Modified and simple regeneration pathway from male flower bud of banana (cv. Nedu Nendran AAB) via somatic embryogenesis

This study was aimed at improving the regeneration capacity of recalcitrant plantain cv. Nedu Nendran (AAB) through modification of culture technique and media composition. Liquid pretreated floral explants exhibited better results in terms of earlier (3–4 months) and higher embryogenic response (4.5%) on solid callus induction media. Embryogenic clusters developed between 4–7 months of culture were transferred to suspension medium. Gradual scale up of medium from 4 to 15 ml in 60 days was found beneficial for better uniformity of cell suspension. Regeneration of somatic embryos on picloram (4.1 μM) supplemented medium exhibited better germination irrespective of the age of embryos. Earlier germination response (by 30 days) and persistence of germination capacity until 120 days was recorded from embryos regenerated in modified regeneration medium. This resulted in a time gain of 30 days and prolonged availability of good explants (somatic embryos) for 30 days over the standard protocol. Minor modifications in the culture techniques and media composition improved the embryogenic capacity and regeneration ability in otherwise a recalcitrant cv. Nedu Nendran.