Tissue cultured Banana plants:-

Tissue culture means cloning and micro-propagation of tissues of the selected Elite plants and daughter suckers. The process consists of five important steps: Initiation, Multiplication, Shooting & rooting, Primary Hardening in green houses and Secondary Hardening in shade houses. Strict adherence to aseptic standards and micro-climatic conditions and care during the hardening process alone can ensure success.

Banana is basically a tropical crop, grow well in temperature range of 13⁰c to 18⁰c.

In India the crop is being cultivated in climate ranging from humid tropical to dry mild sub tropics through selection of appropriate varieties like grandnaine.

The normal growth of banana plants begins at 18⁰c, reaches optimum at 27⁰c, then declines and comes to a halt at 38⁰c.

Higher temperature causes sun scorching.

Soil for banana plants should have good drainage, adequate fertility and moisture. Soil with Ph between 6.0 – 7.5 are most preferred for banana cultivation.

Avoided soil of low laying areas, very sandy and heavy black cotton with ill drainage.

WHY TISSUE CULTURE:-
Suckers generally may be infected with some pathogens and nematodes.

Similarly due to the variation in age and size of sucker the crop is not uniform, harvesting iis prolonged and management becomes difficult. Therefore tissue culture plants are recommended for planting.

They are healthy, disease free, uniform and authentic.

New varieties can be introduced and multiplied in a short duration.

Banana is a short term crop so it provides immense opportunity to produce plants throughout the year.

Tissue culture means cloning and micro-propagation of tissues of the selected Elite plants and daughter suckers. The process consists of five important steps: Initiation, Multiplication, Shooting & rooting, Primary Hardening in green houses and Secondary Hardening in shade houses. Strict adherence to aseptic standards and micro-climatic conditions and care during the hardening process alone can ensure success.