Screening of in-vitro derived mutants of banana against nematodes using bio-chemical assays

摘要

Musa production is threatened by pest and disease pressure, which has been increasing during the past 20 years. Most alarming has been the spread of more virulent types of nematodes like Burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis), Root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp), Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) apart from the serious threat by diseases like, Banana bunchy top disease, Sigatoka leaf spots (Mycosphaerella sp) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense). Crop losses caused by nematodes are very high, with 20% annual yield losses worldwide (15). The existing practice of chemical control of nematodes leaves lot of residues causing much threat to the environment. Hence, there is a need to develop commercially acceptable types of banana with resistance /tolerance to this biotic stresses. In response to these production constraints, efforts aimed at the genetic improvement of Musa have gained renewed interest, to generate resistant cultivars. Classical breeding consisting of recombination and selection is difficult for banana. Polyploidy and sterility are both serious handicaps in the genetic improvement of Musa cultivars. An alternative procedure to synthesis nematode resistant cultivars would be to induce mutants under in-vitroconditions as vegetatively propagated crops like banana are usually heterozygous and the genetic nature of Musa is suitable for the application of mutation breeding.