An alternative method for in vitro multiplication and rooting of sugarcane using a PET-based temporary immersion...

Area of Science:

• Plant Biotechnology
• Agricultural Science
• Horticulture

Background:

• Sugarcane micropropagation is crucial for producing high-quality plantlets.
• Traditional methods can be labor-intensive and costly.
• Developing efficient and sustainable in vitro systems is essential for large-scale propagation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate alternative in vitro culture systems for sugarcane micropropagation.
• To compare polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers in semisolid culture with temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs) in horizontal and vertical positions.
• To optimize multiplication and rooting efficiency using innovative bioreactor designs.

Main Methods:

• Sugarcane explants were cultured in PET containers using semisolid medium.
• Temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs) were tested in horizontal and vertical orientations.
• Evaluated parameters included shoot and root development, chlorophyll content, stomatal characteristics, and acclimatization survival rates.

Main Results:

• The TIB-horizontal system significantly enhanced shoot multiplication (29.30 shoots) and leaf development.
• Both TIB-horizontal and TIB-vertical systems promoted superior root formation (up to 7.51 roots) and length.
• Plantlet survival rates during acclimatization were exceptionally high (99.5% in TIB-horizontal).

Conclusions:

• The TIB-horizontal system is the most efficient for sugarcane multiplication and rooting.
• PET-based culture systems, particularly TIBs, represent an innovative and sustainable approach for large-scale sugarcane micropropagation.
• This method improves genetic and phytosanitary quality of elite sugarcane plantlets.