Re: high temperature banana growing habits
The likelyhood of a mutation occuring during asexual reproduction is pretty slim. I was thinking though that if a young plant (ie tissue culture) was exposed to mutagens (ie radiation), there would be a higher chance of mutations occuring. The cells in the apical meristem would need to be targeted. The chances of a mutation occuring that increases the heat/arid tolerance is pretty unlikely though. Probably not worth the effort.
A faster easier better way of doing this. Breed two plants that can create viable seeds. (ie two diploids). Sprout the seeds and select the ones that do best in the arid conditions. Raise those plants and continue sexual reproduction. Repeat over and over and hope for some good mutations. This would work no doubt, but it could take hundreds or thousands of generations.
The quickest way is genetic engineering. Find desired genes and splice them into the desired plant. This won't be happening without a lot of money.
The easiest way to find a banana that does well in Vegas....
build a greenhouse ;p
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Adam
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