Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis of Musa AAA cv. Grande Naine

Embryogenic cell suspensions (ECS) of 'Grande Naine' (Musa AAA group) were plated on RD1 or M3 medium for the regeneration of somatic embryos, 1 to 2 weeks after last subculture. The first regenerable somatic embryos were observed about 3 weeks after inoculation. After 8 weeks of culture, the mass of the embryogenic mass increased about 5 to 18 times and the number of somatic embryos that could be regenerated from 1 mL settled cell volume (SCV) of ECS ranged between 0.71×10~5 and 3.07×10~5, depending on pre-culture time in liquid medium before regeneration, regeneration media and incubation conditions (light/dark). The frequency of plant recovery and the amount of plantlets regenerated from 1 mL SCV of ECS were indirectly affected by somatic embryos regeneration conditions that were studied.