Index based selection of treatments and genotypes for the in-vitro shoot regeneration in banana

Abstract

The in vitro shoot regeneration studies for four banana cultivars (Poovan, Karpuravalli, Rasthali andMonthan) was conducted via shoot tip culture using three plant bioregulators (PBRs) viz., 6-Benzylaminopurine(BAP), Kinetin (KIN) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in different combinations and concentrations. Shootregeneration revealed the significant effects of various PBRs combinations. This study utilized index basedselection, for the selection of best treatments and cultivars for shoot regeneration in bananas. Based on theSmith’s selection index score, the PBRs combination T6 (BAP@5.0mg/l+NAA@0.5mg/l) which ranked first (0.24)was selected as the best PBRs combination for shoot regeneration. Among the cultivars, ‘Rasthali’ (-0.76) whichranked first was selected as the best genotype for shoot regeneration in bananas. However, the combinedeffect of hormonal combination (T6) and cultivar ‘Poovan’ (2.61) ranked first. These results also showed that theresponse of ABB type (Karpuravalli and Monthan) was poorer than that of the AAB group (Poovan and Rasthali)indicating that, the in vitro regeneration was much influenced by the genotype of plant species and the type ofexplants material as well as the type of PBR combinations. Overall, the cultivar-specific regeneration protocolproved essential for better in vitro regeneration of banana.