In vitro morphogenesis patterns from shoot apices of sugar cane are determined by light and type of growth regulator

Abstract

The regeneration patterns of shoot apices derived from in vitro plants of four varieties of sugar cane in response to different growth regulators and light were evaluated. The cellular origin of the regeneration processes was also investigated. Explants cultivated on medium supplemented with NAA and incubated under light showed direct bud regeneration from cells of external layers of the ground parenchyma of the stem. Explants cultivated in the dark on medium supplemented with low concentrations of picloram (PIC) or 2,4D (4.0 and 4.5 μM, respectively) showed callus formation derived from the ground parenchyma of stem and development of preembryogenic masses derived from bundle sheath cells facing the phloem tissue of immature leaves. Somatic embryos at further developmental stages were visible following transfer to medium devoid of growth regulators and incubation under light. When incubated under light since the begining of the experiment, explants cultivated in the presence of higher PIC or 2,4D concentrations (40 and 22.6 μM, respectively) first displayed direct organogenesis from external layers of the ground parenchyma of the stem, followed by the development of organogenic calluses. Preembryogenic masses were also observed from bundle sheath cells of immature leaves. However, in contrast to the cultures pre-incubated in darkness for 30 days, the subsequent stages of embryo development were not detected. The regeneration efficiency of calluses induced by 2,4D and PIC was generally increased following desiccation in laminar flow or incubation on medium solidified with phytagel.