INFLUENCE OF GAMMA RADIATION ON THE PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF IN VITRO TRIPLOID AND TETRAPLOID BANANA SPECIES

Abstract

Resistance to different stresses of banana are much needed, therefore, introductions of new and healthy clones
are required. Applications of in vitro mutagenesis are considered as the reliable tool to create variations. For that
purpose, in vitro cultured multiple shoots of three Musa clones: Giant Cavendish Tissue Culture variant (GCTCV-
215), Yangambi KM-5 and FHIA-23 were exposed to different gamma doses (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Gy). Radiosensitivity
of in vitro shoots was assessed by counting data on survival % after 40 days of culture, a rate of shoot
multiplication, average shoot, fresh weight (g), root number and root length (cm). Different level of radiation
sensitivity was viewed in all Musa varieties. Lower dosage 10 Gy produced raising effect compared to control. The
present study may be helpful to introduce new Musa germplasm in our region.