The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of different sources of silicon during the in vitro rooting phase of 'Maçã' banana tree by means of physiological, phytotechnical and ultrastructural analysis. It was used propagules already established in vitro which were inoculated in MURASHIGE & SKOOG (MS) medium, added of 30g L-1 of sucrose, 1mg L-1 of NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) and solidified with 1.8g L-1 of PhytagelTM. It was tested three sources of silicate added to MS medium, sodium silicate, potassium silicate and calcium silicate, at a dose of 1g L-1 and MS medium without silicate as a witness. The experimental design was completely randomized with fifteen replicates. The propagules were kept for 45 days in a growth room under controlled conditions. There was an increase in levels of chlorophyll a, b and total in the presence of calcium silicate. Supplementation of culture medium with sodium silicate promoted increase in length, fresh and dry weight of shoots. The silicon provides adequate seedling development.
Musa spp.; tissue culture; silicate
