Morpho-anatomy of diploid and triploid Musa cultivars CO 2 and CO 3 male inflorescence and its implications in micropropagation

Banana (Musa spp.) is a major staple fruit and cash crop globally cultivated, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. It exhibits a complex inflorescence, which plays a vital role in its reproductive process. The inflorescence of bananas by distinct morphological and anatomical features that vary among different species and cultivars. Tissue culture techniques have emerged as pivotal tools that offer rapid propagation methods, utilising various explants to meet growing demands and enhance crop resilience. This study evaluated the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Musa paradisiaca cultivars CO 2 and CO 3, focusing on their potential as explants in tissue culture. Key differences between these two lines include floral axis orientation, bract pigmentation, flower structure and flower quantity. Notably, CO 2 exhibited the presence of papillae, whereas CO 3 lacked them. Both cultivars contained calcium oxalate crystals and raphides, which define their distinct anatomical traits and enhance their suitability for micropropagation. Furthermore, tissue culture experiments demonstrated early greening, faster callus formation and efficient shoot regeneration, with CO 2 demonstrating a slightly superior response to CO 3. The male inflorescences of both cultivars, when cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, responded within a greening time of approximately 16.2 days, swelling within 28.4 days and bud formation ranging from 2 to 6 per cluster, leading to the production of 12 to15 per nodal cluster. These findings suggest that male inflorescences have significant potential for efficient micropropagation, providing a valuable resource for banana cultivation and genetic improvement.