Identification and characterisation of dwarf off-types from micropropagated Cavendish bananas

Abstract

Dwarf off-types are the most common off-type encountered in micropropagated Cavendish bananas, easily accounting for over 75% of the micropropagation-induced variation. They can not be detected reliably in vitro on the basis of morphological characteristics, but recent work with biochemical and molecular detection methods offers new scope for their early identification. The results of these studies are reviewed. The identification and characterisation of dwarf off-types not only provides a method for their detection and removal during commercial micropropagation, but also provides a tool in which the factors causing micropropagation-induced variation can be identified and controlled.