ISHS


Acta
Horticulturae
Home


Login
Logout
Status


Help

ISHS Home

ISHS Contact

Consultation
statistics
index


Search
 
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops

MEASURES TO REDUCE SOMACLONAL VARIATION IN IN VITRO PROPAGATED BANANAS

Authors:   O. Reuveni, Y. Israeli
DOI:   10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.275.37
Abstract:
Data are presented on the percentage of off-types in populations of in vitro propagated bananas. Dwarfism (DW) was the most common mutant accounting for about 80% of the off-types. The other major group was characterized by different degrees of rubbery, narrower and in extreme cases drooping leaves with mosaic-like symptoms (MO). In some cases a mutant characterized by reddish (RD) leaf petioles and leaf sheaths was found.

Explants taken from DW, MO, RD and normal plants were established in culture on two different media. Through six subcultures it was not possible to distinguish visually between normal and mutant plants.

Families originating from different primary explants were established and kept in culture. During different periods plants were regenerated and evaluated in the field. In some families mutation occurred at an early stage, in culture, in others at a late stage, and in some not at all.

In order to reduce the mutation rate in the field, the following measures are suggested: a) select very carefully true-to-type plant material for propagation; b) minimize the number of transfers in culture, c) at the nursery stage, screen out visual off-types; and d) investigate the possibility of selecting stable families for in vitro propagation.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)

275_36     275     275_38

URL www.actahort.org      Hosted by KU Leuven LIBIS      © ISHS