Simulating stress condition through compaction in banana plant cultivated in vitro

Abstract

Banana cultivation is an agricultural activity practiced in different regions and constantly subjected to abiotic stresses that limit its productivity. To treat the effect of these stresses research can be undertake by simulating them in vitro since it limit the effect of the external factor in the experiment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to simulate the compaction in banana plant cultivated in vitro using Phytagel. To realize the experiment, we used MS culture medium with two distinct consistency added in the testing tubes. In the bottom part was added 10 mL of culture medium with consistency of jellification: 1.8, 2.8, 3.8, 4.8 and 5.8 g L-1 of Phytagel. Over this culture medium was added 5mL of half MS with consistency standard 1.8 g L-1 of Phytagel. Posteriorly, the planting materials from cultivar Grand Naine, BRS Vitória and BRS Princesa were inoculated in the growth medium. After 30 days of culture the plant materials were submitted for agronomic and physiological evaluation. The result showed non-significant difference among the compaction factors on physiological parameters however variety Grand Naine presents better performance in this character. Besides variety Grand Naine increased the rate of photosynthesis under compaction. This behaviour probably occurred due to overcoming the effect of stress by the variety. Therefore, it can be concluded that the cultivar Grand Naine is superior to cultivars BRS Vitória and BRS Princesa since it produces superior performance on rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration under simulated compaction conditions that favor the accumulation of plant biomass.