Influence of Different Growth Regulators on In Vitro Multiplication of Mixed Diploid Banana (Musa AB)

Abstract

The commercial scale banana multiplication through micropropagation is concentrated mainly on the Cavendish group of bananas. Other varieties, though possess a wide array of desirable characters, have been conveniently neglected owing to their inherent problems such as difficult aseptic establishment, low multiplication rate, culture browning, difficult hardening, etc. The mixed diploid bananas including the Ney Poovan are among the choicest of bananas relished in many parts of the world. To promote its cultivation, systematic studies were undertaken and the lines possessing superior attributes have been identified. In order to multiply the clones in large number, a viable multiplication protocol is a must. The present study dealt with optimizing the plant growth regulator requirements of the growing cultures for obtaining superior multiplication and in vitro rooting. Out of the different cytokinins as benzyl aminopurine, 2-isopentenyl adenine, meta topolin (mT), and thidiazuron (TDZ) tested, only TDZ was found to promote shoot multiplication in both types of propagules i.e. single and double bud explants, although shorter plantlets were noticed in the treatment. In vitro root induction parameters were found to be superior when indole butyric acid was used as auxin source. This report could help in improving the multiplication rate of this least attempted group of bananas. As per the present knowledge it is the first report on the use of TDZ and mT in mixed diploid banana.