Effects of Storage & Priming on Seed Emergence in Soil&Embryo Culture of Musa acuminata

Little is known about the factors that affect seed germination in Musa, except that germination is extremely variable and relatively difficult to obtain under natural conditions. This imposes severe limitations on breeding work in Musa. Understanding the germination process will also help in improving germplasm conservation strategies and seed propagation techniques. Seed germination is a critical phase in the reproductive cycle and is of great importance in species fitness and variation while germination rates are an indication of adaptation to ecological conditions. It is these issues that the present work has addressed. This book provides critical insight into why research on breeding in Musa in the last decade has slowed and may offer the needed impetus towards reinvigorating research in this area. Musa breeding programs require improved germination rates and the authors have thrown more light on the factors affecting the germination of Musa acumunata Calcutta 4 (AA genome) seeds and how to improve its germination when planted in soil and in vitro culture technique.