USE OF Allium sativum AS STERILIZING AGENT IN BANANA TISSUE CULTURE

The present study was conducted at Banana Tissue Culture lab of Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha to study and use garlic (Allium sativum) as a surface disinfectant for explants in banana tissue culture. The antimicrobial effects of garlic (Allium sativum) against pathogenic microorganisms have been well documented. It is generally stated that garlic exhibits differential inhibition between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Two most widely cultivated Musa variety of Odisha Gaja Bantal (plantain) and G9 (banana) were used in this research work. Out of various experiments the explants of Gaja Bantal and G9 treated with 7.5 % garlic extract for 30 minute was found to be best from preventing bacterial and fungal contaminations.