RECENT INNOVATIONS IN SUGARCANE MICROPROPAGATION: A REVIEW OF TISSUE CULTURE PROTOCOLS, GENETIC STABILITY, AND COMMERCIAL-SCALE PROPAGATION

Sugarcane is a high biomass crop with a rapid distribution system, which adds to its commercial value.To maximize economic value, genetically uniform and pathogen tested planting materials must be rapidly distributed.Conventional sett multiplication of sugarcane can be slow and may perpetuate systemic pathogens, therefore tissue culture is an essential component of modern seed cane systems.This review assesses the recent advances on the topics of explant, media, plant growth regulators, shoot regeneration, rooting and acclimatization, temporary immersion, bioreactors, genetic fidelity, somaclonal variation, molecular quality control, and commercial scale up.Recent studies have shown that protocol performance is genotype-dependent and for cases where varietal identity is of primary concern, direct meristematic or axillary regeneration is preferred.Control of immersion frequency, aeration, contamination and hyperhydricity is crucial in the temporary immersion systems, but their use can be more easily automated compared to other systems.Somaclonal variation is a major concern in the genetic uniformity of the planting material.Genetic integrity is essential for crop fidelity and therefore genetic integrity is of concern.Meristem culture and pathogen fidelity indexing shift the focus to the sanitary aspect of micropropagation.In addition, smart technologies and genome editing, as well as the use of artificial intelligence, will allow for rapid advancements in sugarcane micropropagation.Commercial potential for the micropropagation of sugarcane will be increased by addressing biological fidelity, pathogen freedom and automation.