EFFECT OF PHOTOSYNTHETICALLY ACTIVE RADIATION ON THE in vitro INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF BANANA CULTURES

Based on the evidence that the initial development of banana lateral buds in vivo occur in the absence of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), an attempt was made to evaluate this phenomenon under in vitro conditions. Thus, the hypothesis that PAR does not affect the initial development of banana explants in vitro was considered and confirmed. That means that light is not necessary during the first stage of in vitro culture. Reduction in the final cost of micropropagated plantlets is foreseen.