Philippine E-Journals

Brassinolide on In Vitro Growth of Apical Meristem of Bananas

Florenda C. Ballesteros-temanel

Discipline: Ecology

 

Abstract:

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are new class of hormones noted to perform multiple physiological functions in plant growth and development and have the potential of influencing cell and tissue growth in vitro. Many naturally occurring BRs, including brassinolide, have been discovered, their mode of action and their growth promoting activities on plants. The use of brassinolide in in vitro propagation is new. The Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium was used as basal medium. Plant growth regulators - IAA, BA and BR - were added to the medium. The study used the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in factorial with three replications. The cultivar of banana and plant growth substances affected the number of buds produced, shoot length, root length, and stem girth. The interaction of these two factors (cultivar x PGR) influenced the number of buds produced in vitro and the shoot length of the meriplants. The study shows that brassinolide has an influence on shoot induction, proliferation, and elongation of bananas in in vitro propagation.