Banana Clones Research Articles

DEĞİŞİK TAVUK VE ÇİFTLİK GÜBRESİ DÜZEYLERİNİN DWARF CAVENDİSH MUZ KLONUNDA VERİM VE KALİTE ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ

In this research, the effects of different poultry and farmyard manure applications, on the yield and some quality features of Dwarf Cavendish banana clone were investigated. The poultry manure 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 kg; 15 and 20 kg per plant the farmyard manure were used. The experimental results showed that using more than 8 kg poultry manure per plant was found to have negative effect on yield and other features. There were not any significant differences among the examined features in farmyard manure applications. While 6 kg poultry manure/plant application had much more positive effect on number of hand fingers and bunch weight, 8 kg poultry manure/plant application gave higher finger number, diameter and length when compared the other treatment. As a result, it was determined that 6 kg/plant poultry manure and 15 kg/plant farmyard manure levels along with chemical fertilizer gave the best results in terms of yield and other quality features in Dwarf Cavendish banana clone.

Genetic characterization of banana clones grown in Turkey based on nuclear DNA content and SRAP markers

This study was conducted to investigate the genetic relationships among banana clones grown in Turkey based on their nuclear DNA contents and SRAP markers. Four banana clones including 'Dwarf Cavendish', 'Grand Nain', 'Azman' and local 'Erdemli' were used as plant material. Nuclear DNA content of the banana cultivars estimated by flow cytometer and varied between 1.766 pg ('Erdemli') and 2.028 pg ('Grand Nain'). 'Azman' and 'Dwarf Cavendish' was similar nuclear DNA content. Genetic similarities of 4 banana clones were between 0.63-0.91 based on SRAP molecular marker. The local 'Erdemli' banana clone was the most distinct from the others. In conclusion, there is a high level of genetic variation among the banana clones grown in Turkey and the local clone 'Erdemli' is the most distinct one. This study showed that nuclear DNA content analysis together with molecular markers can be useful to assess the relationships among banana clones.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity in 21 Genotypes of Indian Banana Using RAPDs and IRAPs Markers

Table top banana (AAA) and cooking type plantines (BBB/ABB) are cultivated commercially for high yield and lucrative market value. Morphological similarities among the banana clones make identification difficult under field conditions. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP), were used to characterize genetic variations among 21 banana germplasm. IRAP primers were designed to determine ‘AA’ and ‘BB’ specific markers on the basis of repetitive and genome-wide dispersed long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. RAPD markers successfully detected genetic variation between genotypes. IRAP markers amplified either by a single primer or a combination of primers, based on LTR orientation, successfully amplified different retrotransposons dispersed in the Musa genome. The average level of polymorphism exhibited by RAPD and IRAP markers were 71.47 % and 81.3 % respectively that suggests substantial genetic variations among the tested varieties. All the 12 table-top varieties were clustered together while four cooking varieties i.e. Bantala-I, Bantala-II, Dakhkhnisagar and Athiakol with ‘BB’ formed a distinct group. These results suggested that IRAP markers were found more robust than RAPD markers to study the intra-group genetic diversity between table top and cooking banana.

Evaluation of Genetic Variation in Local and Introduced Desert Banana (<i>Musa</i> sp.) Genotypes for Morpho-physicochemical Traits

Knowledge of nature and magnitude of variation existing in available plant breeding materials is of great importance for successful selection of varieties for yield and other desirable traits. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variation among 4 local and 11 introduced desert banana (Musa sp.) genotypes. The genotypes were planted at Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia in randomized complete block design with five replications. Genetic variability components analyses were conducted considering 20 morpho-physicochemical traits. The results showed the presence of significant differences among genotypes for all traits. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations ranged from 8.95 to 52.63% and 7.2 to 48.16%, respectively, with low magnitude of differences and moderate to high for most of the traits. Heritability (H2) and genetic gain (GA) values were ranged from 14.69 to 98 and 7.4 to 81.45%, respectively, and both H2 and GA values were high and moderate for 16 traits. Fruit yield showed strong genotypic and phenotypic correlations with all growth traits and yield components with higher magnitude of genotypic correlation coefficients. Euclidean distance ranged from 2.36 to 7.6 which distinctly grouped genotypes into two clusters and five sub-groups. Moreover, the local clones were more distant each other and with introduced genotypes and performed better than introduced genotypes for most of the traits including fruit yield. The study revealed the presence of genetic variation among local and introduced genotypes and most of the traits were controlled more of by genetic factors. This suggested the importance of exploiting genetic variability of local banana clones as equal to introduction and evaluation of exotic genotypes and the higher chance of increasing fruit yield through indirect selection for growth traits and yield components.

