EFFECT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF MUSA ACUMINATA UNDER IN VITRO STRESS CONDITION WITH DIFFERENT SALINITY LEVELS

Salinity represents one among the foremost abiotic stress factors influence plant growth and production round the world. In this experiment, in vitro multiplication of Musa acuminata has been standardized. The physiological and morphological responses of the crop against salt stress has been identified. Seven different NaCl levels [0(control), 50, 100, 150, 200, 250and 300mM] were maintained at shoot multiplication stage for 6- weeks.To study the effects of Salicylic acid (SA) and Abscisic acid (ABA) on salt stress in banana (Musa acuminata), the explants were treated with varying SA and ABA concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3mM) and incubated on MS media containing different levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300mM) of NaCl in vitro. After two months, proliferation rate, fresh weight increase, relative water content, chlorophyll level and proline accumulations were measured and analyzed. The results indicated that with increasing levels of NaCl, proliferation rate, fresh weight, relative water content and chlorophyll concentrations were significantly decreased. The SA and ABA concentrations improved plant performance by increasing proliferation rate, fresh weight increase and relative water content. Although, non SA and ABA treated plants were not significantly responsive to increasing levels of NaCl in terms of elevated proline content, they responded positively to supply of SA and ABA by showing significant increase in proline, fresh weight and chlorophyll contents under water stressed conditions. The results revealed that exogenous application of SA and ABA helped to reduce the harmful effects of salt deficient on banana regenerates in vitro and in vivo condition.