Philippine E-Journals

Development of Low-cost and Rapid Multiplication Techniques of Tissue-cultured Musa acuminate (AA Group) cv. 'Lacatan' Banana Seedlings

Maura Luisa S. Gabriel | Marissa I. Atis | Araceli J. Badar | Miriam E. Pascua

Discipline: Agriculture

 

Abstract:

In-vitro multiplication and nursery management techniques were developed for the production of Musa acuminata (AA Group) cv. ‘Lacatan’ banana seedlings at the Mariano Marcos State University from 2005 to 2007. In-vitro is focused on formulating culture media using low-cost materials as substitute to chemical components, such as Murashige and Skoog (MS) with the addition of 5ppm Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) 2% sucrose and 4.5g Biolife agar. Substituting the chemical formulation led to comparable results in terms of the growth of plantlets as well as the quality and quantity of plantlets. The developed culture media was used for shoot proliferation and root induction of in-vitro banana. The cost of one shoot/meriplant was P0.02 using the developed media, compared to the P0.20 using the chemical formulation. Likewise, the costs of rooting one plantlet were P0.64 and P0.26 for the existing and for the developed media, respectively. Hence, the total cost of producing one plantlet (from shoot proliferation to root induction) was P0.28 via the developed media, while that of using the existing media was P0.84. Some nursery management techniques that were established include the following; pot out tissue-cultured banana plantlets in a soil mixture of 2:1 ratio of carbonized rice hull and ordinary garden soil to obtain more vigorous plantlets; pot out 3 to 10cm tall plantlets with bottle covering for seven days; expose the plantlets under the sun with partial shade for three days to obtain a higher plantlet survival. Another technique for better seedling performance was the application of urea. One tablespoonful was drenched daily to one-month old seedlings. This technique increased their height at four weeks after application (56.73cm). Smaller plants were obtained when urea solution of 2-3tbsp/16 liter of water was drenched every other day (51.49cm) and once a week (43.20cm). The establishment of in-vitro techniques and nursery management for the production of cv. Lacatan banana seedlings provided some benefits both to the researchers and the farmer-clientele.