East African Banana Research Articles

Boiling water treatment: A simple, rapid and effective technique for nematode and banana weevil management in banana and plantain ( Musa spp.) planting material

We studied the effect of treating banana and plantain ( Musa spp.) suckers using boiling water for the generation of healthy planting material. Small, medium and large-sized suckers of two East African highland bananas (cvs. Mbwazirume, Kibuzi, AAA-EA) and one of plantain (cv. Agbagba, AAB) were dipped in boiling water for 10, 20 or 30 s after root removal and corm (sucker) paring. Treatments were compared with a conventional farmer method (control), which was not pared or treated with boiling water, and also with pared only. At three months after treatment, germination, plant height and girth of plants were similar within sucker size and between treatments for each cultivar. Root health was improved by boiling water treatment for all cultivars compared to untreated controls. Boiling water treatment of suckers reduced combined nematode densities of Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne spp. to 0.7% of farmer controls. Boiling water-treated suckers had less banana weevil damage than controls. Treatment of pared suckers for at least 20 s and up to 30 s was highly efficient for disinfesting banana and plantain planting material. This modification of the hot water treatment is a practical adaptation, suitable for smallholder growers to improve the quality of banana and plantain planting material in smallholder farms.

&#946-carotene, iron and zinc content in Papua New Guinea and East African highland bananas.

Nutritional disorders due to inadequate intake of vitamin A, iron and zinc in the East African region are unusually high. Interventions to alleviate these deficiencies rely on supplementation and food fortification programs, which are not sustainable and do not reach all the affected. Sustainable solutions to malnutrition can be developed through linking agriculture, nutrition, and health. Promotion of consumption of bananas with enhanced micronutrient content as well as enriching bananas with micronutrients through breeding could go a long way towards preventing micronutrient deficiencies in the region, since bananas are a widely consumed staple. As a starting point in promoting consumption of bananas with enhanced micronutrients and breeding for higher micronutrient content in bananas, banana accessions both local and exotic hybrid Papua New Guinea (PNG) were screened. Pulp color intensity was measured, ß-carotene was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and iron and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. ß-carotene concentrations ranged from 92.3 µg/100g to 2594.0 µg/100g, while iron and zinc concentrations ranged from 0.063 mg/100g to 0.608 mg/100g and 0.00003 mg/100g to 0.598 mg/100g, respectively. Banana pulp color intensity had a significant (P

Expression of sweet pepper Hrap gene in banana enhances resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum

Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, is the most devastating disease of banana in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The pathogen's rapid spread has threatened the livelihood of millions of Africans who rely on banana fruit for food security and income. The disease is very destructive, infecting all banana varieties, including both East African Highland bananas and exotic types of banana. In the absence of natural host plant resistance among banana cultivars, the constitutive expression of the hypersensitivity response-assisting protein (Hrap) gene from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) was evaluated for its ability to confer resistance to BXW. Transgenic lines expressing the Hrap gene under the regulation of the constitutive CaMV35S promoter were generated using embryogenic cell suspensions of two banana cultivars: 'Sukali Ndiizi' and 'Mpologoma'. These lines were characterized by molecular analysis, and were challenged with Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum to analyse the efficacy of the Hrap gene against BXW. The majority of transgenic lines (six of eight) expressing Hrap did not show any symptoms of infection after artificial inoculation of potted plants in the screenhouse, whereas control nontransgenic plants showed severe symptoms resulting in complete wilting. This study demonstrates that the constitutive expression of the sweet pepper Hrap gene in banana results in enhanced resistance to BXW. We describe the development of transgenic banana varieties resistant to BXW, which will boost the arsenal available to fight this epidemic disease and save livelihoods in the Great Lakes region of East and Central Africa.

