Somatic embryogenesis in vitro of Musa clones

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration were achieved by culturing callus from apical shoot of four clones of Musa sp.: Titiaro (AA); Pineo Gigante and Brasilero (AAA); and Tetraploide (AAAA). Growth regulators 2,4-D (4 mg/l) and Dicamba were tried unsuccessfully for the initiation of cultures. Somatic embryogenesis was carried out with vitroplants originated from two groups: Ai with three subcultures, two with 5 mg/l of BAP and one using 10 mg/l, and B) also with 3 subcultures all of them with 5 mg/l of BAP. Both initiation and multiplication of embryogenic callus was achieved by using the same concentration of 2,4-D. Initiation and the multiplication of embryogenic callus were achieved when tissues were placed in the dark. For differentiation of embryos, zeatin (15 mg/l) was added to the same basic medium and tissues were placed under light (50 UE/m(.2).seg(-1)) and 27 degrees C. The plants obtained by this method are being evaluated.