African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (3), pp. 229-234, March 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Response of Musa species to macro-propagation. II: The effects of genotype, initiation and weaning media on sucker growth and quality in the nursery

Baiyeri K. P.

Dept. of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. E-mail: paulkayodebaiyeri@yahoo.com.

Accepted 26 January, 2005

Sucker plantlets of five Musa genotypes were derived from sword-sucker-corms using ricehull and sawdust as initiation media. Plantlets initiated were transferred to three weaning/rooting media formulated with ricehull (RH), sawdust (SD) and poultry manure (PM). Weaning media and genotypes had significant (P<0.05) effects on most of the sucker plantlet growth parameters studied. There was variable adaptation pattern of genotypes to weaning/rooting media. RH+PM (3:1 v/v) enhanced the best sucker quality in terms of number of photosynthetically active leaves, plant height, plant girth and plant vigor in four (‘PITA 22’, ‘Agbagba’, ‘FHIA 17’ and ‘Nsukka local’) out of the five genotypes evaluated. Except ‘PITA 25’ all other genotypes had the poorest performance in SD+PM (3:1 v/v). Medium SD+RH+PM (1.5:1.5:1 v/v/v) supported good quality sucker in ‘Agbagba’, ‘FIHA 17’, ‘Nsukka Local’ and ‘PITA 25’.  Percent survival in each weaning medium was influenced by genotype and the rooting status of plantlets at the time of excision. However, from the study RH+PM was adjudged the best medium for raising plantlets to vigorous suckers for field planting.

Key words: Sucker-plantlets, weaning media, genotypic responses, growth quality.