Standardization of in vitro micropropagation technique for multiplication of banana cv. Battisa (ABB)

An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for banana cv. Battisa using shoot tips as explants. The effects of benzyl amino purine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ), and indole butyric acid (IBA) on shoot multiplication, elongation, and root induction were investigated. MS medium supplemented with TDZ (1.0 mg L-1) produced the highest average number of shoots (8.25) per explant, while the combination of BAP (3 mg L-1) and TDZ (0.5 mg L-1) yielded the maximum multiplication rate (9.16 shoots) after four successive subcultures. GA3 (0.2 mg L-1) promoted optimal shoot elongation, and IBA (1.0 mg L-1) induced the highest number of roots. Regenerated plantlets were successfully hardened and established in the field, exhibiting morphological characteristics identical to those of the mother plants with a 90% success rate. This protocol has potential applications for the commercial production of disease-free Battisa clones through micropropagation.