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) symptom expression in banana and strategies for transgenic resistance: A review

Bananas are one among the world’s leading food crops after rice, wheat and maize. Banana cultivation is affected by various diseases. Among them, in globally banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and Fusarium wilt caused by the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense are the most serious diseases. BBTV is an isometric virus with a circular single stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome consisting of at least six components, BBTV DNA-1 to 6. The virus is transmitted by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa). In this review paper, we are discussing the global status of BBTD, symptom expression in both vegetative and reproductive stage, resistant strategy and recent BBTV resistant banana clones development.

Diversidade genética, crescimento e produção de genótipos de bananeira 'Prata-Anã' em área com mal do panamá

No perímetro irrigado do Jaíba, no norte de Minas Gerais, existem relatos sobre a presença de alguns genótipos de banana'Prata-Anã' supostamente tolerantes ao mal-do-panamá, nos quais a doença não se estabeleceu após 15 anos de cultivo, mesmo na presença do patógeno. Portanto, objetivou-se avaliar a diversidade genética, o desempenho agronômico e o comportamento dos clones da bananeira'Prata-Anã' cultivada em área com histórico do mal-do-panamá. Foram coletados vinte e quatro genótipos, 11 caracterizados no momento da coleta como doentes (GEN 1, GEN 2, GEN 3, GEN 4, GEN 5, GEN 6, GEN 7, GEN 8, GEN 9, GEN 10 e GEN 11) e 13 aparentemente sadios (GEN 12, GEN 13, GEN 14, GEN 15, GEN 16, GEN 17, GEN 18, GEN 19, GEN 20, GEN 21, GEN 22, GEN 23 e GEN 24). Estes materiais foram multiplicados em laboratório de cultura de tecidos e levados para plantio na área experimental. Foram avaliados 24 tratamentos (clones de bananeira 'Prata-Anã'), no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, 20 plantas por parcela e as seis centrais consideradas como área útil. Avaliaram-se, além da diversidade genética, comprimento e diâmetro do pseudocaule, número de folhas, massa do cacho, das pencas e do engaço, número de pencas e de frutos, comprimento e perímetro do fruto central da segunda penca, porcentagem de plantas mortas, incidência e severidade do mal-do-panamá. A distância genética média entre os clones foi de 43,5%, variando de 11,8% a 85%. Os indivíduos GEN 12, GEN 13, GEN 19 e GEN 22 apresentam maiores diâmetros do pseudocaule ao nível do solo e a 30 cm, e foram mais altos. Os indivíduos GEN 13, GEN 17 e GEN 19 destacaram-se, nos dois ciclos de produção, como tolerantes ao mal-do-panamá.

Aclimatização de mudas micropropagadas de bananeira em diferentes substratos e recipientes

The objective of present study was to evaluate the effect of substrates and recipients on development of banana seedlings. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design, using three banana cultivars (Prata Anã, Tropical and Grande Naine), two banana clones (Prata Gorutuba and Prata Catarina); three kinds of substrates: A substrate (soil + sand + earthworm humus + shavings) in the proportion 3:1:1:1 (v/v); Bioplant® and Vivatto Slim® commercial substrates; and two kinds of recipients: plastic trays and plastic tubes, in a 5 x 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates and two plants per plot. The following characteristics were evaluated: survival index, growth characteristics, relative chlorophyll content, fresh and dry matter of aerial parts and roots. Except for survival index, with an average of 97% obtained in all treatments, the seedlings acclimatized in plastic trays presented better results for all characteristics studied. The Vivatto Slim® commercial substrate provides the best seedling development during acclimatization phase. The seedlings from tetraploid ‘Tropical’ cv exhibited greater vigor, while the ‘Grande Naine’ seedlings showed less increment after 60 days of acclimatization.

