Genetic variability in banana cultivars under Assam conditions

An investigation was laid out to assess growth and yield performance of twenty banana cultivars and also to study the extent of genetic variation under Assam conditions. The performance study revealed that local cultivars of Assam viz., Bhutmanohar, Bharatmoni and Kachkal exhibited superiority in terms of growth parameters, while commercial cultivar Barjahaji was found most promising in terms of yield and yield attributing parameters. The highest GCV and corresponding PCV were observed in leaf area among growth parameters and in finger weight among yield attributing parameters indicating vast potential for genetic improvement of these two traits. Additive genetic control for the characters leaf area, LAI and pulp: peel ratio was recorded as these parameters registered higher GA, heritability and GCV. This indicates the suitability of these parameters for simple directional selection.