Optimisation of raw tooke flour, vital gluten and water absorption in tooke/wheat composite bread: Effect of raw tooke flour and vital gluten on wheat flour physicochemical and dough rheological properties (Part I)

Raw Tooke Flour (RTF) is a generic, shelf stable flour from matooke (a cooking banana variety) targeting the baking industry. However, its lack of gluten has hampered development of RTF/wheat composite bread. It is thus necessary to optimize levels of substitution of RTF into wheat flour with vital gluten as a processing aid for improving rheological and baking properties. The specific objective of this study was to determine effect of RTF (0 - 33%) and vital gluten (0 - 3%) on wheat flour pasting and dough rheological properties. The Rapid Visco Analyser was used to measure flour pasting properties while the Farinograph and Extensograph measured dough rheology. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) procedures were used to relate variables to dough rheological properties. RTF significantly increased the pasting profile of wheat flour (by increasing peak, minimum and final viscosities). It weakened the dough (by increasing degree of softening; reducing dough stability and extensibility) while vital gluten strengthened it. Water absorption increased with both variables while dough development time(DDT) was reduced by RTF. Though vital gluten improved dough properties, it did not effectively counteract the negative effects of RTF at the levels applied in the study. Key words: Composite bread, pasting properties, farinograph, extensograph, RSM.

Testing for a suitable culture medium for micropropagation of East african higland bananas

A study was conducted to find a suitable culture medium for micropropagation of East African highland bananas ( Musa spp.). Modified Eriksson (ER), Gamborg’s B-S (B-S) and Murashige-Skoog (MS) media were tested with a roasting cultivar Gonja-Horn plantain (AAB), a dessert Bogoya-Gros Michel (AAA) and three East African highland cooking (AAA) cultivars Kibuzi, Mbwazirume and Namwezi for in vitro proliferation induction. The media were supplemented with 4.5 mg l -1 Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and with or without 0.186 mg l -1 Naphtalene acetic acid (NAA). Only ER and MS gave proliferation. AAB cultivar proliferated significantly more than AAAs which did not differ among themselves. The AAA cultivars showed precocious rooting in the absence and presence of 0.186 mg l -1 NAA on ER and MS media supplemented with 4.5 mg l -1 BAP. However, the presence of auxin NAA significantly lowered shoot proliferation with concomitant significant induction of precocious rooting. This indicated a high level of endogenous auxin in these cultivars and, therefore, the unnecessity of exogenous auxin for their maximum in vitro proliferation. It was also found that ammonical nitrogen content determined the suitability of a culture medium thus making ER an alternative to the MS salts.

Scientific basis for banana <i>cultivar</i> proportions on-farm in East Africa

Banana (Musa spp.) production and diversity in the East African region, has been on the decline for the last 20 years due to both a biotic and biotic problems. There has been an ecological and socio-economic imbalance in the East African Highland banana (Musa AAA-EA) growing systems due to this decline. However, farmers have been growing these bananas in cultivar mixtures, a practice which ensures the continuous sustainability of the system. Cultivar mixtures, however, seem to be in specific proportions based on the strength and weakness of each cultivar and so affecting the clone sets to which cultivars belong, as well as providing predictions on the conservation status of each clone set. The primary objective of the study was to account for the farmers’ perceptions behind cultivar proportions and to understand the scientific basis of these proportions in selected sites in East Africa. The study was carried out in Karagwe, Bushenyi and Masaka districts in East Africa, a region considered to be a secondary centre of diversity for bananas. Thirty farms were sampled in one selected parish/ward in the three sites for ecological data. The quadrat method was used to record abundances of identified cultivars in order to determine the cultivar proportions. Ethno-botanical data collected on traditional knowledge was analysed for twenty-three identified traditional cultivar-selection criteria used in the participatory rural appraisal (PRA), as well as interviews from 15 key informants of each study area. A total of 105 cultivars were identified, 76% of which were the East African Highland bananas. Although fourteen cultivars were common to the three sites, Masaka had the highest proportion with Nfuuka cultivar leading the five clone sets. Cultivar diversity indices explained the proportions in terms of richness and evenness and Nfuuka was the richest clone set. Although all clone sets were represented at each site, they were not evenly distributed; a factor which is disadvantageous in the conservation status of the crop. While results indicated that the agro-ecological and traditional utilisation criteria formed the basis for cultivar proportions on farm for both Karagwe and Masaka, farmers were found to do so because of the high traditional values attached to the crop. However, knowing cultivar proportions in terms of richness and evenness can assist in predicting the stability or change in diversity of banana growing sites.

