Hybridisation in banana - Cytomorphological evaluation of hybrids and embryo culture studies

Abstract

Investigations on the evaluation of three banana hybrids evolved in Kerala Agricultural University t vis. Agniswar x Pisanglilin, Mannan x Pisanglilin and Vannan x Pisanglilin and standardisation of embryo culture technique for hybrid, seed* of banana were carried out,in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture during the year 1987-88 The hybrids were evaluated for their morphological characters duration aspects, bunch characters, finger characters and quality aspects. Male and female fertility status of the hybrids were also studied. The three hybrids differed significantly for the characters studied. Among the hybrids, Agnisvar s Pisanglilin was the dwarfeat (228*33 can) and had maximum number of functional leaves (it flowering. The hybrid Hannan x Pisanglilin recorded highest values for total duration (210.33) duration of male phase (111.67 days) finger weight (114.55 g) acidity (0.67) reducing sugers (15.38 per cent) end total sugers (16.79 per cent). The hybrid Vannan x Pisanglilin recorded the highest values for duratlon of female phase (7 days) bunch weight (12.70 kg) number of fingers (127.67) and pulp peal ratio (4,6)