Abstract
The study was aimed to identify the best combination of auxins, cytokinins, amino acids concentrations for callus induction,
somatic embryogenesis, regeneration and rooting response of elite sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) clones.
Furthermore, optimal geneticin (G-418) dose has also been standardized, to select the genetically transformed sugarcane
plantlets. Five different media for callus induction, embryogenesis, regeneration and rooting were tested to screen, seven
elite sugarcane clones (HSF-240, SPF-213, CPF-237, CPF-245, CPF-246, CSSG-668 and CSSG-676). Different levels of
selection marker (geneticin) concentrations (0, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg L
-1) were used in sugarcane regeneration and rooting
medium. Significant variations in callus induction (49.3-86 %), somatic embryogenesis (33.3-73.3 %), regeneration (48-87
%) and rooting (46-92 %) response were observed in different media and sugarcane clones. Sugarcane clones CSSG-668,
HSF-240 and CPF-237 were found to be the best for sugarcane tissue culture. Furthermore, 60 and 40 mg L
-1 geneticin was
found to be optimum concentration to select the transformed sugarcane plantlets at regeneration and rooting stage,
respectively. The findings of the study could be used in sugarcane genetic transformation, micro-propagation and for the
development of somaclones.