Performance of banana cultivars under Indian west coast conditions

Abstract

The growth characters of eight banana cultivars were studied to assess their performance under west coast conditions. The cultivars, Boodibale (ABB), Karibale (ABB) and Rasthali (AAB) were found to be taller and more vigorous than the others, whereas the cultivar Robusta (AAA) was the dwarfest. The crop duration was more in the tall varieties and the least in the medium tall cultivar, Nendran. The highest yield of 66.45 t/ha was recorded by the cultivar Robusta (AAA) and the lowest yield by Ney Poovan (AB) (28.42 t/ha). The cultivar Poovan (AAB) registered the maximum number of fruits per bunch (140.9), whereas it was the least in Nendran (47.8). Each fruit in Nendran weighed on an average 268.9 g. The total soluble solids of ripe fruit pulp was the maximum in Ney Poovan (AB) (30.33%) and the least in Robusta (AAA) (20.09%). Edible to non-edible ratio of fruit was the highest in Rasthali (AAB) (5.22) and least in High Gate (AA) (1.79). The cultivar Robusta (AAA) is heavy yielder; but with regard to quality and other characters Rasthali (AAB) appeared to be superior.