Accelerating regeneration of threatened wild banana (Musa paramjitiana L.J. Singh) endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands in the Bay of Bengal are known to harbour 2426 species of angiosperms, of which about 300 are endemic to these islands 1 . This diversity includes taxa of ecological and economic importance. The wealth of horticulturally useful species, including their wild relatives present in these Islands has been documented 2 . However, new species having potential agricultural importance are being discovered and reported regularly as large areas of these islands are yet to be explored systematically 3 . Recently, a new endemic species of seeded wild banana, viz. Musa paramjitiana L.J. Singh has been reported from the Andaman Islands 3 , with observations on multiplication of species under field conditions. However, the threats posed by human interventions and damage by elephants have led to restricted distribution of the species in Andaman Islands and its categorization as ‘Critically Endangered’ species 3 . Under such conditions, assisted regeneration of species by raising nursery would be advantageous. Here, we studed the effect of seed treatments and substrates on germination and seedling growth parameters in the species for facilitating its conservation and further use in research.