Diversidade genética de clones de bananeira 'Prata-Anã' (AAB) por meio de marcadores SSR

Diversidade genética de 20 clones de 'Prata-Anã Gorutuba', quatro clones de 'Prata-Rio', quatro clones de 'Prata-Catarina' e as cultivares Caipira, Thap Maeo, Tropical, Maçã e Prata-Anã Comum foi avaliada por meio de marcadores moleculares Simple Sequence Repeats. De um total de 19 pares de primers SSRs utilizados, 57,8% deles amplificaram bandas polimórficas e distintas, 26,3% não produziram produtos específicos e 15,7% apresentaram falhas na amplificação de alguns indivíduos. O dendrograma indicou a formação de dois grupos. O primeiro grupo com a cultivar triploide Caipira, genoma exclusivamente A; enquanto o segundo (formado por sete subgrupos) agrupou todas as cultivares resultantes da hibridação natural ou artificial entre Musa acuminata e M. balbisiana, o subgrupo II, Tropical (AAAB) e o subgrupo III, Maçã (AAB). Os subgrupos IV, V, VI e VII foram formados, respectivamente, por: 'Prata-Catarina' clones 1 e 2; 'Prata-Rio' clones 1 e 2; 'Prata-Catarina' clone 3; 'Prata-Gorutuba' clones 12 e 17, 'Prata-Catarina' clone 4, 'Prata-Rio' clone 4, 'Thap Maeo' e 'Prata-Anã'. O subgrupo VIII foi formado exclusivamente pelos clones de' Prata-Anã Gorutuba'. Os resultados indicam a eficiência dos marcadores microssatélites na discriminação e na caracterização dos clones da 'Prata-Anã Gorutuba' da cultivar Prata-Anã.

Diversity and Distribution of the Banana Wilt Pathogen Fusarium oxysporum F. Sp. cubense in China

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes Fusarium wilt, a lethal disease that results in devastating economic losses to banana production worldwide. The pathogen originates from Asia where it evolved with its host, the wild banana plant Musa acuminata. Foc consists of three races, eight lineages and 24 Vegetative Compatibility Groups (VCGs). Most damage is caused by Foc tropical race 4 (TR4), which occurs exclusively in Asia. China is the biggest producer of Cavendish bananas (AAA) in the world, with plantations covering approximately 372.4677×103 hectares constituting up 90% of banana production, with the rest made up of Pisang Awak (ABB) and Dajiao or Plantain (AAB) bananas. In this study, 80 Foc isolates from six production areas were collected from diseased banana cultivars in China. These isolates were all single-spored and characterized to lineage level using five restriction enzymes while VCG identity was determined by generating nit-mutants, and pairing these mutants with a VCG tester set for Foc. To determine the occurrence of Foc TR4 in China, all isolates were screened with a newly developed Foc TR4-specific primer set. All the Foc isolates were also inoculated on Cavendish, Pisang Awak and Dajiao bananas for pathogenicity testing. Our results showed that Foc in China was highly diverse, as five of the eight lineages and 11 of the 24 known VCGs could be determined. The Foc TR4-specific primer set was highly specific for detecting VCG 01213/16, and could be used in diversity studies to rapidly identify this VCG complex. The majority of the isolates from China were identified as Foc TR4 (VCG 01213/16), and this VCG was found in four of the five production areas. Species of Fusarium other than F. oxysporum were non-pathogenic to banana. The selection of Foc-resistant banana clones, and the development of appropriate disease management strategies for Fusarium wilt of banana in China, is urgently required

Aktivitas Peroksidase Mutan Pisang Kepok dengan Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) secara In Vitro 1

