Performance of exotic and local banana varieties

Abstract

Abstract : Performance of three exotic and four local banana varieties was studied under field conditions.. Champa, Kabri and Sabri had taller plants (2.61 to 3.21 m), while Basrai and Mehersagar produced dwarf plant (1.60 to 1.45). Plants height of Amritsagar and Lacatan were of intermediate type (2.08 to 2.13). All varieties had base girth ranged from 0.59-0.72m. Amritsagar, Champa, Lacatan and Sabri had narrower neck (0.41 to 0.47 m) as compared to Basrai, Kabri and Mehersagar which had wide neck (0.50 to 0.53). The varieties had number of green leaves ranging from 14.20 to 18.20. Lacatan produced maximum number of suckers (19.02) and Champa produced the least number (9.73). Basrai took minimum days to harvest (363.83), which was followed by Amritsagar (372.26) and Mehersagar (383.20). While Champa, Kabri, Lacatan and Sabri took duration 400.28- 439.75 days to harvest. Amritsagar (9.24 kg/plant), Lacatan (10.65) and Sabri (8.71) produced low yield. Kabri had maximum fruit yield (16.85) which was followed by Mehersagar (16.14), Basrai (15.65) and Champa (13.36).