Effects of surface sterilization agents under in vitro culture of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) variety “Udhayam”

Effect of two different surface sterilization agents i.e. mercuric chloride and ethanol were tested on the contamination-free establishment of banana cv. Udhayam under in vitro conditions. All the sterilization agents performed better results when used individually for different time intervals. Minimum contamination percentage of explants after 10 days (31.33%) was noted under HgCl2 0.1 per cent treating for a period of 8min while; the maximum (73.25%) was noted under the treatment of HgCl2 0.1 per cent for a period of 2min. followed by 58.13 and 42.28 per cent with the duration of 4 and 6min. A critical observation was recorded as the maximum survival percentage of explants after 25 days (84.74%) was noted under the treatment of HgCl2 0.1 per cent for a period of 2min. followed by 74.26 and 53.18 per cent with the duration of 4 and 6min.; while the minimum (37.69%) was noted under HgCl2 0.1 per cent treating for a period of 8min. The combination of 0.1 per cent HgCl2 with 70 per cent ethanol was also found effective for sterilization of banana explants. Best results with lower contamination 0.1 per cent with HgCl2 for a period of 8 min but higher explant survival per cent was observed with ethanol 70 per cent for a period of 2 min. The present study concludes that the use of 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride and 70 per cent ethanol individually for different time intervals was found to be best to generate contamination-free plants in banana cv. Udhayam with higher explant survival percentage i.e. 84.74 and 85.04 per cent respectively.