The Establishment of Seed Germination Methods for Five Accessions of Wild Bananas (Musa acuminata)

Sukartini; Mertya  Anugrah; Abdul  Qadir; Eny  Widajati; Farzana Rahman

Authors

Sukartini National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1969-5442
Mertya Anugrah Program study of Seed Science and Technology, IPB. Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5411-4386
Abdul Qadir Departement of Agronomy and Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture, IPB. Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Author
Eny Widajati Departement of Agronomy and Horticulture Faculty of Agriculture, IPB. Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3586-6395
Farzana Rahman Departement of Agriculture BSMRSTU, Bangladesh Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6753-609X

Abstract

Wild bananas are considered one of the best sources for genetic resources as well as variation. These wild varieties are well known for their resistance against adverse climatic conditions and pests and diseases. As fruits are rich in beneficial nutrients, breeders can transfer the desired gene to create new varieties or to protect biodiversity. Despite these attributes the low germination, high diversity of germination, and lack of germination test method were problems for wild banana seed germination. On the other hand, pre-breeding and breeding activities really require wild banana plants as parents or as control plants. This study aimed to observe the first and final count for germination test and to obtain an appropriate germination test method for five accessions of wild banana seeds. Two experiments were used in this study. A completely randomized design was used in the first experiment with five wild banana seed accession). The variable was the percentage of normal seedling observed every day for 60 days. A factorial randomized complete block design with two factors was used in the second experiment. The first factor was wild banana accessions as first experiment. The second factor was the six germination condition treatments which were the combinations of light intensity (50 and 100%) and media humidity (70, 80 and 90%). The results showed that the first count on banana seeds was on the 16^th day and the final count on the 26^th day after planting. The best method (germination rate=70.80–88.80%) for SPN 001 and LNT 001 accession was a combination of full light (100%) with media humidity of 70 – 90%. The best method (germination rate=2.00–42.40%) for Microcarpa, DMS 001, and SGR 001 accessions was a combination of low light (50%) and 90% media humidity.