Optimizing the effect of plant growth regulators in Micropropagation of banana variety Monthan

Abstract

Monthan variety of banana is widely cultivated variety for processing. An advantage of micro propagation over conventional techniques is that it helps pave a way towards conservation of endangered species, helps produce disease free plants and also helps in rapidly multiplying stock plant material. This study emphasizes the effect of plant growth regulators on the micro propagation of Monthan variety of banana. The sword suckers of three months old were used as explants. The explants sterilised thoroughly and MS media supplemented with the cytokinins (BAP and kinetin), coconut water and auxins (IBA and NAA) in different concentration (3 to 5 mg/l) were used to study the best the multiple shoot generation from explants and root growth from shoots. Among the tested concentrations the desirable shoot multiplication was found in MS basal with BAP 3 mgl-1+Coconut water 5%. The micro propagated plants were then hardened in greenhouse followed by the acclimatization. This study concluded this concentration of growth regulators can be set as a practicable protocol for the successful regeneration of new plantlets of Monthan variety of banana.