Banana: cultivars, biotechnological approaches and genetic transformation

Abstract

Summary Genetic modification of banana has been considered as a path towards increasing the value of this crop according to health and nutrition in developing countries. Banana as a crop is one of the most important and widely consumed fruits as a weaning food by children and as a starchy staple for all other consumers. As well as providing a low cost and easily produced source of energy, bananas are also rich in certain minerals and in vitamins A, C and B6. Growing urbanisation in many developing countries upgraded the crop importance as a source of revenue, occasionally providing the main source of income for rural communities. Genetically modified organism bananas have been advocated as carrier for vaccines and as a source of carotenoids that can counteract debilitating vitamin A deficiency. The rather high vulnerability of banana to pests and diseases triggered biotechnological applications in an attempt to produce new, more resistant banana cultivars. However, the potential biosafety of genetically modified banana and its applications should be taken into account prior to its extensive usage. The current survey summarises the most important biotechnological techniques (in vitro culture, DNA fingerprinting, somatic emrbyogenesis, DNA flow cytometry, etc.) and applications (micropropagation, in vitro selection, somaclonal variation, protoplast fusion, haploid production, etc.) in banana and emphasises on genetic transformation in conjunction with the expressed gene and modified trait aiming at a further improvement of this crop.

Somatic Embryogenesis: Fundamental Aspects and Applications

“…These procedures depend on the efficient regeneration of emblings from cells for delivery of genes that may confer resistance to biotic or abiotic stresses (Table 21.3). The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method may be more widely applicable as it offers advantages over direct gene transfer methodologies like particle bombardment and electroporation (Arvanitoyannis et al 2008). The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method may be more widely applicable as it offers advantages over direct gene transfer methodologies like particle bombardment and electroporation (Arvanitoyannis et al 2008).…”

Next Generation Plant Biotechnology

“…• Bananas that are resistant to fungal wilt (Panama wilt) and black leaf streak diseases, and exhibit increased β-carotene and iron (Aravanityonnis et al 2008;Kovács et al 2013;Cressey 2013); • Corn with enhanced levels of multivitamins, including β-carotene (provitamin A), ascorbate (vitamin C), and folate (vitamin B9) (Naqvi et al 2009);…”

Somatic Embryogenesis in Banana, Musa ssp.

“…Protocols for ECS transformation by particle bombardment (Becker et al 2000;Sagi et al 1995) and co-cultivation with Agrobacterium are available for both, dessert and cooking bananas (Ganapathi et al 2001a). The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method may be more widely applicable as it offers advantages over direct gene transfer methodologies like particle bombardment and electroporation (Arvanitoyannis et al 2008). The currently technology for banana transformation uses ECS cultures initiated form either scalps or immature male flower as starting plant material (Table 21.6), which have been applied to a range of banana cultivars and genotypes in which new genes (trans or cis) are successfully introduced.…”