African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (9), pp. 1106-1109, 2 May 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro micropropagation of Musa sapientum L. (Cavendish Dwarf)

K. Kalimuthu^1*, M. Saravanakumar² and R. Senthilkumar¹

¹Department of Biotechnology, Hindusthan College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore – 641 028, India.

²Rasi Agri Biogenetics, Attur, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: k_kallimuthu@rediffmail.com

Accepted 10 November, 2006

A complete protocol for micropropagation of Musa sapientum using shoot meristems was developed. Multiple shoots were induced in vitro from shoot meristems. Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with BAP and NAA (3.0 + 0.2 mg/l, respectively) was found to be most suitable combination. Further multiplication of shoots required habituation of cultures up to 3 passages of 21 days each on the same medium after establishment of culture and initiation of shoot buds. Thereafter 3-fold multiplication rate was achieved during every subculture. For rooting the shoots were excised and transferred to same medium. Rooted plantlets were then transferred to primary and secondary hardening and grown in the green house. These hardened plants have been successfully established in soil.

Key words: Micropropagation, regeneration, plantain, Musa sapientum, shoots, meristems.