Salinity-Induced Alterations in the Growth, Membranes and Osmolytes of Musa spp. cv. Caipira (AAA) During Micropropagation

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and exposure time to NaCl suitable for the micropropagation of banana, through the analysis of growth traits. Banana propagules were inoculated in MS medium with different concentrations of NaCl (0; 50; 75 and 100 mM) for 120 days (multiplication and rooting, 60 days each), with monthly subcultures. These propagules were measured for plant height, number of leaves, sprouting rate, average number of formed propagules, rooting rate, root length and survival rate. After 30 days, NaCl reduced sprouting rate at multiplication; the number of leaves, rooting rate and root length in rooting; and the height and propagules number in both phases. After 60 days, the NaCl affected the sprouting rate and propagules number in the multiplication; length of root in rooting; and the height and number of leaves in both phases. After 120 days, the reduction in the survival rate was proportional to the increase of NaCl in the medium. Thus, it is concluded that NaCl reduces most of the growth traits and the treatments with 75 and 100 mM NaCl affected multiplication and in vitro rooting more intensely.