The activity of peroxidase were observed in leave of banana clone Kepok resulting by treatments EMS. The phenotype of peroxidase wasanalyzed from the banana clones resulting the induced by EMS and without induction after inoculated with pathogen Banana Blood deasesBacterium (BBD). The objectives of research are know variation of activity and band pattern of peroxidase. Induced mutation treatmentsconsist of control, 0.2% EMS for 1 and 3 hours, 0.5% for 1 and 3 hours, each treatments was provided five banana clones. The result showedthat variant value and coefisien variant of peroxidase activity in leaf tissue of clone treated by EMS increased compare to the control. Avariant control is 0.28 with coefisien variant is 29.92%, while variant value of treatment is 8.45 with coefisien variant is 75.75%.Appearance of peroxidase bands on clone resulting by EMS treatments were emerged four band pattern. The first and control band patternhas relative migration distance is 20 and 30, the second 15, 40 and 60, the third is 15, 35 and 50. There are four bands with different relativemigration distance that indicated polymorphic.

Diversity Studies in Ecotypes of Banana (Musa Spp.) Using Molecular Markers and D2 Analysis

The present study was aimed at analyzing the genetic diversity of promising banana ecotypes grown in Kerala. Twenty eight ecotypes of banana were collected from different parts of Kerala. DNA isolated from these was used for RAPD analysis. Six most-promising primers viz., OPA-01, OPA-03, OPA-13, OPB-04, OPB-10 and OPB-12 were used. These yielded 46 scorable bands with an average of 7.66 bands per primer. RAPD data were analyzed statistically and a dendrogram was constructed. Twenty three characters were observed in the twenty eight banana ecotypes and were statistically analyzed as per the method proposed by Mahalanobis (D2). From RAPD dendrogram, it was found that the banana clones clustered into fourteen groups at a distance of 0.200. At a distance of 0.250, 8 out of 12 Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes formed a single cluster at the same distance. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes PKNNR, Pisang Ceylon, Motta Poovan, Chandra Bale and Palode Palayankodan grouped together and formed a single cluster. Attu Nendran, Monthan, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan, Ilavazha and Vellapalayankodan formed individual clusters and had maximum genetic divergence. Among diploid clones, Ilavazha (BB group) had maximum genetic divergence. Among triploid clones, Attu Nendran, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan and Vellapalayankodan showed maximum genetic divergence. Among Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes, Attu Nendran and Koonoor Ethan revealed maximum genetic divergence. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes, Vellapalayankodan recorded the highest genetic divergence. In D2 analysis too, a similar trend was observed.

Genetic variability in clones of 'Prata Anã' bananas based on phenotypic and molecular markers

The objective of this study was to examine the molecular and phenotypic variability of 'Prata Anã' banana clones cultivated in northern Minas Gerais State. For the phenotypic and molecular characterization, the clones were collected from five properties. The morphological characterization of 20 clones was accomplished through a qualitative evaluation of 74 descriptors. For the molecular evaluations, 45 clones were collected, and 14 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA primers were used. Among the 74 morphological descriptors evaluated in the 20 'Prata Anã' banana tree clones, 53 descriptors presented in the same homogeneous class for all clones. The presence of anthocyanin in the pseudostem (ANT) and the shape (BUS) and flexion (FLX) of the bunch clearly differentiated the 'Prata Anã' banana clones from the commercial cultivar. A total of 176 bands were produced from the molecular analysis using the 14 RAPD primers; there were 116 monomorphic and 60 polymorphic bands, with an average polymorphism percentage of 52.2%. The amplification using the OPP 14 primer resulted in the greatest percentage of polymorphic bands at 88%. The dendrogram indicated that each of the 45 'Prata Anã' clones that were evaluated using RAPD markers clustered with the commercial 'Prata Anã' cultivar.

Assessing the robustness of IRAP and RAPD marker systems to study intra-group diversity among Cavendish (AAA) clones of banana

