Micropropagation of Gapi Banana (Musa sp.) using Aloe vera Gel Juice and Vigna radiata Sprout Extract as Natural Plant Growth Regulators Sources

The most essential factor in the micropropagation of Gapi banana plants is the induction of initial growth. The initial growth induction of cultures usually uses the growth regulators cytokinin and auxin or a combination of both, and can also utilize natural materials, such as Aloe vera and Vigna radiata, as a potential alternative to synthetic PGRs to induce shoots/callus/somatic embryos. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Aloe vera gel juice and Vigna radiata sprout extract, compared to the control media (MS-0), the BAP, and the combination of BAP with 2,4-D in Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture media in the micropropagation of Gapi banana.

The study was conducted as a laboratory experiment using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with Aloe vera gel juice (MS-LB) 10, 15, 20, and 25% (v/v), Vigna radiata sprout extract (MS-ET) 10, 15, 20, and 25% (v/v), and compared with control media MS-0, MS-BAP 1 mg L^-1, and a combination of MS-BAP 1 mg L^-1 with 2,4-D (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg L^-1). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square (χ²) test to determine differences among treatments.

The results were that the explants could grow to form the best shoots on 20% MS-LB medium and 10% MS-ET in the second month, and 1 mg L^-1 MS-BAP medium formed several shoots in the third month. Adding a combination of 1 mg L^-1 BAP + 2,4-D of 0.1 and 0.3 mg L^-1 in MS media produced a compact callus. High concentrations of MS-LB medium (25%), 15 and 25% MS-ET media, and a combination of 1 mg L^-1 MS-BAP + 0.5 mg L^-1 2,4-D medium did not support explant growth because the inoculant remained blackened and did not develop.

The findings of this study suggest that Aloe vera gel juice and Vigna radiata sprout extract can be considered as promising natural alternatives to synthetic plant growth regulators in banana micropropagation. This approach highlights the potential of eco-friendly and cost-effective culture media supplements to support sustainable plant tissue culture practices.

MS media added Aloe vera gel juice (MS-LB 20%, v/v) and Vigna radiata sprout extract (MS-ET 10%, v/v) were most effective in inducing shoot growth in the second month after inoculation, faster than 1 mg L^-1 BAP treatment medium, which succeeded in forming shoots in the third month. The combination of BAP 1 mg L^-1 + 2,4-D 0.1 and 0.3 mg L^-1 created a compact callus from the first month. On the other hand, high concentrations of 25% (v/v) MS-LB, 15 and 25% (v/v) MS-ET medium, and the combination medium of 1 mg L^-1 BAP with 0.5 mg L^-1 2,4-D did not support explant growth because the explant remained blackened and did not develop.