Effect of the cytokinins combination on adventitious buds formation in banana cv. 'Gros Michel' (<i>Musa</i> AAA)

Abstract

Cytokinins are used for adventitious buds formation but high concentrations may have negative effects on plant regeneration. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of different combinations of cytokinins on the induction of adventitious buds of cultivar ‘Gros Michel’ (Musa AAA). Different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg l-1) and Thidiazuron (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg l-1) were studied to achieve the formation of these structures. As controls, 22.5 mg l-1 6-BAP and 2.0 mg l-1 TDZ, widely used for these purposes in this culture, were used. The treatment with 2.0 mg l-1 6-BAP + 1.0 mg l-1 TDZ was the one that achieved the highest percentage of adventitious buds formation, with 80% of the explants, with results much higher than those achieved by the controls and other combinations studied. With this treatment, an average of 2.72 adventitious buds per explant was obtained with the least number of shoots per explant (1.24) at 60 days of culture. For this reason, this combination of cytokinins was selected for the formation of adventitious buds in banana cv. 'Gros Michel', as it was possible to decrease the levels of 6-BAP and TDZ that have negative effects on the subsequent plants regeneration. Keywords: bananas, 6- Benzylaminopurine, Thidiazuron