Effect of modifying concentrations of calcium and magnesium on in vitro development of banana CV. Prata-Anã (Genomic group AAB)

Abstract

Research suggests that the development of micropropagated banana plants can be improved by altering nutrient concentrations in the culture medium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro development of banana plants exposed to varying concentrations of calcium and magnesium sulfate. The shoot tips of banana cv. Prata-Anã were inoculated in flasks (volume, 250 cm³) containing 50 mL of MS culture medium. The culture medium contained varying concentrations of CaCl₂ (0, 220, 440, 880 mg L^-1) and MgSO₄ (0, 185, 370, 740 mg L^-1. A completely randomized experimental design was employed, based on a 4 × 4 factorial scheme (four levels of CaCl₂ concentration, and four of MgSO₄). The MS culture medium containing 880 mg L^-1 of CaCl₂ but no MgSO₄ showed the highest increment in the number of leaves (6.0). The highest number of roots was observed in the absence of CaCl₂ and MgSO₄ in the medium. Additionally, the shoot length was longer (5.05 cm) when the MS medium was supplemented with 185 mg L^-1 of MgSO₄. The optimum in vitro development of banana cv. Prata-Anã was obtained when the MS medium was supplemented with 880 mg L^-1 of CaCl₂ and 370 mg L^-1 of MgSO₄.