Azucarero del Norte," a sugar production company in Ecuador. To solve drawbacks in quality, susceptibility to pathogens, and genetics due to overuse of variety CC 01-1940, this study worked to develop and implement a protocol for micropropagation at the Ingenio Azucarero del Norte. The Disinfection phase evaluated 6 treatments with different sodium hypochlorite concentrations (0.5%, 0.75% and 1%) and immersion times (5 and 10 minutes). After 3 weeks, survival, contamination, oxidation, and viability percentages were recorded. The plants with best results were used to test the sprouting stage, where 6 treatments were evaluated, with concentrations of 6-Benzyladenine (6-BAP) and Kinetin, between 0.5mg/L and 1mg/L. In 1 month, the same parameters than of disinfection phase were recorder, and the number of sprouts. The rooting phase analyzed 16 treatments, with two concentrations of Murashige and Skoog medium (half strength and complete), 6-BAP 0.5mg/L, and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/L) varied. In 3 weeks, we recorded survival, contamination, and oxidation percentages, likewise, appearance, aerial height, number, and roots length. Finally, the acclimatization stage examined 3 treatments: T_vp(vermiculite peat and perlite (1:1), T_CP(coconut fiber peat and perlite (1:1)) and T_PM(Peat moss, vermiculite peat and vermiculite (2:1:1:1)). Survival and contamination were recorded until 35 days. In addition, aerial, root length, leaf area, number and distance between nodes, fresh and dry mass of the plant, leaves, stem, and root were measured at the final. The results indicated that suitable treatments for disinfection used 0.5%NaClO or 0.75% for 10 min; treatment with 0.5mg/L 6-BAP + 1 mg/L KIN favored sprouting; treatments with ½ MS + 1mg/L NAA or 3mg/L NAA favored rooting and the best-acclimatized plants were in a peat substrate of vermiculite and perlite (1:1, v/v%).