Somatic embryogenesis from male flower of giant pineo and silk fig

Abstract

Banana is a major crop in Venezuela as well as in most tropical countries, due to its high content of vitamins and minerals. Due to the high demand for healthy plants, and for genetically improved materials with resistance to diseases, biotechnology is a useful alternative to produce these plants. The objective of the present work is to induce somatic embryogenesis and cell suspensions in ‘Giant Pineo’ (Musa AAA) and ‘Manzano’ (Musa AAB),  though the in vitro culture of immature male flowers. Flowers were selected from the 6th and 11th reduced flower bud. In order to induce somatic embryogenesis, MS culture medium, supplemented with biotin 1 mg l^-1 , malt extract 0,1 g l^-1 , glutamine 10 g l^-1, IAA 1 mg l^-1, NAA 1 mg l^-1 ,2,4-D (0, 2, 4 y 8 mg l^-1) and agarose 7 g l^-1 was used. Cell suspensions were obtained in MS1 medium supplemented with 2,4-D 3mg l^-1, hydrolyzed casein 0,4 g l^-1, and sucrose 20g l^-1 and in MS2 medium supplemented with hydrolyzed casein 0,4 g l^-1, coconut water 50 ml l^-1, 2,4-D 3 mg l^-1, arginine 50 mg l^-1, and sucrose 30 g l^-1. Histological studies at the initial culture, callogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis stage were done. In Giant Pineo cultivar friable calluses were obtained. Globular somatic embryos (histologically evidenced) developed 6 months after culture. Cell suspensions were formed 2 months later. In Manzano cultivar, callogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were obtained in MS-4 medium. No cell suspensions were obtained for this cultivar