Optimization of In Vitro Micropropagation Protocol for Banana (Musa Sapientum L.) Under Different Hormonal Concentrations and Growth Media

This study was aimed to develop a simple, comprehensive and efficiently repetitive protocol for micropropagation of banana (Musa sapientum L.) using shoot meristem. After growing in-vitro cultures on different hormonal combinations, Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with BAP and IAA (5.0 + 1.0 mg/l, respectively) and 10% CW were found to be most efficient and productive combination for shoot proliferation. Antibiotic (cefotaxime) was used to check the endogenously born bacterial contamination. Initiation of shoot bud and establishment of culture from shoot meristem was achieved on liquid media. Further shoot proliferation of cultures up to 3 batches of 15 days each was achieved on the agarose gel solidified hormonal supplemented media after culture establishment. The proliferated shoots were excised and transferred to different root induction media, which resultantly showed that MS media supplemented with IAA (2mg/l), was the most efficient root inducing media. Rooted plantlets after primary and secondary hardening were transferred to the green house. Finally, these disease free plants were successfully established in soil.