Field performance of in vitro-propagated and sucker-derived plants of banana (Musa spp.)

• Published in: Plant production science 2000, Vol.3 (2), p.124-128
• Main Authors: BUAH, J. N, KAWAMITSU, Y, YONEMORI, S, MURAYAMA, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Leaves; Photosynthesis; Plants; Roots; Vegetative propagation. Micropropagation; Vegetative propagation. Sowing and planting. Harvesting
• ISSN: 1343-943X; 1349-1008
• DOI: 10.1626/pps.3.124

The field performance of in vitro-propagated banana(Musa spp.)plants was compared with that of the sucker-derived plants.In vitro-propagated plants established and grew faster, taller and bigger than the conventional sucker-derived plants.The former produced more leaves resulting in a larger total leaf area(8001.5 cm2 per plant)than the latter(6613.1 cm2 per plant)and could be harvested earlier.The former also produced heavier bunches and fruit(15.2 kg for bunch and 200 g per finger of fruit)than the latter(9.0 kg for bunch and 136.4 g per finger of fruit).In this experiment, the in vitro-propagated plants had many intact roots and a bulk of vermiculite around their roots but the sucker-derived plants had many damaged roots at the time of planting.In addition, in vitro-propagated plants started growth earlier and grew faster enabling them to intercept more light for photosynthesis than the sucker-derived plants.This may explain the higher yield in the in vitro-propagated plants.We conclude that in vitro-propagated Shima banana performs better in terms of growth and yield than the sucker-derived plants under field conditions.