Upgrading inferior plantain propagation material through dry-season nursery

Abstract

Ordinarily inferior propagules (peepers) of plantain ( Musa AAB cultivars) were selected in the field during the dry season. Some peepers were left on the parent plant and others were grown either in a ground nursery or in a “polybag” nursery, and their growth observed. After 1–5 months, the plantlets were transplanted into the field and their growth compared with that of late sword suckers. Polybag nursery growing converted peepers of ordinarily poor quality into excellent propagation material. The implications of nursery growing in increasing the quantity of available good plantain propagation material are discussed.