Relative performance of root and shoot development in enset and East African highland bananas

East African highland bananas and enset belong to the genera Musa and Ensete (Ensete ventricosum), respec-tively. The root, corm and shoot growth of field-established enset and East African highland banana cultivars was assessed. Banana and wild enset plants were assessed in Uganda, while domesticated enset plants were assessed in Ethiopia. Growth traits of the enset and banana mats in Uganda were recorded at flower emergence of the banana plant crop, while enset plants in Ethiopia were assessed at 4 and 5 years after planting. The results obtained in Uganda indicate that enset had a significantly (P

Abiotic constraints override biotic constraints in East African highland banana systems

Banana is the primary food crop in Uganda, but yields are low due to a complex of abiotic and biotic constraints. However, quantitative information on the importance, interactions, and geographic distribution of yields and constraints is scanty. We monitored yields, biotic and abiotic constraints in 159 plots in Central, South and Southwest Uganda in 2006–2007. About half the plots were on-farm demonstrations that received fertilizer (average 71N, 8P, 32 K kg ha −1 year −1) through a development project, the rest were ordinary farmer fields (i.e. controls). Fresh banana yields in controls were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) higher in Southwest (20 t ha −1 year −1) compared with Central (12 t ha −1 year −1) and South (10 t ha −1 year −1). Demonstrations yielded 3–10 t ha −1 year −1 more than controls. Yield losses were calculated using the boundary line approach. In Central, yield losses, expressed as percentage of attainable yield, were mainly attributed to pests (nematodes 10% loss, weevils – 6%) and suboptimal crop management (mulch 25%). In South, poor soil quality (pH – 21%, SOM – 13%, N-total – 13%, and Clay – 11%) and suboptimal crop management (weeds – 20%) were the main constraints. In Southwest, suboptimal crop management (mulch 16%), poor soil quality (K/(Ca + Mg) − 11%) and low rainfall (5%) were the primary constraints. The study revealed that biotic stresses (i.e. pests, weeds) are particularly important in Central, whereas abiotic stresses (i.e. nutrient deficiencies, drought) dominate in South and Southwest. This study concludes that (i) technologies currently available allow farmers to double yields and (ii) past research efforts have mistakenly neglected abiotic constraints.

Mineral fertilizer response and nutrient use efficiencies of East African highland banana ( Musa spp., AAA-EAHB, cv. Kisansa)

Poor yields of East African highland bananas ( Musa spp., AAA-EAHB) on smallholder farms have often been attributed to problems of poor soil fertility. We measured the effects of mineral fertilizers on crop performance at two sites over two to three crop cycles; Kawanda in central Uganda and Ntungamo in southwest Uganda. Fertilizers were applied at rates of 0N–50P–600K, 150N–50P–600K, 400N–0P–600K, 400N–50P–0K, 400N–50P–250K and 400N–50P–600K kg ha −1 yr −1. In addition 60Mg–6Zn–0.5Mo–1B kg ha −1 yr −1 was applied to all treatments, with the exception of the control plots which received no fertilizer. Fresh bunch mass and yield increased with successive cycles. Yield increases above the control ranged from 3.1 to 6.2 kg bunch −1 (average bunch weight for all treatments 11.5 kg bunch −1) and 2.2–11.2 Mg ha −1 yr −1 (average yield for all treatments 15.8 Mg ha −1 yr −1) at Kawanda, compared with 12.4–16.0 kg bunch −1 (average bunch weight for all treatments 14.7 kg bunch −1) and 7.0–29.5 Mg ha −1 yr −1 (average yield for all treatments 17.9 Mg ha −1 yr −1) at Ntungamo. The limiting nutrients at both sites were in the order K > P > N. Potassium, N and P foliar nutrient mass fractions were below previously established Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms, with the smallest K mass fractions observed in the best yielding plots at Ntungamo. Total nutrient uptakes (K > N > P) were higher at Ntungamo as compared with Kawanda, probably due to better soil moisture availability and root exploration of the soil. Average N, P and K conversion efficiencies for two crop cycles at both sites amounted to 49.2 kg finger DM kg −1 N, 587 kg finger DM kg −1 P and 10.8 kg finger DM kg −1 K. Calibration results of the model QUEFTS using data from Ntungamo were reasonable ( R 2 = 0.57, RMSE = 648 kg ha −1). Using the measured soil chemical properties and yield data from an experiment at Mbarara in southwest Uganda, the calibrated QUEFTS model predicted yields well ( R 2 = 0.68, RMSE = 562 kg ha −1). We conclude that banana yields can be increased by use of mineral fertilizers, but fertilizer recovery efficiencies need to improve substantially before promoting wide-scale adoption.