SummaryBananas belonging to the Cavendish sub-group (AAA) are cultivated commercially for their high yield, short cropping cycle, and high economic returns. The field performance of exotic Cavendish cultivars such as ‘Grand Naine’, ‘Williams’, and ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ is superior due to their sturdy stature, high yield potential, and better bunch quality. However, morphological similarities among the dwarf, medium, tall, and giant types of Cavendish clones make identification difficult under field conditions. Multiplication by tissue culture further aggravates this problem by inducing somaclonal variants. In the present study, ten IRAP (Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism) primer pairs and 30 decamer RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) primers were tested to examine intra-group diversity in Cavendish bananas. The average level of polymorphism exhibited by RAPD markers was 67.8%, and by IRAP markers the level was 81.3%, indicating that there was substantial variation at the DNA level among the 19 accessions tested. All dwarf Cavendish-type cultivars such as ‘Williams’, ‘Dwarf Cavendish’, ‘Singapuri’, ‘Jahaji’, and ‘Manjahaji’ clustered together using IRAP markers. Similarly, all medium-tall types of Cavendish such as ‘Harichal’, ‘Robusta’, ‘Shrimanti’, and ‘Pedda Pacha’, and giant Cavendish types such as ‘Gandevi Selection’, ‘Grand Naine’, and ‘Madhukar’ grouped separately. These results suggest that IRAP markers are more robust than RAPD markers for studying intra-group diversity in the Cavendish sub-group. Furthermore, the use of appropriate primer combinations could enable the development of DNA fingerprints for genetic fidelity testing within Cavendish clones.

THE POTENTIAL OF TISSUE CULTURE BANANA (MUSA SPP.) TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA AND THE ANTICIPATED LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

The use of tissue culture (TC) technology to propagate banana plants gives growers several advantages over the conventional propagation. This technology is an indispensable tool for the facilitation of quick, and en masse, multiplication of adequate planting material of indigenous and exotic banana (Musa spp.) clones and production of disease-free planting material. The technology also rejuvenates the plants resulting in more vigorous growth, higher yields, better quality fruits, earlier fruiting and more uniform crop than those produced by conventional means. Additionally, banana seed corms are bulky and expensive to transport and subject to delay for extended periods for phyto-sanitary inspection. TC plants are relatively inexpensive to ship and easier to be certified by plant inspectors since they are packaged in sterile containers. In spite of these advantages, TC technology remains little known or underexploited in Africa due to a number of constraints. Africa has limited TC facilities and personnel to operate TC laboratories and virus indexing services (TC process does not eliminate viruses), especially in commercial production. A durable system is needed to help the continent to engage in cross-border business of TC banana planting material to enable improved and more sustainable banana production. Using best practices and TC laboratories, workable and practical models for the distribution of TC material within and between African countries face significant challenges. In addition, major constraints persist that prevent farmers from adopting TC banana technology. These include lack of credit for farmers to purchase the planting material and the high inputs required to realize optimum yields, while knowledge on the agronomic practices required for dealing with TC plants remains to be disseminated and documented. Reliability of banana markets is catalytic in promoting production and consumption, which in turn would impact on better sales of TC planting material. Most banana markets in Africa remain rudimentary, resulting in high postharvest losses, reducing farmers' incomes and discouraging them from adopting the technology. The future for the TC adoption in Africa is bleak, unless the constraints highlighted in this paper are addressed.

Componentes de la variabilidad espacial en el manejo por sitio específico en banano

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la variabilidad espacial de la producción de banano en función de variables físicas y químicas del suelo y de las características fisiográficas de la finca, con miras a seleccionar aquellas con mayor potencial de uso en programas de manejo por sitio específico. Se georreferenciaron 130 unidades productivas de banano clon Williams (Cavendish AAA) distribuidas en cuatro lotes de la finca y tres unidades de suelo. Se determinó el peso del racimo y la cantidad de raíz funcional, para cada planta, y 35 variables físicas y químicas del suelo. Se relacionó la variabilidad espacial de la producción en función de las variables del suelo, a partir de cuatro estrategias: ejes coordenados como covariables; variables físicas y químicas del suelo y raíz funcional como covariables; división del análisis por lotes; y división del análisis por unidades de suelo. La división por lotes resultó ser la mejor estrategia para modelar la variabilidad espacial de la producción de banano. El análisis por este modelo permitió establecer grupos de variables del suelo que se relacionaron significativamente y explicaron más del 69% del peso de los racimos de banano dentro de cada lote. Estos grupos de variables son los de mayor potencial para el establecimiento de un programa de manejo por sitio específico.

