Impact of polyethylene glycol-induced water stress on growth and development of shoot tip cultures from different banana (Musa spp.) cultivars
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Minufiya University, Egypt, Department of Plant Physiology, Bayreuth University, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2006.v08i01.13
Key words: Banana (Musa spp. L.), medium (solid/liquid), micropropagation, osmotic stress, polyethylene glycol (PEG), proline, sugars
Abstract: Shoot tip explants of the Egyptian banana cultivars Maghraby, Valery, Grand Nain and Hindy were tested for their tolerance to water stress. Shoot survival, shoot growth and root growth stimulation in presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was strongest in cultivar Hindy followed by Grand Nain, Maghraby and Valery. The accumulation of soluble sugars and proline in shoots was positively correlated with the applied polyethylene glycol concentration, while the reverse was true for N, P and K content. The cultivar Hindy exhibited higher metabolite accumulation response and cultivar Maghraby the least. The effects were most clear on liquid medium whereas solid (agar) medium exerted some additional effects increasing the osmotic stress at low PEG concentrations and alleviating the PEG effect at high PEG concentrations. In conclusion, the cultivar Hindy appeared to be the most tolerant to water stress because of strong accumulation of compatible solutes and greater stimulation of root development.
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