Abstract

Triazole fungicide triadimefon (bayletone) is a broad systemic fungicide used in agriculture as screening agent. Triadimefon interferes with plant sterol biosynthesis leading to a changeable sterol profile, consequently morphological and cytological abnormalities. Its effect on banana cultivars was studied using shoot-tip cultures placed on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with 5 mg/L of 6-ben­zylaminopurine (BAP). The growth and proliferation of triadimefon treated shoot-tip cultures of the three-dessert banana cultivars (Hindi, Basrai and Williams) were affected compared to the control. The optimum culture conditions for root formation were obtained in the case of sub-culturing. The excised shoot cultures into Murashige and Skoog solid medium were supplemented with 1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The efficiency of root system formation decreased as fungicide concentration increased. Many variations were observed among chlorophyll, carotenoids and protein contents of triadimifon (50 mg/L) treated cultures and untreated ones. High decrease was observed among the usual sterol content of triadimifon (50 mg/L) treated shoot buds compared to the control.

Key words: Banana, cultivars, fungicides, proliferation, shoot-tips, sterol biosynthesis, triadimefon, triazoles.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: BAP, 6-Benzylaminopurine; DMIs, sterol demethylation inhibitors; EtOH, ethanol; GLC, gas-liquid chromatography; IBA, indole-3-butyric acid; MS, Murashige and Skoog.