Evaluation of banana germplasm (Musa spp.) for frost tolerance under field conditions in subtropics

An experiment was conducted to identify frost tolerant accessions of dessert and culinary types of banana under field conditions. Among the dessert accessions, Kullan, Champa, No-44 and No-73-6 were found to be tolerant, whereas Sanna Chenkadali, Virupakshi, Walha, Lalvelchi, Poovan, Kali and No-73-5 were moderately tolerant. In culinary type banana, accessions Nalla Bontha, Pusa Chinia, Burdi Chinia Bheemkel, Dakhnisagar, Kothia, Bersain Gauria and Chinia Champa Pusa were observed as tolerant and accessions Beula, Chakkel, Mudhia, Batheesa Paro, Landan Big, No-15, No-30, Bharharia Malbhog, Chakkia, Bhos, Kachkel, Batheesa Local and B.B. Batheesa were moderately tolerant. It was also observed that higher proportion of A genome resulted in the greater susceptibility to frost injury, while accessions with high proportion of B genome recorded less frost injury.