High production costs generally limit the commercial use of the in vitro micropropagation. The use of liquid media is considered to be the ideal solution for the automation and the production costs reduction. However, depending on the variety, this process can show different levels of difficulty and adaptations in protocols are needed. In this study experiments on cell differentiation and plant regeneration were carried out from banana cell suspension culture, by evaluating the initial cell density, the culture media and the temporary immersion systems. A sequence of three experiments was performed: the first one evaluated the effects of cell density (0.5; 1 and 2), culture media (M1: 1/2MS, 100 g.L-1 ascorbic acid, 100 mg.L-1 L-proline, 30 g.L-1 sucrose and 10 µM 2iP; M2: MS, 30 g.L-1 sucrose, 2,2 µM BA and 11,4 µM IAA) and the period of cells differentiation (40 and 130 days). The second one analyzed the effect of propagules size differentiated in liquid media (approx. 2.5; 5 and 10 mm diameter) on somatic embryo formation or plant regeneration. Finally, a third experiment analyzed the effects of culture systems with filter-paper-covered medium and temporary immersion systems, on propagules differentiation or plant regeneration. The results showed that no differences were found between both differentiation media, and the better cells densities for differentiation were 1 ml and 2 mL/30 mL medium, whereas dilutions of 2 mL/30 mL medium increased cell oxidation. Extending the period in the differentiation medium from 40 to 130 days was important to produce a higher number of uniform embryogenic propagules with 10 mm diameter, which can be used in temporary immersion systems (bioreactors) for embryo and plant regeneration. Considering all the regeneration systems, the semi-solid regeneration medium covered by filter-paper significantly increased the somatic embryo differentiation and plants regeneration.
Musa spp.; cell culture; cellular dilution; somatic embryogenesis; micropropagation
