Effects of benzylaminopurine and macro propagation techniques on multiplication of dessert banana (Musa acuminate L.)

Abstract

Dessert Banana (Musa acuminate L.) is a major fruit crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The major constraints and critical gaps to expand banana production is scarcity of planting material. Naturally regenerated propagation method is a slow process due to strong hormone-mediated apical dominance exerted by the main plant. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and macro propagation techniques on multiplication of dessert Banana (Musa acuminate L.). The study was conducted in a propagator with growth chambers under shed net house. Maiden suckers of “Grand Nain” banana corm was used as planting material. The study was carried out in factorial arrangement using completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times. Macro propagation manipulation techniques (PI, screw and Split) and different levels of BAP concentration (0, 1.5, 2.5 and 4 mg L−1) were used. The result showed that BAP significantly reduced shoot emergence time in which the minimum time (15.89days) was recorded at 2.5 mg L−1 BAP concentration and screw method of propagation; while split method with no BAP took maximum days (27.78 days). The maximum number of shoots per corm (8.93) was recorded from 1.5 BAP concentration and PIF macro-propagation method while the minimum number of shoots per corm was recorded from split macro-propagation with no application of BAP. Hence, Screw and PIF macro propagation methods with the application of 1.5-2.5 BAP concentration are effective for small scale rapid and mass propagation of dessert banana (Musa acuminate L.)

Keywords

• Apical-dominance
• Benzlyamimopurine
• Macro-propagation
• Dessert Banana
• Tropical fruit