Unlocking the Potential of Shoot Tip Culture for Rapid Multiplication of Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Amrit Sagar

The current trend leans towards employing an in vitro-based regenerative approach to tackle the various challenges associated with conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Amrit Sagar, native to North-east India, holds substantial nutritional and biological significance. However, its commercial cultivation faces obstacles such as poor sucker quality and biotic pressures. In this study, multiple shoots were obtained using shoot tip explants of M. acuminata cv. Amrit Sagar. These explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), adenine sulfate (AdS), and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). To facilitate in vitro propagation, surface sterilization was optimized using 4.0% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 20 min, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 20 min, resulting in a contamination rate as low as 13.33%. Shoot regeneration achieved an establishment rate of 87.33% using shoot tips in MS medium with 2.5 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Optimal multiple shoot formation was observed in MS medium containing 10 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA. Regarding root development, 92.90% efficiency was noted in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L^-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).