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.