EMBRYOGENIC-CELL SUSPENSIONS FROM THE MALE FLOWER OF MUSA AAA CV GRAND NAIN

There are very few reports on the establishment of long-term embryogen ic cell cultures of banana, especially of triploid cultivars of commer cial interest. Embryogenic cell suspensions were prepared using the cu ltivar Grand nain, the most widely grown dessert banana in the world. After culture for 5 or 6 months of immature male flower-buds adjacent to the floral apex, yellow, compact calluses and white, friable embryo genic tissues were induced. Suspension cultures were initiated from em bryogenic tissues placed in liquid medium. The packed cell volume (PCV ) of the suspensions increased 2- to 5- fold with each monthly culture cycle. Plating of the embryogenic suspensions resulted in approximate ly 370X10(3) embryos per ml of PCV. Depending on the size of embryos, 3 to 20% germination was observed. A histological survey of cell suspe nsions and embryo development was carried out. Cellular aggregates wit h cells displaying typical embryogenic features were formed. Most of t he somatic embryos were probably of unicellular origin.