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Advanced Musa yield trial at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station, Kade; 2: banana weevil and nematode resistance
Abstract
The Plantain and Banana Improvement Program (PBIP) of IITA has developed black Sigatoka resistant tetraploid hybrids of plantains (PITA) and cooking banana (BITA). The main selection criteria were black Sigatoka resistance, yield, and fruit quality. However, it was felt necessary to also determine the resistance of these accessions to natural infestation by banana weevil and nematodes which are the most important pests of plantains. This report concerns weevil and nematode damage during the first cycle. However, earlier work at Kade involving three local cultivars indicated that populations of weevil and nematodes take some time to build up. Consequently, their damaging effects may not be observed until after the first crop. Thus, for this type of trial, it is important that observations are made over a relatively long period of time, at least 3-4 cropping cycles, for conclusive interpretations to be made.