Introduction, Evaluation and Adoption of an Exotic Banana (Musa AAB cv ‘Popoulu’) (EC320555) to Kerala, India

Introduction, characterization and evaluation of exotic Musa germplasm has been undertaken at the Banana Research Station (BRS), Kannara, Kerala since 1994, under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Tropical Fruits, with the view to widen genetic base of this important crop. An exotic cultivar ‘Popoulu’ belonging to the Maia Maoli/Popoulu group of the AAB genomic group was characterized and evaluated under Kerala growing conditions. Results revealed that ‘Popoulu’ is a potential dessert and cooking exotic banana cultivar, highly suited for preparation of chips with a recovery of 33%, similar to ‘Nendran’. The higher bunch weight of ‘Popoulu’ contributes to higher yield of chips. ‘Popoulu’ has great potential for popularization amongst farmers of Kerela, as a profitable cultivar to complement ‘Nendran’ ecotypes.