Impact of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi and mulch on the East African Highland banana crop performance in Kibuye, Western Rwanda

AbstractThe effect of nematode root injuries on banana crop yield is very poorly known in higher parts of the East African highlands. This study assessed the impact of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus goodeyi, on growth and yield of three banana cultivars (Musa spp. AAA-EA) in a field experiment involving nematicide and mulch applications at conditions of high altitude (about 1500 m). Plant growth, yield, root damage and nematode population densities were observed over three production cycles. Low to medium levels (≤50%) of root necrosis were associated with improved plant growth, whilst higher root necrosis (>50%) had no effect on plant growth. No significant reduction in bunch weight was associated with high root necrosis in any cycle and any of the three cultivars. Mulch significantly reduced root necrosis and P. goodeyi population densities. Bunch weight significantly increased in all mulched plots irrespective of root necrosis intensity. These results agree with those of earlier surveys in Rwanda that suggested little impact of P. goodeyi on banana yields. However, they challenge general perceptions and previous findings on the negative impact of root lesion nematodes on banana crop performance.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the East African Highland banana cropping systems as related to edapho-climatic conditions and management practices: case study of Rwanda

Root colonization, soil population density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were assessed in 188 banana fields in contrasting soil types across five eco-regions in Rwanda (Butare-Gitarama, Gashonga, Bugarama, Kibungo, Ruhengeri). Root colonization was observed in all banana plants, whatever the soil type, field site and farm. The population density was higher on the wetter (1 300-1 500 mm yr(-1)) volcanic soils (Gashonga 59.8 and Ruhengeri 48.5 propagules 100 g(-1) soil, respectively) as compared to the dryer (900-1200 mm yr(-1)) soils derived from schist and granite (Butare-Gitarama 2.0, Kibungo 8.5, Bugarama 14.7 propagules 100 g(-1) soil). The diversity was highest in Kibungo and lowest in Butare-Gitarama (10 and 2 spore morphotypes, respectively). These results suggested that AM fungi were widespread in banana cropping systems in Rwanda, but that root colonization, population density and diversity varied considerably depending on edapho-climatic conditions (i.e. rainfall, soil texture and P content) and soil management practices (tillage). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the potential of fortified instant matooke flour (ITF) in rehabilitation of malnourished children. Part II: Testing potential of ITF as a vehicle food for malnutrition intervention.

This study was done to establish potential of instant Tooke (cooking banana) flour (ITF) as a vehicle food for malnutrition intervention. Hypotheses generated were: (1) There is a significant difference in response with respect to weight gain between malnourished subjects rehabilitated using fortified IFT and Mwanamugimu Diatery Regime (MDR); (2) There is a significant difference in response with respect to serum albumin, ferritin and retinol levels between fortified ITF and MDR. To test the hypotheses, 100 malnourished children admitted at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit in Uganda, were randomly allocated to a test (IFT diet from part I of study) or control (MDR diet) group. Growth rates and food intake were measured daily, while blood samples were withdrawn during recruitment and before discharge for testing serum albumin, ferritin and retinol levels. Means were compared using SPSS version 11. The test and control diets were adequate in protein but relatively lower for energy against RDA. Protein and energy intake in the test group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for porridge, while protein intake in the control group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for kitoobero. Weight gain in the test was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the control group. However, both groups showed no significant difference in the bio-chemical indicators. The superiority of fortified ITF formulation over the MDR was proved with respect to weight gain but not for the biochemical indicators. Hypothesis one was accepted but two was rejected. Key words: Instant tooke flour (ITF), matooke, malnourished, rehabilitation.

