Regeneration of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus free sugarcane plantlets through meristem culture

ObjectiveThe present study is an attempt to produce Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) free plantlets from commercial sugarcane varieties, UP 0123S and UP 0097, using meristem tip culture technique. MethodPlantlets were produced using meristem (different size) as explant, collected from virus infected and healthy field grown sugarcane plants. RT-PCR assay of regenerated plantlets was carried out to check the presence of virus at monthly interval up to six month stage using specific primer pair (SCYLV-615F:5'-ATGAATACGGGCGCTAACCGYYCAC-3' and SCYLV-615R:5'-GT-GTTGGGGRAGCGTCGCYTACC-3') obtained from Sugarcane yellow leaf virus. ResultThe plantlets of both varieties, regenerated from the meristems measuring up to 1.5 mm, did not showed the presence of virus during any growth stage under glasshouse conditions, this indicated the absolute elimination of SCYLV. However, the meristems measuring more than 1.5 mm size showed presence of the SCYLV in PCR assay.ConclusionMore than 200 plantlets, obtained from 1.0~1.5 mm meristem tip culture were propagated in greenhouse showed absence of SCYLV during all growth stages.