Effect of Picloram on Somatic Embryogenesis from Leaf-sheath Explants in Diploid Musa acuminata cv. Njalipoovan

Abstract

Embryogenic callus was obtained from leaf sheath explants on MS supplemented with 16.56 μM picloram in Musa acuminata (diploid) cv. Njalipoovan (AB). Exogenous application of ascorbic acid on somatic embryogenesis at optimal level accelerated the conversion rate of the embryos. Shoot and root developed from the embryos on MS incubated in dark. Further growth of plantlets obtained on half strength of MS under light conditions. Regenerated plantlets showed 100% survival.India has a rich genetic diversity of banana with more than 90 distinct clones. South India is well-known for the presence of numerous diploid as well as triploid edible banana cultivars (Heslop-Harrison and Schwarzacher 2007). Local or indigenous cultivars are generally more tolerant to local conditions and have lesser growth requirements to obtain satisfactory yield. Because of high sterility and polyploidy of the edible varieties (Stover and Simmonds 1987), conventional breeding is difficult in banana. The food value of bananas has been appreciated for a long time and continuous efforts are made to broaden the research on production of improved varieties. However, parthenocarpy, female sterility, polyploidy in different cultivars and limited amount of genetic and genomic information make the production of new banana cultivars difficult and time consuming. The alternative techniques such as tissue culture has been attempted in order to induce variations in banana plants and to select variants having desired qualities (Novak et al. 1989). Somatic embryogenesis was achieved using floral explants (Panis et al. 1993, Navarro et al. 1997 or cell suspensions of diploid and triploid cultivars with AA, AAA, AAB and ABB genomes (Cronauer and Krikorian 1983, Escalant and Teisson 1988, Ganapathi et al. 2001. Establishment of somatic embryogenesis has a great potential for overcoming some of the factors that limit traditional approaches to banana and plantain improvement.

Effect of picloram herbicide on physiological responses of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng

“…This herbicide is widely used in many countries because of the high efficiency in the control of broadleaf weed and woody plants in pasture, wheat, rice, barley, sugarcane, and other crop fields (Sheley et al, 2002;Nelson and Lym, 2003;Dos Santos and Masini, 2007). As a selective herbicide, many researchers have studied its mechanisms of action on plants (Ortega and Pearson, 2011;Smitha and Nair, 2011). Foy and Penner (1965) considered that its biochemical mechanisms may suppress plant respiration; while other researchers (Owens, 1969;Chang and Foy, 1982) held that its mechanism was effected by chelating free or bonded metal-ion (such as Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Mn 2+ ), and inhibiting protein synthesis such as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD).…”

Biotechnological interventions in banana: current knowledge and future prospects

“…Njalipoovan (AB). Further, subculturing of the callus in dark on MS basal media resulted in the development of shoots and roots ( Smitha and Nair, 2011 ).…”

A Rapid Protocol for Somatic Embryogenesis Mediated Regeneration in Banana (Musa Spp.) Cv. Nendran

“…However, after two months of inoculation, 80 per cent callus initiation was observed beneath the bracts. Smitha and Ashalatha (2011) reported the effect of picloram on callus induction from leaf-sheath explants. They obtained a brown, spongy callus with yellow globular structures using low concentrations of picloram in MS medium.…”

“…Callus initiation occurred in 45-55 days from inoculation in this combination. In a study by Smitha and Ashalatha (2011), embryogenic callus was obtained fr om leaf-sheath explants on MS supplemented with picloram in Musa acuminata cv. Njalipoovan (AB).…”