A systematic comparison of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells of banana (Musa spp. AAA): Ultrastructural, biochemical and cell wall component analyses

This study revealed that cell walls of ECs are rich in fucosylated xyloglucan and in AGP epitopes labeled by JIM16, MAC204 and MAC207 antibodies, indicating that these cell wall components together with higher levels of auxin, abscisic acid and zeatin riboside are contributing to the embryogenic competence of banana. In contrast, NECs showed more abundant non-fucosylated and non-XXXG xyloglucans in their cell walls, and higher level of gibberellic acid. This study provides new and useful information about hormonal and cell wall regulation of banana embryogenic competence which contributes to better understanding of this process, and might lead to practical applications in the near future.