The objective of this study was to evaluate the process of in vitro rooting of micropropagated seedlings of 'Nanicão Jangada' (AAA), 'Nanicão Grande Naine' (AAA) and 'Maçã' (AAB) banana cultivars (Musa sp.) using semi-solid and liquid media. Plantlets originated from micropropagated meristems removed from seedlings collected in banana trade in the Médio Paranapanema region, State of São Paulo were used. Two treatments were tested: liquid medium without the addition of jelling agent and a semi-solid medium with 7 g L-1 agar. The statistical design was completely randomized, each treatment was set for 30 flasks containing 6 seedlings per flask. After 30 days, the seedlings were removed from flask, and the following parameters were assessed: length of the longest root, the total number of roots, the total number of leaves and plant height. Fifty seedlings were evaluated per treatment. The results demonstrate that the 3 cultivars evaluated showed better root development in semi-solid medium, however, the number of roots was higher in liquid medium, mostly for 'Maçã' cultivar. The total number of leaves per seedling was higher, generally in semi-solid medium, while plant height was higher in liquid medium. The 'Maçã' cultivar presented the largest differences between the semi-solid and liquid media in all parameters evaluated.
Micropropagation; cultivars; root system
