ISHS Acta Horticulturae 692: II International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species
SOMACLONAL VARIATION: A TOOL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CAVENDISH BANANA CULTIVARS |
| Author: | C.Y. Tang |
| Abstract:
An improvement program for disease resistance and horticultural traits in Cavendish banana cultivars was established using somaclonal variants as a source of variation. The improvement procedure included single plant selection, clonal evaluation and experimental variety trials. Resistance to Fusarium wilt (race 4) is the most important breeding objective of the program. Resistant clones were selected by the pot screening technique using the fungal pathogen as the innoculum. A large quantity of young plants derived from tissue culture were subjected to the challenge of the disease. Putative resistant plants were identified and were multiplied by tissue culture for further evaluation. Through this procedure, several promising clones showing a high level of resistance to Fusarium wilt were selected and subjected to further evaluation. Somaclonal variation is also an effective tool in the improvement of horticultural traits of banana. A semi-dwarf resistant clone, TC1-229, which is about 70 cm shorter, was identified. It was derived from 'Tai-Chiao No. 1' which is tall and susceptible to wind damage. This clone was registered as ' Tai-Chiao No. 3' in 2000 and released for commercial planting in 2001. Further selection from TC1-229 resulted in the identification of clones with improved bunch size and shape, and these are now undergoing further evaluation. Triploid Cavendish bananas are highly sterile and hence very difficult to improve by conventional hybridization method. Selection among somaclonal variants has proved to be an effective alternative in the improvement of Cavendish bananas. | |
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