Sap Phytochemical Compositions of Some Bananas in Thailand

Banana sap has some special properties relating to various phenomena such as browning of fruits after harvesting, permanent staining of cloth and fibers, and antioxidant and antibleeding properties. Analysis of banana sap using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) indicated the presence of phenolic and aromatic amino compounds of interest due to their special properties. With the online positive electrospray ionization mode (ESI), the possible structures of specific compounds were determined from the fragmentation patterns of each particular ion appearing in the mass spectra. The major compounds revealed from the sap of banana accessions, namely, Musa balbisiana , Musa laterita , Musa ornata , and Musa acuminata , and some cultivars were apigenin glycosides, myricetin glycoside, myricetin-3-O-rutinoside, naringenin glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, dopamine, and N-acetylserotonin. The results indicated that there was a variety of phenolic and aromatic amino contents in many banana species. These compounds were reported to relate with biological activities. Moreover, the identities of these phytochemical compositions may be used as markers for banana diet, the assessment of physiochemical status, or the classification of banana clones.

Influence of plant and residue age on attraction, acceptance and larval survival of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Laboratory trials were conducted in Uganda at the Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute to determine attraction, eclosion success and larval survivorship of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) on crop residues of different ages. In the first experiment, studies focused on different types and ages of residues of one susceptible highland banana clone ‘Nabusa’ (genome group AAA-EA). Corms attracted 65% of the test weevils, pseudostems 30%, while 5% were non-respondents. Oviposition levels and the number of eggs per female were higher on young than old corms. Eclosion rates of 30 DAH. To assess immature survival, 30 DAH. Larval duration and mean days taken for adult emergence increased with plant and crop residue age. Females emerging from the different plant and residues treatments were similar in weight. The data suggest that all aged residues are suitable hosts for C. sordidus, suggesting that sanitation practices should be implemented soon after harvest.

Biochemical markers as a useful tool for the early identification of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, race 1 resistance banana clones

Panama disease of banana (Musa spp) caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (FOC), is a serious constraint both to the commercial production of banana and cultivation for subsistence agriculture. Chemical control is not economically effective and is also hazardous to the environment and human health. Breeding for disease resistance is an alternative strategy, which leads to the development of resistance clones. Field evaluation is the most reliable method of screening for disease resistance, but it is demanding in terms of cost, manpower and space requirements. Another approach of screening hybrids at the sucker's stage (planting material) through biochemical markers has been found to be effective in early identification of resistant hybrids. The resistance mechanisms involving the role of phenol, PAL, oxidative enzymes like peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and PR-proteins like chitinase, β-1-3 glucanase were studied and they showed relatively higher activity in resistant hybrids than susceptible hybrids. Isozyme analysis of peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was also carried out in cultivars and hybrids, which revealed the induction of specific isoforms in the resistant hybrids upon challenge inoculation. This could be a useful tool for early identification of F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense resistance banana clones.

NEW APPROACHES TO SELECT CULTIVARS OF BANANA WITH DURABLE RESISTANCE TO MYCOSPHAERELLA LEAF SPOT DISEASES

ISHS III International Symposium on Banana: ISHS-ProMusa Symposium on Recent Advances in Banana Crop Protection for Sustainable Production and Improved Livelihoods NEW APPROACHES TO SELECT CULTIVARS OF BANANA WITH DURABLE RESISTANCE TO MYCOSPHAERELLA LEAF SPOT DISEASES

Banana nectar as a medium for testing pollen viability and germination in Musa

A quick and reliable method for evaluating pollen quality is essential in a breeding program, especially in a crop such as banana that is characterized by high male and female sterility. In this study the germination and viability of banana pollen was evaluated in a sucrose solution and diluted banana nectar. Twenty banana accessions were used to evaluate pollen germination in the two media after 3 and 24 h. Nineteen genotypes (95%) showed significantly higher pollen germination potential (PGP) in diluted nectar than in 3% sucrose solution. The accession TMB2x 8075 - 7 showed no significant pollen germination in nectar and sucrose. Eleven genotypes (55%) showed significant increase in pollen germination by increasing the time of incubation whereas pollen germination for nine genotypes (45%) was not affected by increase in incubation time. Nectar from different banana clones influenced pollen germination suggesting a genotype effect for pollen germination in Musa.