Selection of an Ametryn tolerant sugarcane cellular line

Abstract

Calli derived from sugarcane Saccharum sp (cultivar V64-10) were used to select and characterize an ametryn tolerant cellular line. The isolated cellular line (tolerant calli), their subsequent regenerated plants and the calli newly induced from these were analyzed and characterized for degree of tolerance. The concentration of 40 mg/L of ametryn produced growth inhibition of 58% in calli and 60% in cell suspensions. The tolerant calli tolerated a 6.25-fold higher ametryn concentration than the sensitive calli. The tolerant regenerated plants were regenerated from tolerant calli. The tolerant regenerated plants tolerated a 5.35-fold higher ametryn concentration than the sensitive regenerated plants. The calli derived from the tolerant regenerated plants tolerated a 4.3-fold higher ametryn concentration than those derived from sensitive regenerated plants. Consequently, the tolerance persisted throughout the differentiation into plants and dedifferentiation into calli. This performance suggests that an in vitro selection of pre-existing variability has taken place.