In vitro plant regeneration from male flowers of banana

The present study was undertaken with a view to establish a protocol on in vitro regeneration of plants by using young male flowers of banana (Musa sp. cv. Sabri) as explant. Appropriate developmental stage of immature male flowers for inoculation, medium composition for induction of calli, regeneration of plants, rooting of in vitro regenerated shoots, acclimatization of in vitro regenerated plantlets and ex vitro establishments of plantlets were worked out. Young male flowers obtained by striping away the bracts in between 24 to 26 were found suitable as explants for induction of callus. The isolated male flowers were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of three auxins viz. 2, 4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), NAA (Napthaleneacetic acid) and IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) for induction of callus. Only two of the total twenty two medium composition yielded calli. The better response (20%) was recorded in MS medium containing 2.0 2, 4-D + 0.5 NAA + 0.5 IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) (mg/l). The calli were cultured on MS medium fortified with different concentrations of BA (Benzyladenine), NAA, IAA and Glutamine or Caesin hydrolysate (CH) to regenerate shoots. MS medium having the supplementation of 1.0 BA + 0.5 IAA + 500 CH (mg/l) was appeared best for regeneration of shoots. Single isolated regenerated shoots were implanted on MS medium supplemented with three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l) of IBA or NAA to induce root. IBA at a concentration of 1.0 mg/l produced best rooting. The plantlets were gradually acclimatized and transferred to the soil. The survival percentage was about 90%.