Solution : Improved Varieties of Banana for the African Highlands

Résumé

Production of bananas in the Great Lakes region has stagnated. For example in Uganda, yields are as low as 5 30 t ha-1 year-1 compared to a potential 70 t. Banana bunch weights have dropped from 60 kg to 10 kg or even less. In large part this is because traditionally cultivated varieties of the East African Highland bananas are susceptible to several pests and diseases. Declining soil fertility and drought further undermine production. Low banana yields result in food shortages that place dependent communities at risk of hunger. Introduction of high-yielding, disease resistant hybrids forms an integral part of technology packages to improve productivity. Through conventionally breeding, a range of improved varieties were developed that are less susceptible to black leaf streak and resistant to nematodes and bunchy top disease. Cultivating improved varieties reduces the risk of die-off in plantations.

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Breeding pipelines for cooking banana is enhanced as more high yielding and pest and disease resistant hybrids become available. Early field evaluation processes are accelerated by improving pollination and increasing the number of crosses made. A major breakthrough is the ‘NARITA’ hybrid line obtained by crossing the East African Highland Banana (EAHB, AAA group) with a wild variety (Calcutta 4, AA group). Hybrids are then selected for culinary quality, color, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and texture. Building upon the NARITA success, the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute has registered four Tariban cooking banana hybrids.

The recommended hybrid varieties in Tanzania are TARIBAN1 through 4. Clean swords of these varieties are available from the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute. Tissue culture plantlets are available from designated private laboratories in Tanzania. In Uganda, the National Banana Research Program of NARO in Kawanda maintains hybrid cooking banana varieties at on-station fields. They are accessible through NARO and domestic private enterprises. In Rwanda, evaluations show that NARITA hybrid and Mpologoma perform well at sites with varying altitude, soil fertility and rainfall. In DR Congo, traditional cultivars of cooking banana dominate but hybrid lines derived from NARITA are undergoing field evaluation.

Improved hybrid varieties have a compact bunch with more fruit, as well as heavier and larger fruit than traditional cultivars. Tall banana plants are normally vulnerable to wind damage but TARIBAN2 is particularly sturdy. The TARIBAN cultivars produce pronounced swords and few suckers except for TARIBAN3.

Conventional breeding of banana involves the crossing of edible varieties with wild seeded bananas. New molecular techniques assist in this approach. Resistance against nematodes is acquired by inserting foreign genes through a bacterial vector. Early field evaluation consists of monitoring single plants among large populations of hybrids, while preliminary yield trials assess entire rows of clonal hybrids. Climate and soil conditions have strong influences on the suitability of varieties so performance evaluation of banana hybrids must be done at multiple contrasting locations to ascertain performance, adaptability, and stability. This way specific or broadly adapted cultivars can be selected and commercially multiplied. Trials conducted over two production cycles provide reliable information at reduced costs. For example, TARIBAN varieties have been developed by testing of 27 hybrids in three sites over four. The final selection of prospective “Matooke” hybrids is guided by a product profile that includes host plant resistance to BLS, culinary acceptability, and bunch weight significantly higher than the standard local check. For obtaining satisfactory production, clean planting materials must be used alongside with balanced nutrient inputs and optimal spacing and stand management.

Commercialisation

Disponible dans le commerce

Exigences de Démarrage

Starter materials of disease resistant high-yielding varieties have been successfully distributed via farmer associations and NGOs in many countries for widespread nursery propagation of plantlets. Promoting hybrid banana among small-scale farmers requires information campaign about its nutritional benefits and easy access to quality planting material. This involves: 1) Identifying appropriate cultivars for specific climatic conditions, stand management, production targets, and market demands, 2) Awareness raising with multipliers, farmers and food processors about the benefits of new disease resistant high-yielding varieties, 3) Establishing local hubs for training on macro-propagation of healthy plantlets and good agronomic practices, and 4) Distributing clean material for multiplication.

Coût de Production

Breeding of improved banana varieties in the laboratory and greenhouse and testing their performance under field conditions requires significant long-term investment that must be funded by the public sector and donors. A switch to resistant varieties involves the purchase of new planting material which ranges between US $290 and $1,000 per hectare. Recommended inputs of animal manure and synthetic fertilizer for increasing yield and plant health cost US $670 to $3,300 per hectare. Labour costs to plant, manage and harvest plantations amount between US $700 and $1,300 per hectare.

Segmentation de la Clientèle

Subsistence and commercial banana producers can benefit from disease resistant varieties, especially in disease infested areas including. Scaling this technology also involves national research and extension systems, private companies, traders, and food processors.

Rentabilité Potentielle

Improved cultivars have greater bunch weigh and annual yield than common cultivars which results in higher food security and income for farmers. By example, the average bunch weight of TARIBAN varieties across different regions in Tanzania ranges from 26.5 to 34.2 kg, with total yields ranging from 16.0 to 20.3 t ha-1 per year, which is 68% - 117% higher than the traditional variety. Depending on the variety, management and yield, net annual profits from improved bananas will amount between US $1,200 and $9,500 per hectare in the first cycle and are between US $1,900 and $15,000 per hectare in ratoon cycles.

Exigences de Licence

Compliance with regulations on seed systems and plant health policies is required in many cases.

Solution en tant que Bien Public

Farmers, NGOs, and private enterprises have the right to multiply hybrid banana varieties without royalty since these cultivars are a Regional Public Good.