Development of new technologies for the multiplication of bananas in high volume bioreactors

• Grant number: 02/02168-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2003
• End date: July 31, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Clemência Noriega Söndahl
• Grantee: Clemência Noriega Söndahl
• Company: Bionova Mudas e Plantas Ltda
• City: Ribeirão Preto

Abstract

Brazil is a large producer of bananas, however the cultivation of the fruit is still practiced in the traditional manner, using few higher quality in vitro seedlings. The main objective of this project is to develop a more efficient method of banana micro-propagation and, in this way, make viable the availability of healthy seedlings for new plantings, at lower costs. Seedlings multiplied in vitro produce 30 per cent more than conventional ones due to their better origin (selected plants) and their healthiness (being free from systemic diseases). Another of this study’s objectives is to evaluate the performance in the field of banana seedlings produced in bioreactor, of seedlings produced in solid medium and of seedlings produced by conventional ex vitro method. It is hoped in this way to demonstrate the advantages and viability of a more efficient and cheaper multiplication of healthy banana seedlings. Productivity and cost of production figures will be collected for the three types of seedling being tested. The cost of manpower is responsible for 60 to 70 per cent of the final cost of in vitro seedlings. (AU)