• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.463-474
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• 2024

Bananas (Musa spp.), which serve millions of people worldwide, face a serious threat from Fusarium wilt (FW) disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Developing disease-resistant varieties particularly through breeding is challenging due to banana's seedless nature (parthenocarpic). As an alternative, cold plasma (CP) technology, has the potential to be used for crop improvement. Our study demonstrates a favourable impact of CP on the growth performance of banana (Berangan cultivar, AAA) in terms of height, leaf number and stem diameter. CP-treated plants also displayed delayed disease progression as well as lower disease severity indicated by slightly lower value of leaf symptoms index and rhizome discoloration index compared to the control plants. Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed differential expression of several defence (PR1, WRKY22, PAL, and CEBiP) and growth (Cytochrome P450, NAC68, and CAT) related genes in CP-treated plants, particularly in conjunction with Foc infection. These findings shed light on the potential use of CP in managing FW in banana and offer insights into possible mechanism behind improved traits.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2011

This study describes an efficient protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of two subgroups of genotype AAA bananas (Musa acuminata cv. Pei Chiao and Musa acuminata cv. Gros Michel). Instead of using suspension cells, cauliflower-like bud clumps, also known as multiple bud clumps (MBC), were induced from sucker buds on MS medium containing $N^6$-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Thidiazuron (TDZ), and Paclobutrazol (PP333). Bud slices were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens C58C1 or EHA105 that carry a plasmid containing Arabidopsis root-type ferredoxin gene (Atfd3) and a plant ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) gene, respectively. These two strains showed differences in transformation efficiency. The EHA105 strain was more sensitive in Pei Chiao, 51.3% bud slices were pflp-transformed, and 12.6% slices were Atfd3-transformed. Gros Michel was susceptible to C58C1 and the transformation efficiency is 4.4% for pflp and 13.1% for Atfd3. Additionally, gene integration of the putative pflp was confirmed by Southern blot. Resulting from the pathogen inoculation assay, we found that the pflp transgenic banana exhibited resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4. This protocol is highly advantageous to banana cultivars that have difficulties in setting up suspension cultures for the purpose of quality improvement through genetic transformation. In addition, this protocol would save at least 6 months in obtaining explants for transformation and reduce labor for weekly subculture in embryogenic cell suspension culture systems.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.746-754
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• 2016

This study was conducted to assess the effect of ethylene producing tablet (patent no.10-1574011) and treatment period on quality and storability of banana (AAA - Cavendish group) fruit imported into Korea from the Philippines. Three and five days of treatment periods, and different concentrations of ethylene tablet (50 ppmv, 100 ppmv) and control (standard ethylene gas treatment at a concentration of 100 ppmv) were used for the study. Slightly higher respiration rate was observed in banana fruits treated with 50 ppmv in both 3 and 5 days after treatments as compared to the control. Better storability was observed with banana fruits treated with 50 ppmv and 100 ppmv as compared to the control. All the treatments were shown a decrease in firmness as the storage days proceeded. The highest firmness was recorded from 50 ppmv on the initial day of storage while the lowest was recorded from 100 ppmv on 9 day storage. It was observed that banana fruits could be stored for up to 12 days without losing their color quality in all treatments except for the control. However, the quality of fruits at the control rapidly decreased (lost marketability) after 9 days of storage. Banana fruits treated with ethylene tablet with 100 ppmv for 5 days recorded the highest soluble solids content (SSC) at the beginning of storage period which was similar with the control. However, banana fruits treated with ethylene tablet with 100 ppmv for 3 days showed better storability than the control. On the other hand, ethylene tablet with 50 ppmv for 5 days of treatment has extended banana shelf life without affecting peel color, firmness and SSC content. Hence, these results indicate that banana fruits treated with ethylene tablet with 100 ppmv for 3 days or /and 50 ppmv for 5 days are an optimum for ripening of banana to be used for market and ultimate consumption.