Activated Carbon and dark conditions in banana micropropagation Variety Nanicão

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of activated charcoal and the initial darkness conditions in the propagation in vitro of banana (Musa spp.) variety Nanicão. Were employed 64 apexes coming from shoots of approximately 20 to 30 cm. The treatments consisted in the combination of two concentrations of activated charcoal (2 and 3 g/l) and two initial dark conditions (15 and 30 days). The experimental design went completely randomized with 2 x 2 factorial arrangement and four replications. Each experimental unit consisted of four apexes. Statistical analysis consisted ANOVA with significance level of 5 %. The variables were the average rate of multiplication, survival percentage, oxidation, contamination and acclimatization of plantlets. Means were compared by Tukey test at 5 % of probability. The results showed significant difference in the interaction between the concentration of 2 g/l of activated charcoal and 15 days of initial darkness at the survival percentage from the first subculture which reached 57.30 %. In the establishment phase the percentage of contamination of the apexes was 39.06 % while that in the first subculture was 22.39 %. The oxidation in the establishment phase was 9.37 % and in the first subculture was 8.85 %. It is concluded the interaction between the concentration of 2 g/l of activated charcoal and 15 days of initial incubation period is effective in increasing survival.Key words: Musa spp; banana; survival; in vitro multiplication.