In vitro propagation for Musa balbisiana Colla cv. Abu Nipah Using Temporary Immersion Bioreactor Systems

Abstract

The expansion of banana production, especially cv. Abu Nipah is limited due to shortage of quality planting materials available to the farmers. The present study aimed to develop an efficient in vitro micropropagation protocol for Musa balbisiana cv. Abu Nipah by evaluating the effects of different culture systems and media compositions. Three culture systems: 1. solid medium, 2. liquid shake flask, and 3. temporary immersion bioreactor system (RITA®) were compared using two basal media types: Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg B5, each supplemented with 5 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA. The RITA® system combined with MS medium exhibited the most significant improvements in shoot proliferation and plantlet growth, producing the highest number of shoots (5.93 per explant), greatest plant height (8.63 cm), longest shoot length (3.80 cm), and maximum number of leaves (4.27) after four weeks of culture. Compared to conventional culture methods, the RITA® system enhanced nutrient uptake and aeration while reducing physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity. These findings confirm the superiority of temporary immersion systems in banana tissue culture and support the establishment of a high-efficiency propagation platform for Musa balbisiana. The optimized protocol offers a practical solution for large-scale plant production and conservation of this important cultivar. It can be concluded that this protocol can be used to mass propagate Musa balbisiana cv. Abu Nipah.

Keywords : Musa bablbisiana cv. Abu Nipah, in vitro propagation, Plant Growth Regulator, Temporary Immersion Bioreactor