Relative susceptibility of banana cultivars to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum

The banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is the most devastating disease of banana in Great Lakes region of East and Central Africa. The pathogen kills plants quickly and spreads rapidly over a large area in a short time making the disease one of the most dreaded in banana. The disease affects almost all varieties of commonly grown banana cultivars. Some knowledge of the relative susceptibility of banana cultivars would be extremely useful and could be a basis for management strategies for BXW. Ten banana cultivars were evaluated for their relative susceptibility to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. All the ten cultivars were tested by injecting bacterial inoculum in pseudostem of in vitro plantlets as well as potted plants. The various banana cultivars showed significant differences in susceptibility to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. The beer banana cultivar ‘Pisang Awak’ and dessert cultivars ‘Dwarf Cavendish’, ‘Giant Cavendish’, and ‘FHIA-17’ were found to be highly susceptible, where as East African Highland banana cultivar ‘Nakitembe’ was found to be least susceptible. The other cultivars ‘Mpologoma’, ‘Mbwazirume’, ‘Sukali Ndiizi’ and ‘FHIA-25’, were found to be susceptible. Diploid parent ‘Musa balbisiana’ was found to be resistant. This study clearly highlights the need for development of new resistant cultivars for BXW disease control, as all the commercial cultivars are susceptible.

Patterns of Seed Set in East African Highland Banana (Musaspp.) Hybrids

Genetic improvement of bananas is hampered by male and female sterility in most of the cultivated varieties. In addition, the triploid status of the edible varieties results in very low seed set during artificial hybridizations. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal periods in the year for seed set in East African Highland banana hybrids by examining seed set patterns in a number of varieties over different times of the year. In this article, we present the results of data collected in two different experiments that covered a period of six years. In the first experiment, fifteen female varieties were each crossed with a highly fertile male species, Musa acuminata ssp. burmannicoides ‘Calcutta 4’ from January 1995 till December 1997. In the second experiment nine female varieties (not exclusive of the first) were each crossed with male parents, ‘TMB2x7197-2’, ‘TMB2x5105-1’, and ‘TMB2x8075-7’ from January 1998 till December 2000. One of the interesting insights obtained from this study is...

PRE-EMPTING PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODE LOSSES ON BANANA IN AFRICA: WHICH SPECIES DO WE TARGET?

ISHS III International Symposium on Banana: ISHS-ProMusa Symposium on Recent Advances in Banana Crop Protection for Sustainable Production and Improved Livelihoods PRE-EMPTING PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODE LOSSES ON BANANA IN AFRICA: WHICH SPECIES DO WE TARGET?

Quantifying bunch weights of the East African Highland bananas ( Musa spp. AAA-EA) using non-destructive field observations

In banana on-farm studies in the East African Highlands, quantification of production has been difficult because plants are at different stages of development at any given time. Production is continuous and quantification would therefore require permanent presence of an observer. Hence, most on-farm surveys have resorted to estimations from farmers or ‘experts’ through recall or visual qualitative observations. These methods are highly inaccurate. This study aims to develop and validate allometric relationships for quantitative estimation of bunch weights, based on rapid, inexpensive and non-destructive methods of data collection that take into consideration genotypic, spatial and developmental variability. The study was conducted in 179 farmer fields in central, south, southwest, and east Uganda. Bunch weights were estimated through linear regression with log-transformed girth of pseudostem at base and 1m, number of hands, and number of fingers in the lower row of the second lowest hand. The number of hands and fingers relate to the potential sink size (i.e. bunch), and the girth at base and 1m were used as a proxy for pseudostem volume, which relates to the potential of the plant to fill the sink. Bunch weight was significantly ( P ≤ 0.001) and positively ( R 2 = 0.73) related to log-transformed pseudostem volume, and number of hands and fingers. When data were partitioned and regressed, regression coefficients did not differ significantly for cultivars (i.e. Enyeru, Kibuzi, Nakabululu and Nakitembe), developmental stages (flowering, early fruiting, late fruiting and full maturity), regions (central, south, southwest and east Uganda), foliar and soil N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations. Data partitioning improved the accuracy of prediction significantly for different cultivars, regions, and foliar Ca, but not for bunch developmental stages, foliar N, P, K and Mg and soil N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations. However, the residuals of all the regressions of partitioned data correlated highly ( R 2 between 0.92 and 1.00) to those of the regression based on pooled data. On validation of the regression based on pooled data, the bias (−9.97%) and modeling efficiency statistic (0.64), suggested that predictions were not always accurate. Still, the total predicted bunch weights were higher than the observed bunch weight by only 2%. This study therefore concludes that the regression derived using pooled data is suitable for on-farm prediction of bunch weight, for the East African Highland cooking banana, regardless of genotypic, developmental and spatial variations.

