A comparative in vitro study of Pb tolerance in three sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) genotypes

Heavy metal accumulation in agriculture land is one of the major agriculture challenges affecting the crop production and threatens the food safety. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the tolerance of three sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) genotypes to Lead nitrate under controlled in vitro conditions. Various parameters including fresh and dry weight, callus morphology, shoot morphology, protein contents, catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid contents, relative growth rate, stress tolerance index, Pb contents, and Bio concentration factor were evaluated across a range of six different concentrations of Pb (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1 mM). Lead had a noticeable impact on callus growth and regeneration across all three genotypes, whereas it did not significantly affect root regeneration. All genotypes significantly vary at each treatment and parameter except Bio-concentration factor and protein contents. Among the genotypes studied, YT-53 exhibited the highest resistance to Pb-induced stress, followed by CP-77400, while NSG-59 demonstrated the least resistance to Pb stress. Most resistant genotypes can be used in heavy metal effected area for better yield and phytoremediation in Pb affected soil and in other breeding programs.