Clonal propagation of Enset (Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman) through shoot tip cultures

Summary

The morphogenetic potential of the shoot tip explants ofEnsete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman, a wild relative of the cultivated bananas, was investigated and an effective clonal propagation method devised. Shoot tip explants grown in modified MS medium containing 1.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP and 1 mg l⁻¹ KIN developed corms which on transfer to medium containing 3 mg l⁻¹ IBA and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP, regenerated a large number of shoots from the surface of the corm, the origin of which was traced to single hypodermal cells. Shoots were rooted on a half-strength MS medium salts containing 3 mg l⁻¹ IBA and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ BAP. The rooted plantlets were hardened and planted in the field where the plants looked normal.