An efficient embryogenic cell suspension culture system through secondary somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of true-to-type plants in banana cv. Sabri (silk subgroup AAB)

A reliable and reproducible embryogenic cell suspension culture system established successfully for regeneration of plants using pro-embryogenic cell mass derived from secondary somatic embryos as explants. A semi-solid medium was employed, which consisted of Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts and vitamins supplemented with 4 mg l − 1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1 mg l − 1 biotin, 1 mg l − 1 indole acetic acid (IAA), 1 mg l − 1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 25 mg l − 1 ascorbic acid, 3% (w/v) sucrose and 2 g l − 1 phytagel. The genetic integrity of the plants regenerated from the suspension cells was confirmed through various techniques, such as flow cytometry, simple-sequence repeats (SSR) markers and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. The field planting displayed no phenotypic deviations and no adverse effects on the vegetative and yield characteristics in banana cv. Sabri, a rapidly declining landrace in Tripura, India due to severe Fusarium wilt incidence. Based on these insights, we propose research priorities and complementary strategies aimed at the efficient conservation and rejuvenation of such valuable landraces.