RELEVANT CONDITIONS FOR MICROPROPAGATION BY DIRECT ORGANOGENESIS IN TRIPLOID VARIETIES (AAB) OF PLANTAIN EXPLANTS (MUSA SPP.)

Banana is the most cultivated crop in Colombia. It is the most important crop with respect to food security in addition to forming part of the group of Colombian food staples. In a worldwide context, Colombia ranks fifth in banana production even though in 2018 and 2019, Colombia registered drops in planted areas and production, respectively, due to adverse weather conditions. Plantain crops are currently being affected by the vascular disease called Moko, caused by the Ralstoniasolanacearum bacterium, which leads to a significant reduction in the cultivated area and for which there is no effective type of control. The main source of infection in disease-free areas is the propagule so that in vitro propagation turns out to be a viable and feasible alternative for producing certified quality plantain seeds. This manuscript presents the main problems encountered in the micropropagation of AAB triploid bananas by in vitro culture, factors that influence direct organogenesis, and alternative solutions to different conditions that can affect the process. This review will serve as a starting point for establishing reliable propagation protocols for different varieties of plantain in Colombia.