From “An innovative hardening technology for micro propagated banana plantlets for medium size tissue culture industries” by Sharma, Mishra, Rajan, Damodaran and Trivedi (Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2025).
The study evaluates polypropylene (PP) bags as an alternative to conventional pro‑trays for the primary hardening of micropropagated banana plantlets. The authors report that PP bags create a more stable and humid microenvironment, reducing transplant stress and lowering mortality from 5–8% to 2–3%. Improved moisture retention and reduced nutrient loss during misting are identified as key factors supporting acclimatization.
Plantlets hardened in PP bags showed enhanced growth performance, including greater height, larger leaf area, thicker shoot girth, and more developed root systems. These improvements reflect better physiological adjustment during the transition from in vitro to ex vitro conditions, leading to sturdier plants with higher field‑establishment potential.
Economically, PP bags reduced total production costs by 22.72%, mainly due to lower energy requirements and more efficient transportation. Their flexibility, durability, and reusability also contribute to reduced plastic waste and lower carbon footprint compared with rigid pro‑trays.
Overall, the authors conclude that PP bags offer a more efficient, cost‑effective, and environmentally sustainable hardening technology for medium‑scale tissue culture industries, with potential applicability to other micropropagated crops.