Genomics and Applied Biology, 2017, Vol.8, No.1, 1-7
1
Research Report Open Access
Scope of Genetic Transformation in Sugarcane: A Review
Ithape Dinesh M., Maharana M., Tripathy Swapan K.
Nepal Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India
Corresponding author email
Genomics and Applied Biology, 2017, Vol.8, No.1 doi
Received: 24 Mar., 2017
Accepted: 27 Apr., 2017
Published: 12 May, 2017
Copyright
© 2017 Ithape et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article
:
Ithape D.M., Maharana M., and Tripathy S.K., 2017, Scope of genetic transformation in sugarcane: a review, Genomics and Applied Biology, 8(1): 1-7
(doi:
Abstract
Sugarcane is a cash crop of national importance. Its complex genome, narrow gene pool, long breeding cycle, rare
flowering and complex environmental interactions hinders progress in genetic improvement. But, the crop serves as an excellent
material for in vitro culture. Therefore, genetic transformation can be a better alternative to incorporate resistance to diseases and
abiotic stresses, and genetic improvement of quality traits. In this pursuit, the authors presented a detailed review of the status of
in
vitro
culture and current strategies of genetic transformation in sugarcane using a number of important candidate genes.
Keywords
Callusing and regeneration response; Genetic transformation;
Saccharum officinarum L
.
Introduction
Sugarcane (
Saccharum officinarum L
.) is a commercial cash crop. Brazil tops sugarcane production followed by
India which contribute nearly 15% of world sugar production. Besides, it has immense potential for production of
many diversified products. Its enormous potential for ethanol production has been recognized which is used as a
fuel blend with petrol for running automobiles. Besides, green top of sugarcane is in vogue used as fodder and
cattle feed. Dried filter cake is used as animal feed supplement, fertilizer and source of sugarcane wax. While, the
filter mud resulted from sugar processing is utilized as manure. Bagasse is used as bio-sorbent for waste water
purification and also for manufacture of paper, paper board products, hardboard as well as fuel to run boilers for
boiling the juice.
In India, sugarcane is constrained with low productivity owing to sensitivity to salt, drought and biotic stresses
(Nasir et al., 2000; Khaliq et al., 2005). Drought alone accounts about 17% potential yield loss. Being a typical
glycophyte, its growth is severely affected leading to significant reduction in yield potential under salt stress
(Suprasanna, 2010). Narrow gene pool, higher ploidy (2n=100-120), rare flowering, low fertility, large genome
size, long breeding cycle and complex environmental interactions seem to be major hindrances for breeding of
sugarcane. However, production of transgenic sugarcane can be a better alternative to integrate desired gene(s)
related to diseases, abiotic stresses, set yield and quality traits. The approach avoids the problem of linkage drag
besides shortcutting the period of breeding in sugarcane.
1 Response to
in vitro
Culture
In vitro culture is an integral part of plant genetic transformation (Tiel Kenia et al., 2006). 2,4-D is in vogue
reported to produce white creamy embryogenic (nodular) callus from leaf whorl explant which is ideal for genetic
transformation. Khamrit et al. (2012) got profused and best callusing response in MS with 3 mg/l 2,4-D + 15%
coconut water. Khan et al. (2004) revealed best callus induction and proliferation on MS medium containing 2.0
mg/I 2, 4-D, while combination of 2, 4-D (2 mg/l) with kn (0.5 mg/l) proved to be best for rapid callus growth in
all sugarcane genotypes (Srivong et al., 2015). Similarly, combination of 3.0 mg/l of 2,4-D with 0.2 mg/l Kinetin
gives best callus from young leaves with callusing response up to 83% in 13-15 days (Satpal et al., 2011).
Direct morphogenesis minimizes somaclonal variation and it can be amenable for genetic transformation. Shoot
tip explant (Yadav et al., 2012) and Leaf discs from young leaf whorl is reported be a quick, effective and
reproducible direct regeneration system (Ali et al., 2012). Direct regeneration was achieved on MS medium with
