Three newly selected superior banana types were used to study the effects of different cytokinin and auxins on shoot multiplication and rooting. Benzylaminopurine [(BAP) (5, 10, 20 and 30 µM)] and thidiazuron [(TDZ) (0.4, 1, 2 and 3 µM)] were tested alone and with 1 µM indoleacetic acid (IAA) for the propagation stage. We compared basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, active charcoal (5 g l-1), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for rooting. Shoot proliferation and elongation were significantly greater with TDZ than with BAP all 3 types. Furthermore, each cytokinin with IAA increased shoot proliferation and elongation more than their use alone. BAP below 20 µM or TDZ below 1 µM did not increase shoot proliferation, and BAP over 20 µM and TDZ over 2 µM suppressed shoot elongation. Charcoal alone was better for rooting than auxin treatments or MS medium alone. In conclusion, supplementation of 2 µM TDZ, and 1 µM IAA or 20 µM BAP and 1 µM IAA on MS medium, followed 5 g l-1 charcoal at the rooting stage were the best combinations for the in vitro propagation of banana types.

Three newly selected superior banana types were used to study the effects of different cytokinin and auxins on shoot multiplication and rooting. Benzylaminopurine [(BAP) (5, 10, 20 and 30 µM)] and thidiazuron [(TDZ) (0.4, 1, 2 and 3 µM)] were tested alone and with 1 µM indoleacetic acid (IAA) for the propagation stage. We compared basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, active charcoal (5 g l-1), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for rooting. Shoot proliferation and elongation were significantly greater with TDZ than with BAP all 3 types. Furthermore, each cytokinin with IAA increased shoot proliferation and elongation more than their use alone. BAP below 20 µM or TDZ below 1 µM did not increase shoot proliferation, and BAP over 20 µM and TDZ over 2 µM suppressed shoot elongation. Charcoal alone was better for rooting than auxin treatments or MS medium alone. In conclusion, supplementation of 2 µM TDZ, and 1 µM IAA or 20 µM BAP and 1 µM IAA on MS medium, followed 5 g l-1 charcoal at the rooting stage were the best combinations for the in vitro propagation of banana types.