In Vitro Propagation of Musa Acuminata Cv. ‘Amrit Sagar’ Using Immature Male Buds Ensures Optimized Growth and Genetic Stability

The current trend involves using in vitro regenerative methodologies to address the challenges inherent in conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. ‘Amrit Sagar’, indigenous to Northeast India, holds significant nutritional and biological value; nevertheless, its commercial cultivation encounters impediments such as substandard sucker quality and biotic pressures. In the present investigation, regenerated plants were initiated using male buds of M. acuminata cv. ‘Amrit Sagar’. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6‑benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ), and α‑naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency (81.03%) of explants exhibiting white bud-like structures (WBLS) was observed in MS media enriched with TDZ (0.5 mg L⁻¹) and NAA (0.5 mg L⁻¹). Furthermore, the highest frequency (82.99%) of WBLS resulting in shoot emergence was observed in MS media enriched with TDZ (3.5 mg L⁻¹), adenine sulfate (AdS) (20 mg L⁻¹), and NAA (0.5 mg L⁻¹). The results indicated that half-strength MS media supplemented with 2.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) demonstrated superior efficacy, achieving an impressive 80.18% efficiency in root induction. A noteworthy survival rate exceeding 95% was observed for the acclimatized plants. Genetic fidelity tests using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers indicated consistent genomic integrity in tissue-cultured plants compared to their maternal counterparts. This research outlines vital insights and optimal conditions for in vitro propagation of this banana variety.