Bananas and Food Security - Bioversity International

216 Les productions bananières / Bananas and food security – Session 1
fruit pulp is the popular nourished baby food. Rhizomes and pseudostem are also used to
cure many ailments by the north-eastern tribes.
Commercial cultivars growing in different regions are presented in Table 2.
Table 2. Varietal distribution of banana in India.
States Cultivars
1. Andhra Pradesh Dwarf Cavendish (AAA), Robusta (AAA), Amritpani (Rasthali, AAB),
Thella Chakrakeli (AAA), Karpura Chakrakeli (Poovan, AAB),
Monthan, Yenagu Bontha (ABB)
2. Assam Jahaji (AAA, Dwarf Cavendish), Borjahaji (AAA, Robusta), Honda (AAA),
Manjahaji (AAA), Chinia (AAB), Manohar (ABB), Kanchkol (ABB),
Chini Champa (AB), Bhimkol (BBB), Attikol (BBB), Jatikol, Digjowa,
Kulpait, Bhart Moni
3. Bihar Dwarf Cavendish (AAA), Alpan (AAB), Chinia, Chini Champa (AB),
Malbhog (AAB), Muthia (ABB), Kothia (ABB), Gauria (ABB)
4. Gujarat Dwarf Cavendish (AAA), Lacatan (AAA), Harichal (Lokhandi, AAA),
Gandevi Selection (AAA)
5. Karnataka Dwarf Cavendish (AAA), Robusta (AAA), Poovan (AAB), Rasabale (AAB,
Rasthali), Hill Banana (AAB), Monthan (ABB), Elakkibale (AB)
6. Kerala Nendran (AAB Plantain), Palayankodan (Poovan, AAB) Poovan
(Rasthali, AAB), Monthan (ABB), Red Banana (AAA)
7. Maharashtra Basrai (Dwarf Cavendish-AAA), Robusta (AAA), Lal Velchi (AAB),
Safed Velchi (AB), Rajeli (AAB, Nendran), Grand Naine (AAA),
Sindurni (AAA), Hanuman (AAA), Ardhapuri (AAA)
8. Tamil Nadu Virupakshi (AAB), Robusta (AAA), Red Banana (AAA), Poovan (AAB),
Rasthali (AAB), Nendran (AAB), Monthan (ABB), Karpuravalli (ABB),
Sakkai (ABB), Peyan, Matti (AA)
9. West Bengal & Champa (AAB), Mortman (AAB, Rasthali), Amrit Sagar (AAB),
Orissa Giant Governor (AAA) ,Lacatan (AAA), Monthan (ABB)
Promising hybrids
H-1 (Agniswar x Pisang Lilin). It is a promising hybrid owing to short cropping cycle
resistance to leaf spot, Fusarium wilt and burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis).
Medium tall plant, supporting 14-16 kg bunch without propping. Elongated fruits turn
attractive golden yellow on ripening. Slightly acid fruits vanish upon full ripening with
high sugar content. H-1 has a remarkable early ratooning ability completing four crop
cycles in three years. Multilocational trials have shown its acceptability among growers
and consumers especially in Andhra Pradesh.
H-2 (Vannan x Pisang Lilin). This hybrid developed at Kannara is a medium stature
plant growing upto 7-8 ft. Crop cycle is short with bunch coming to harvest in 11-12
months. Average weight of the bunch ranges from 15-20 kg with short, stout, dark green
Poovan like fruits which are arranged very compactly. Fruits are slightly acid with
pleasant sweet-sour aroma. Tolerance to leaf spot diseases and nematodes make it a
suitable for subsistence cultivation.