Comparative study of morphological parameters of Grand Nain banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> AAA) after <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> multiplication with growth retardants

Variation in morphological traits and increased disease susceptibility were observed in micropropagated plants of rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L.), PC49. Our investigations have demonstrated that micropropagated plants can vary substantially in morphological traits and the variation of quantitative traits was substantially greater than conventionally propagated plants. Micropropagated plants produced significantly more leaves than conventional plants under the same growth period, with a more bushy growth habit and/or recumbence. A higher incidence of disease (petiole spotting) was also observed in micropropagated plants. It is concluded that micropropagated PC49 had substantially higher incidence of somaclonal variation and regenerants were not suitable to establish an economic crop comparable to the conventional plants.