ISHS Acta Horticulturae 531: II ISHS Conference on Fruit Production in the Tropics and Subtropics
THE EVALUATION OF PROMISING NEW BANANA CULTIVARS AND SELECTIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA |
| Authors: | K. Eckstein, C. Fraser, J. Husselmann, E.M. Hobson |
| Keywords: | Musa AAA, breeding, crop physiology, disease resistance |
| Abstract:
Five banana cultivar and selection trails were established in three major banana growing areas of South Africa to improve the horticultural performance and fruit quality of the crop under subtropic climate. Over three crop cycles (P - R2) Grand Nain Israel outperformed Grand Nain ex. Central America and Chinese Cavendish by 10%. Grand Nain Israel measured superior yields in two further cultivar trials and is therefore currently the top performing cultivar in South Africa. Alternatively Chinese Cavendish should be considered due to its advantages in cycle time. Compared to Grand Nain Israel, Goldfinger (FHIA 1) showed a yield reduction of 28% (P-R2 cycle), while SH 3640/10 (High Noon) showed a yield reduction of 21% (P+R1 cycle). Three further trials showed no difference in yield between the three imported Israeli selections Zelig, Natav, GNSI and the local Grand Nain Israel. In the local selection program the superior performance of four selections compared to Grand Nain Israel and Williams was confirmed for the R1 cycle and combined over the P+R1. KBC 1 & 2 (Chinese Cavendish selections), showed yields respectively 2/6% higher than the top performing Williams during the P+R1 cycle. RS3 & RSS3 (Williams or Dwarf Cav. selections) showed average yields (P+R1) being respectively 8/14% higher compared to Williams. In the same trial FHIA 17 was the overall top performing FHIA hybrid tested yielding 13% higher (P+R1 crop) than Williams. | |
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