Development of somaclones in sugarcane genotype BF-162 and assessment of variability by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers in selected red rot resistant somaclones

Abstract

Worldwide, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) is the major source of commercial sugar along with many other value added products. In Pakistan, during the year 2008 to 2009, there was a production of 50.05 million tonnes. Sugarcane genotype BF-162 was released for general use in the Punjab province during 1990, and it became susceptible to red rot. As environmental conditions are not conducive for flowering, so the red rot rectification was tried through somaclonal variation. Protocol for callogenesis and organogenesis was standardized. Leaf when used as explant source and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as auxin at 3mg/l performed better in callogenesis. It was observed that lower doses of Kinetin regenerated more numbers of shoots, while indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) developed more numbers of roots. Red rot resistance somaclones were isolated and assessed for the presence of variability through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Polymorphism captured by RAPD was 33.73% and by SSR was 64%. Polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged between 0.02 and 0.45 for RAPD and 0.12 and 0.49 for SSR. Cluster and sub cluster formation further verified the presence of variability in the red rot resistant somaclones with respect to the parent.

Key words: Sugarcane, callogenesis, organogenesis, somaclone, polymorphism, cluster.