Genetic resistance among banana somaclones derived from the Grand Naine cultivar (Cavendish, AAA) to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, subtropical race 4.

Banana production is affected by several pests and diseases, of which Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is notable. Despite the different control measures and management used to contain Fusarium wilt, the development of resistant cultivars has been the best approach to combating this disease. Therefore, this work uses biotechnology aimed to induce somaclonal variation using thidiazuron (TDZ) and Paclobutrazol® (PBZ) growth regulators banana cultivar ‘Grand Naine’ (Cavendish, AAA), and to identify somaclonal variants resistant to Fusarium wilt of the subtropical race 4 (ST4). Stem apices were cultured in vitro using medium MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L ^− 1 PBZ and 1 mg L ^− 1 TDZ. After a series of ten subcultures, the regenerated plants were planted in water tanks containing soil infested with the Foc in a greenhouse. At 90 days after inoculation, plants were evaluated for pathogen resistance using longitudinal sections near the rhizome as well as for symptoms using a graded scale. Thirteen somaclones of the cultivar ‘Grand Naine’ were selected as resistant to Foc. The resistant somaclones will be evaluated for agronomic and market potential, as well as for the validation of resistance stability, with the purpose of being recommended for farmers and future improvement studies.