Enhancement of regeneration efficiency in banana (Musa acuminata cv. Berangan) by using proline and glutamine

Abstract

Regeneration of Musa acuminata cv. Berangan (AAA) from embryogenic cell suspension was enhanced by using proline and glutamine. Sixteen embryo development media consisting of different concentrations of proline and glutamine were tested. Glutamine was preferred as the source of organic nitrogen supplement compared to proline. The embryos developed in liquid media were shown to produce 10.6-fold higher number of plantlets in lesser duration (1.5 to 2.5 months) as compared to solid media. Optimum somatic embryo development was observed in liquid media supplemented with 400 mg/l glutamine (M4GL) with an average regeneration of 33,844 ± 402 plantlets per ml of settled cell volume (SCV). Although both amino acids have proven to promote the embryo development, concentrations of proline between 200 to 400 mg/l in liquid media caused abnormal embryo differentiation.