Relationship between soil properties, crop management, plant growth and vigour, nematode occurrence and root damage in East African Highland banana-cropping systems: a case study in Rwanda

Abstract Parasitic nematodes are widespread in Musa cropping systems in African lowlands where they are known to limit crop production. However, their distribution is very poorly known in the large parts of the East African Highland banana ecology. We carried out a survey in 188 fields in Rwanda to assess and understand nematode occurrence and damage under a wide range of agroecological conditions. Altitude varied from 900 to 1800 m above sea level and soil types were distinctly different in the five eco-regions sampled and derived from diverse parent materials; i.e., Ruhengeri (Andosol), Gitarama-Butare (Acrisol), Kibungo (Nitisol), Gashonga (Ferralsol) and Bugarama (Fluvisol and Vertisol). Crop management practices, root health parameters and nematode infection in roots were recorded for a single East African highland banana cultivar (Intuntu, AAA-EA). Plant-parasitic nematodes from five genera were identified: Pratylenchus goodeyi, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Meloidogyne spp., Radopholus similis and Hoplolaimus pararobustus. Pratylenchus goodeyi was the dominant species in all eco-regions except in Bugarama (lowland). Only the presence of P. goodeyi significantly correlated with root necroses. Altitude was strongly correlated with root densities of P. goodeyi and R. similis. A possible negative impact by P. goodeyi on banana yields was masked by the fact that nematode populations were positively correlated with high plant density and/or mulching practices, which led to relatively high plant vigour irrespective of soil type. Therefore, controlled field experiments will be needed to assess whether root necrosis caused by P. goodeyi at high altitude (&gt;1400 m) actually has a detrimental impact on banana yields, similar to that observed for root-lesion nematodes at lower altitudes.

High-Frequency Shoot Regeneration of Various Cultivars of Banana (Musa sp.)

ABSTRACT An efficient, simple, and rapid regeneration system was established for bananas (Musa sp.) using sections of corm containing intercalary meristematic tissues as explants. Six different cultivars of banana (‘Mpologoma’, ‘Nakitembe’, ‘Mbwazirume’, ‘Pisang awak’, ‘Sukali ndiizi’, and ‘FHIA-17’) with diverse genetic constitution and ploidy levels were regenerated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mgl−1 of 6-benzylaminopurine. All the cultivars showed relatively high regeneration efficiency. About 93–97% of the explants regenerated, producing, on average, 12–13 shoots from whole section and 16–19 shoots in total from quarter pieces of each section. Regeneration from intercalary meristematic tissues offers a simple, efficient method for transformation of a broad range of banana cultivars, including East African Highland bananas.

Altered Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Tissue Culture-Induced Off-Type Plants of East African Highland Banana (Musa AAA East Africa)

Altered Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Tissue Culture-Induced Off-Type Plants of East African Highland Banana (Musa AAA East Africa)

Karyotypic and 2C Nuclear DNA Size Instability in vitro Induced Off-Types of East African Highland Banana (Musa AAA East Africa)

Karyotypic and 2C Nuclear DNA Size Instability in vitro Induced Off-Types of East African Highland Banana (Musa AAA East Africa)